capacity building needs for small scale aquaculture farmers

8/11/2019 Capacity Building Needs for Small Scale Aquaculture Farmers

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For Sustainability and Competitiveness

CAPACITY BUILDING NEEDS FOR SMALL SCALE

AQUACULTURE FARMERS

I. Introduction

This is a synthesis of the capacity building needs assessment of small scale

aquaculture farmers of five groups of commodities. The assessments were carried out

in five ASEAN countries between October 2008 and February 2009, with each

country working on one commodity group, as follows: (i) freshwater cage and pond

culture of indigenous species in Cambodia, (ii) coastal cage culture of marine

species i.e. seabass Lates calcalifer and grouper (various species) in Indonesia, (iii)

farming of red seaweeds that yield the phycocolloid carageenan i.e. Eucheuma,

Kappaphycus sp in the Philippines, (iv) cage culture in freshwater bodies of Niletilapia (Oreochromis sp. particularly the red variety locally named Pla Tub Tim or

Ruby fish) in Thailand, and (v) brackishwater culture of black tiger shrimp

(Penaeus monodon) in Vietnam.

The basis of this synthesis are, for the most part, primary information obtained

through the field surveys conducted by each countrys needs assessment team.

1. Nature of and methodology for the synthesis

a. Capacity building issues

The synthesis broadly identifies the capacity building issuesfor farmers engaged in

the production of each commodity. To do this, a table was constructed that lists the

(i) statements of constraints, problems and situations extracted from the assessment

reports and (ii)) gives priority ratings to five types of development actions to

address the constraint, problem or situation..

b. Development actions

The development actions are (1) Policy, Regulations and Sector Management

(PRM), (2) Research and Technology Development (RTD), (3) Training and

Extension (T&E), (4) Information Development and Dissemination (IDD) and (5)


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or resuming one after an economic or natural shock -- by invariably cash-strapped

and resource-poor small farmers.

Finally, the first column Policy, Regulation and Management of the sector (which

would include institutional development or re-adjustments or reform) is essentially

the over-arching action. Policy support is needed to implement any one development

action or all the other development actions. It is listed here as a distinct development

action because there would be situations when, for example, (a) training or research or

information would be rendered ineffective by overlapping jurisdictions of various

agencies, or (b) there is no clear responsibility from any one agency for R & D; or

(c). there is no policy, or policy is poorly communicated and understood by farmers

and industry; or (d) the farmers are not organized, and so on. In such cases, the keyto the constraint/s is appropriate policy.

c. Scale used for priority rankings

A scale of 1 to 5 is used for assigning priority rankings, 1 being top priority.

2. Purposes

This synthesis is meant to serve three purposes. The immediate and primary purpose

is to enable the identification of priority training courses under the project; the

secondary and medium term purpose is to serve as a guideline for determining policy

support and services for the farmers; and the third and long-term, purpose is to serve

as a base scenario for subsequent assessments or evaluation of the impacts of the

development actions..

a Immediate: Development of training courses for farmers and concernedstakeholders

The main and immediate purpose of this synthesis is to provide a guideline for the

Project Team and the five country teams to identify the priority training needs for

farmer groups as well as other stakeholders (as suggested by the project document).

These are described in varying scope and levels of detail. The synthesis is aimed at

giving a more focused guideline for narrowing down the scope of listed training

needs so that the training programs to be developed address the most important and

key capacity building needs that can be most effectively addressed by Training.

This should supplement the field information collected by the consultant for Training

To achieve this primary purpose, this synthesis is suggested to be used by the Project

Team and the national teams to (a) arrive at a provisional decision as to the priority


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integrated development services program for small farmers. The specific

development actions are as follows:

policy and sector management including regulations and voluntary

management schemes such as GAPs, COCs, and BMPs,

promotion and support of farmers associations,

research and technology development

training and extension,

information and development support communication,

and financial support

To achieve this purpose, this synthesis could be used as a basic working paper

subject to elaboration, revision and refinements as well as most importantly,

appropriate revisions of the priority rankings (after the training programs have been

conducted and results written up) -- for the final regional policy workshop.

c. Long term: A base scenario document for subsequent evaluation of

impacts of the development actions.

The third and broader purpose of this synthesis is to serve as a base document for the

fisheries development and management agency in cooperation with industry to assessthe impacts of their development actions. The current scenario is reflected by the

statements of capacity building issues, development actions or interventions to

address them and their respective priority rankings. This scenario can be the basis

for subsequent assessments. The assessment would include changes in the scenario or

situation as a result of the development actions.

II. Capacity building issues

The reference data for this section are found in Annex 1 Tables A, B, C, D and E.

1. Regional overview

In line with the thrust of the project, the issues, constraints and problem statements

provided in the assessment reports were classified into (i) those that impact on

sustainability and (ii) those that impact on competitiveness. The assessments indicate

that generally addressing technological constraints and farm management practiceswould improve sustainability and increasing capacities for accessing markets would

improve competitiveness. The effects of development actions that are focused on

either sustainability or competitiveness are not mutually exclusive. This is typified in

the Best Management Practices pilot projects that have been implemented in India,

Indonesia, and Vietnam with the collaboration of NACA and other institutions.


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better technical services for farmers associations to improve their capacity to adopt

and implement BMPs and institutionalise the process of adoption.

Sustainability issues identified in the assessments are mostly associated with culture

technology, management, the environment, health of the stock, seed and feed.

Competitiveness issues included market information and access, contractual relations

between farmers and traders/buyers/or input suppliers, and the quality of products.

These apply to the farmers and/or the industry as a whole. Product quality is

invariably linked to the technical components of the farming system particularly feed,

water quality, care, and the health of the stock. The latter is especially critical if

farmers use chemicals and drugs to treat the stock.

The commodities that are export oriented such as shrimp, marine finfish, and red

tilapia have to be competitive in the export market. A reverse, but not unusual case

in competitiveness arises from Cambodia, with the local products having to compete

in the Cambodian market with the same species that originate from Vietnam. The

seaweed farmers in the Philippines are currently benefiting from a high demand for

raw materials, especially by China, and a sustained good price of seaweed products

in the world market. Immediate threats to sustainability however come in the form ofdeterioration of the environment in the traditional culture areas, while

competitiveness of the industry will face a stiff test from the developing seaweed

industry of other countries.

The problems of the shrimp farmers in the study areas in Vietnam typify the whole

range of hazards and risks that other shrimp farmers in South and Southeast Asia

have faced and continue to deal with from the biological such as poor seed quality,

lack of seed and diseases; environmental which is mainly water quality deterioration;financial and economic; and social. One of the three study areas however provides a

good example of how being organized and following good farming practices can

mitigate many of these risks.

The assessments give clear indications of the role of governments and industry in two

ways: by describing examples of useful initiatives to help the small farmers and by

alluding to the shortcomings or simply lack of government efforts and actions; for

example, inadequate market promotion and information.

2. Issues and potential development actions by commodity

Based on the indicative priority rankings of development actions needed to address

each issue (again refer to Annex 1 Tables A, B, C, D and E), the following list was

drawn up which identifies the issues that have the highest priority under each


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Priority ranking 1

Long distance transport of seed and due to poor roads leads to high mortality rates during

transport andafter stocking due to stress

Competition from the usually abundant wild fish

Pangasius sp. pond farmers complain that their market and the price of their products are

influenced by fish originating from Vietnam and Thailand

An aquaculture cooperative does not exist, resulting in a lack of communication or

networks to exchange ideas or culture techniques, or to discuss solutions to problems

In many locations around the Great Lake, Mekong River, and along river systems, fish is

sold to customers at the farm gate. This practice is more common among small-scale or

traditional producers who process for subsistence purposes and localized sales

Priority ranking 2 and 3

The seed used for cage culture of snakeheads andPangasidsare collected from open

waters; farmers dependence on wild seed has constrained expansion

Availability of quality fish meal is a major constraint to the development of the feed

industry.

Little effort has been made to develop the pond culture practices

Lack of aquaculture inputs especially credit.

Rice field is near the homestead so it is easy to control and manage; poaching is oftenencountered, if the rice field is far from home.

Fish are transported by ox-carts, motorbikes and small trucks to urban markets. Also,

cages are towed to Phnom Penh from the Great Lake and Mekong areas so that fish can be

marketed alive

Overcrowding of fish results in a large amount of waste being discharged, causing water

quality

Feeding of Pangasiusrelies heavily on small wild fish caught from the fishing lots, thus

inputs to the system are relatively expensive

Inadequate water supply is a serious constraint in remote areas water bodies. Water supply

relies on rainwater to fill their ponds before starting to release fingerlings. Ponds, which

are small and dug manually cannot hold water for too long

The fishermen, fishing lot owners, local collectors and local fish processors operate

without any organized information system regarding prices, market demand, or annual

catch volumes

Research and Technology Development

Priority ranking 1

The seed used for cage culture of snakeheads andPangasidsare collected from open


The production of cultured Pangasianodon hypophthalmusand Channa micropeltesin

both ponds and cages has steadily declined, due to shortage of wild seed supply and

shortage of trash fish for feeding


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High mortality rates of Pangasius sp. and snakeheads (Channa sp) in the hot season,

particularly from March-May when water temperature is high and water flow is low.

Disease triggered by among others water pollution leading to fish kills

Belief among farmers that snakeheads do not easily accept pellet feed.

Long distance transport of seed and due to poor roads leads to high mortality rates during

transport andafter stocking due to stress


relies on rainwater to fill their ponds before starting to release fingerlings. Ponds, which

are small and dug manually cannot hold water for too long

Rice field (for rice-fish culture)has to be able to hold water at least3 to 4 months

Rice field does not flood (fields often flooded in rainy season).

Invasion of predator species especially snakeheads

For Training and Extension (indigenous freshwater fish cage and pond culture

(and rice fish system)

Priority ranking 1




quality


Belief among farmers that snakeheads do not easily accept pellet feed.


relies on rainwater to fill their ponds before starting to release fingerlings. Ponds are

small, dug manually and cannot hold water for long.

Problem of fish kills occurs during the summer season

Women would benefit from improvements in cooking technology and artificial feed

formulation

Rice field (for rice-fish culture)has to be able to hold water at least three to four months

Rice fields often get flooded in rainy season.

Rice fish culture suffer from invasion of predator species especially snakeheads


The seed used for cage culture of snakeheads andPangasidsare collected from openwaters; farmers dependence on wild seed has constrained expansion

The production of cultured Pangasianodon hypophthalmusand Channa micropeltesin




industry


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Coordination is weak between research institutions, university, NGOs and government

agencies implementing extension services

Heavy reliance on catching or buying trash fish for feed

Rice field is near the homestead so it is easy to control and manage; poaching is often

encountered, if the rice field is far from home





catch volumes.



traditional producers who process for subsistence purposes and localized sales

Information Development and Dissemination (indigenous freshwater fish cage

and pond culture and rice fish system)

Priority ranking 1


encountered, if the rice field is far from home.



catch volumes





quality


Belief among farmers that snakeheads do not easily accept pellet feed

Natural flooding or drought disrupts activities for long periods

NGO micro credit programs have high interest rates (5% per month)


agencies implementing extension services.

Problem of fish kills occurs during the summer season

Rice field has to be able to hold water at least three to four months

Rice field does not flood (fields often flooded in rainy season)

Invasion of predator species especially snakeheads

Lack of inputs: fertilization ponds and feeding of fish are generally low, which reflects

the limited amount and variety of inputs that can be obtained from the farming system.

Competition from the usually abundant wild fish


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marketed live.

Access to credit (indigenous freshwater fish cage and pond culture (and rice fish

system)

Priority ranking 1

Lack of aquaculture inputs

Lack of credit



marketed live


NGO micro credit programs have high interest rates (5% per month)




formulation

Heavy reliance on catching or buying trash fish for feed

Competition for market with the usually abundant wild fish

Pangasius sp. pond farmers often complain that their market and the price of their

products are influenced by imports of fish from Vietnam and Thailand

b. Coastal cage culture of marine (seabass and grouper) finfish (Indonesia)

Policy support, regulation and sector management (including organizing

farmers

Priority ranking 1

High cost of commercial feed

Deterioration of the sea waters due to domestic waste product as result of crowded

villages surrouding the waters

Water environmental control is urgently required to mitigate the adverse impacts of new

shrimp pond development and more crowded population

Mariculture zone need to be established in Lampung Bay and Batam to guarantee that theareas are particularly aimed for mariculture activities..

Low economy of scale in export shipment because aquaculture activities are scattered and

predominantly small scale units

It is common for grouper farmers in a certain area to establish a group. A number of

groups in a district assembles in a unit called Development Service Unit (UPP)


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Market chain of grouper is relatively simple. The farmers normally just inform the fish

collector. After reaching a certain quota level in certain location, the fish collector will

collect the fish. Methods of payment can be cash paid immediately after the fish are

weighed or delayed payment. Payment time is based on the agreement between the

farmer and the buyer which is commonly a week after the fish has been collected. Method

of payment is normally by transfer to the farmers bank account

To access the information on grouper and seabass price, generally fish farmers use a

cellular phone (Hand Phone) through sending text or sms to fish collecto

To increase the income of fish farmers in Lampung and Kepulauan Riau, it is required to

establish a business cooparation through a partnership. The partnership has been

established between exporters and fish farmers. This relationship mutually benefits both

parties. Partnership between fish farmers and UPP is also a common practice in manydistricts. Benefits include: accessible management, efficient productive cooperation. In

some areas the role of UPP can include production management, supply of production

inputs and marketing of harvest

Research and Technology Development (marine finfish culture)

Priority ranking 1

Lack of seed supply. Seeds mostly come from Java, which are often of low quality with

slow growth rate. Need for a networking on information and marketing on grouper andseabass seeds so that fish farmers will be able to obtain quality seeds and other

aquaculture inputs

Growing grouper and seabass in surveyed areas normally takes arround 8 to 9 months,

humpback grouper especially needs longer time which is 15 -18 months. Seabas

normally


High cost of investment -- at least Rp 50 million/unit/cycle

Time consuming; the average business cycle of aquaculture is more than a year High cost of commercial feed

Disease from fungus, bacteria and viruses attacking cultured grouper

Water environmental control is urgently required to mitigate the adverse impacts of new

shrimp pond development and more crowded population. Lack of fish farmers capability

and competency (knowledge, capital, information access, marketing accesses, etc)

Training and Extension (marine finfish culture)

Priority ranking 1 Disease from fungus, bacteria and viruses attacking cultured grouper

Lack of fish farmers capability and competency (knowledge, capital, information access,

marketing accesses, etc)


Time consuming; the average business cycle of aquaculture is more than a year\


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humback grouper especially needs longer time which is 15 -18 months. Seabas normally

takes 7-9 months to reach a minimum marketable size for export purpose which is 500

grams per pieces.






of payment is normally by transfer to the farmers bank account.


cellular phone (Hand Phone) through sending text or sms to fish collector. .


groups in a district assembles in a unit called Development Service Unit (UPP).




parties. Partnership between fish farmers and UPP is also a common practice in many

districts. Benefits include: accessible management, efficient productive cooperation. In


inputs and marketing of harvest..

Information Development and Dissemination (marine finfish culture)

Priority ranking 1


collector. After reaching a certain quota level in certain location, the fish collector willcollect the fish. Methods of payment can be cash paid immediately after the fish are







establish a business cooparation through a partnership. The partnership has beenestablished between exporters and fish farmers. This relationship mutually benefits both

parties. Partnership between fish farmers and UPP is also a common practice in many

districts. Benefits include: accessible management, efficient productive cooperation. In




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marketing accesses, etc).


groups in a district assembles in a unit called Development Service Unit (UPP)


slow growth rate. Need for a networking on information and marketing on grouper and

seabass seeds so that fish farmers will be able to obtain quality seeds and other

aquaculture inputs

Access to credit (marine finfish)

Priority ranking 1

High cost of investment -- at least Rp 50 million/unit/cycle

Time consuming; the average business cycle of aquaculture is more than a year

Credit support for small scale grouper and seabass farmers


High cost of commercial feed




humback grouper especially needs longer time which is 15 -18 months. Seabas normally

takes 7-9 months to reach a minimum marketable size for export purpose which is 500

grams per piece

c. Farming of red seaweeds (Philippines)

Policy support , regulation and sector management (including organizing

farmers)

Priority ranking 1

Seaweed production can be increased by expanding the seaweed farm size, used of

improved farming techniques and better quality seedlings.

Due to lack of capital, the farmers resort to micro-financing or informal loan providers.

Farmers are vulnerable to market, social and political forces because of weak

organization.

Farmers sell their produce to an independent local buyer called stocker who lives and

operates in the village. The advantage of selling the seaweeds to the stocker is that the

farmers can easily access cash advances without interest even before harvest. These kinds

of arrangements cannot be obtained directly from processors or traders. The negative

effect is that the buying price of the stocker is lower than that of other buyers


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Farmers running out of cash sell their seaweeds soon after drying; they get lower prices.

Sources of market prices information are from independent local buyers, traders, other

farmers or directly from processors and exporters either by word of mouth or SMS. (text

messages over the cellphone)

Volume of harvest and buying price are considerations in selling dried seaweeds produce.

Volume of ones harvest is used as a leverage to demand a higher price.

The presence of independent local buyers, traders, processors buying stations provide /the

seaweed farmers the best options for competitive prices.

Research and Technology Development (red seaweeds)

Priority ranking 1

Occurrence of seaweed diseases like ice-ice and epiphytism; prevalent during the summer

months.




Training and Extension: (red seaweeds)

Priority ranking 1

Poaching, typhoons and improper garbage disposals are problems.

Seaweed farmers do not practice record keeping. This results in poor financial

management that has important implications to cash management, investment, forecasting

and savings




Several typhoons hit the seaweed farms especially in Danajon every year and farms are

often destroyed or washed out.


months.

Farmers are vulnerable to market, social and political forces because of weak

organization.


farmers or directly from processors and exporters either by word of mouth or SMS. (text

messages over the cellphone)

BFAR and LGU both face the problem of budget in terms of hiring the right technical

people with expertise and also the number of people to correspond to the needs of

technical people to the areas or farm sites.

Information Development and Dissemination (red seaweeds)


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Volume of harvest and buying price are considerations in selling dried seaweeds produce.


The presence of independent local buyers, traders, processors buying stations provide the



Increasing seaweed production can be realized when farmers have access to credit and

other forms of financing.


Poaching, typhoons and improper garbage disposals are problems.


months. Farmers are vulnerable to market, social and political forces because of weak

organization.



and savings.

Farmers running out of cash sell their seaweeds soon after drying; they get lower prices.


farmers or directly from processors and exporters either by word of mouth or SMS. (textmessages over the cellphone)

Farmers sell their produce to an independent local buyer called stocker who lives and

operates in the village. The advantage of selling the seaweeds to the stocker is that the

farmers can easily access cash advances without interest even before harvest. These kinds

of arrangements cannot be obtained directly from processors or traders. The negative

effect is that the buying price of the stocker is lower than that of other buyers.


people with expertise and also the number of people to correspond to the needs oftechnical people to the areas or farm sites.

Access to credit (red seaweed)

Priority ranking 1

Increasing seaweed production can be realized when farmers can have access to credit and

other forms of financing.



Several typhoons hit the seaweed farms especially in Danajon every year and farms are

often destroyed or washed out.



d i


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The presence of independent local buyers, traders, processors buying stations provide /the


Freshwater cage culture of Red Tilapia (Thailand)

Policy support , regulation and sector management (including organizing

farmers)

Priority ranking 1

High cost of production and expensive fish feed stuff. (Ang Thong or AT, Nong Khai or

NK) Limited access to credit (AT, NK)

Low quality of environment (pollution) causes fish disease. (AT,NK)

Red tilapia culture in cages on a river carries with it a very high risk to the production

system. (AT)

Price of Red Tilapia is high and causes a limit to market promotion for low income

groups. (AT)

Contract system obstructs free market enterprise. (NK)

Government agencies respond to agriculture marketing but do not have policy or activities

to promote the Nile Tilapia market (both domestic and international). (AT)


Lack of savings for investment in fish culture. (AT,NK)

Loss of production as the major culture habitat is river and reservoir, and difficult to

control and monitor good environment. (NK)

Volume of production of Red Tilapia is low compared to that of Nile Tilapia. (AT)

Limited access to information for international trade for fish farmers. (NK)

Lack of action by exporters to exploit overseas markets while home growth markets

remain strong. (NK)

Lack of Tilapia/fish market expertise. (AT,NK)

Research and Technology Development (red tilapia cage culture)

Priority ranking 1

Low quality fish seed and death after a few months stocking. (AT, NK) There is still no information available for proper treatments to prevent/stop fish disease.

(AT,NK) )

No standard culture system. (AT)

Low quality of production (drug and chemical), therefore products cannot qualify for

international trade in EU, US. (AT,NK)


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Lack of knowledge and limited access to information for good practices of Tilapia culture.

(AT,NK)


groups. (AT)


NK)

Low net revenue can make farmers put off fish culture activity. (NK)

Fish disease cause mortalities in culture. (AT,NK)



system. (AT) Lack of knowledge and limited access to information for good practices of Tilapia culture.

(AT,NK)


groups. (AT)


Training and Extension (red tilapia cage culture)Priority ranking 1

Fish disease cause mortalities in culture. (AngThong ,NongKai)


(AT,NK)




High cost of production and expensive fish feed stuff. (Ang Thong or AT, Nong Khai orNK)



Low quality fish seed and death after a few months stocking. (AT, NK)

There is still no information available for proper treatments to prevent/stop fish disease.

(AT,NK) )


system. (AT) Loss of production as the major culture habitat is river and reservoir, and difficult to



Low quality of production (drug and chemical), therefore products cannot qualify for

international trade in EU US (AT NK)


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Information Development and Dissemination (red tilapia cage culture)

Priority ranking 1

Loss of production as the major culture habitat is river and reservoir, and difficult to


Limited access to information for international trade for fish farmers. (NK)

Lack of action by exporters to exploit overseas markets while home growth markets

remain strong. (NK)


Limited access to credit (AT, NK)

Low quality fish seed and death after a few months stocking. (AT, NK)

Fish disease cause mortalities in culture. (AT,NK)


(AT,NK) )




(AT,NK)


groups. (AT) Low quality of production (drug and chemical), therefore products cannot qualify for

international trade in EU, US. (AT,NK)





Access to cash capital (red tilapia cage culture)Priority ranking 1




Limited access to credit (AT, NK)


e. Brackishwater pond culture of black tiger shrimp (Vietnam)

Policy support, regulation and sector management (including organizing

farmers)

Priority ranking 1


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requirements on quality are becoming stricter.

It is difficult for tiger shrimp products to compete with white-leg shrimp in global markets

due to the normally higher price of P monodon. It makes the marketing of tiger shrimp

more difficult.

Farmers do not have sufficient information on market, gate price, export shrimp price,

exporting markets, importing tendency of importers, quantity of shrimp/seafood required

for processing, etc

Shrimp farmers in Kim Dong and Kim Trung sell shrimp for private companies in the

commune because of low harvesting. They do not harvest all the production like farmers

in Ham Ninh do but harvest gradually. Each day they sell some kg of shrimp caught by

using nets so the collecting price is fixed with shrimp weight. However, this selling

method does not offer much money for re-investment in the next crop. Information from the National Agriculture and Fishery Extension Center alludes protein

content in industrial feed as not up to the product quality claim in the label Competent

agencies had found 1 consignment of fish meals infected with melamine but no official

inspection was conducted by the State over the industrial feed used in aquaculture.

Accordingly, farmers are probably producing shrimps contaminated with growth

stimulant, fungi toxins, and antibiotic from feed. The misuse of fish veterinary drugs

adversely affects the farming ponds, the residues in the ponds mud and affects

commercial shrimp flesh.Priority ranking 2 and 3

Farmers in studied communes are faced with the risk of disease safety such as poor seed

quality, pathogens spreading in the water, disease-carriers such as dogs, cats, water

absorbed among farming ponds.

Mortality rates are high:

Dead shrimps due to bad quality: 14.9%.

Dead shrimp due to disease and water contamination: 33.8%.

Dead shrimps due to bad weather (long lasting severe sunny or raining days): 19%.Flash flood (21%).

Storm (10.8%).

Emergency sale due to diseased shrimp and jelly fish infestation: 0,5%

Difficulty to adapt to quick changes in import regulations on of importing countries in

relation to TBT and SPS.

Farmers do not have sufficient information on market, gate price, export shrimp price,

exporting markets, importing tendency of importers, quantity of shrimp/seafood required

for processing, etc

Research and Technology Development (pond culture of black tiger shrimp)

Priority ranking 1

None



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Dead shrimps due to bad weather (long lasting severe sunny or raining days): 19%.Flash flood (21%).

Storm (10.8%).



Some individuals and business establishments overuse anti-biotic and chemicals that are

harmful to consumers health. This damages the prestige of Vietnam fisheries sector.

The control and management of waste discharged from farming ponds into surrounding

areas (whether the wastewater is treated? Drainage system is safe? Where thesewastewater go or whether it is used in other ponds).

Fish farmers are not financially able to set up the pond system as regulated in GAP, CoC,

BMP.

Difficulty to adapt to quick changes in import regulations on of importing countries in

relation to TBT and SPS.

A severe trading environment in the context of global price reduction, trade barriers, non-

tariff barriers, traceability, changes of taste, etc.

Farmers do not have sufficient information on market, gate price, export shrimp price,exporting markets, importing tendency of importers, quantity of shrimp/seafood required

for processing, etc

Vietnams fish processing and exporting enterprises remain focused on specific market

(e.g, main markets of Vietnamese shrimp are Japan and US), and not actively exploring

and developing new markets. Many enterprises export the same products to the same

markets, which makes them susceptible to the price pressure from importers. Some

enterprises even offer dumping prices to importers.

Information from the National Agriculture and Fishery Extension Center alludes proteincontent in industrial feed as not up to the product quality claim in the label Competent



Accordingly, farmers are probably producing shrimps contaminated with growth

stimulant, fungi toxins, and antibiotic from feed. The misuse of fish veterinary drugs


commercial shrimp flesh.

Information Development and Dissemination (pond culture of black tiger

shrimp)

Priority ranking 1



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areas (whether the wastewater is treated? Drainage system is safe? Where these

wastewater go or whether it is used in other ponds).

Farmers in studied communes are faced with the risk of disease safety such as poor seed

quality, pathogens spreading in the water, disease-carriers such as dogs, cats, waterabsorbed among farming ponds.


a.


b.


c. Dead shrimps due to bad weather (long lasting severe sunny or raining days): 19%.

d.

Flash flood (21%).

e.

Storm (10.8%)

f.


Fish farmers are not financially able to set up the pond system as regulated in GAP, CoC,

BMP.

A severe trading environment in the context of global price reduction, trade barriers, non-

tariff barriers, traceability, changes of taste, etc.

Input costs (feed, fuels, drugs and chemicals) increase quicker than output costs while

requirements on quality are becoming stricter.

It is difficult for tiger shrimp products to compete with white-leg shrimp in global markets

due to P monodons normally higher price. It makes the marketing of tiger shrimp moredifficult.

Vietnams fish processing and exporting enterprises remain focused on specific market

(e.g, main markets of Vietnamese shrimp are Japan and US), and not actively exploring

and developing new markets. Many enterprises export the same products to the same

markets, which makes them susceptible to the price pressure from importers. Some

enterprises even offer dumping prices to importers.


commune because of low harvesting. They do not harvest all the production like farmersin Ham Ninh do but harvest gradually. Each day they sell some kg of shrimp caught by

using nets so the collecting price is fixed with shrimp weight. However, this selling

method does not offer much money for re-investment in the next crop.

Information from the National Agriculture and Fishery Extension Center alludes protein

content in industrial feed as not up to the product quality claim in the label Competent



Accordingly, farmers are probably producing shrimps contaminated with growthstimulant, fungi toxins, and antibiotic from feed. The misuse of fish veterinary drugs


commercial shrimp flesh.

Access to cash capital (pond culture of black tiger shrimp)


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difficult.


commune because of low harvesting. They do not harvest all the production like farmers

in Ham Ninh do but harvest gradually. Each day they sell some kg of shrimp caught byusing nets so the collecting price is fixed with shrimp weight. However, this selling

method does not offer much money for re-investment in the next crop.


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III Capacity building needs

1. Regional overview

The assessments of issues and needs of the shrimp and marine finfish farming point to

the urgency of being well-organized and adopting best management practices. The

same pathway would enhance the ability of the producers of the other aquaculture

commodities (tilapia, seaweed and indigenous freshwater fish species) to raise a

successful crop and earn better returns while mitigating the adverse impacts of

aquaculture on the natural resources, the environment and on other economic sectors.

On the government side, the assessment teams for seaweed and for tilapia specificallyrecommend strengthening of the technical capacities of government extension

officers. Cambodia provides a specific example of government collaborating with

industry to devise a solution to a very urgent problem i.e. development of cost-

effective feed that would reduce or eliminate the use of by catch or trash fish.

Because of the need to reflect the results of each of the five assessment reports

separately, the presentation of the issues and training needs does not seem unified, and

is without a holistic perspective. This in a way is a reflection of one major issue

facing the small farmers the lack of a unified and integrated service provision for

them. In this regard, the basis for developing an integrated service could be

provided by the five development actions that are proposed to address the issues

revealed by the assessments and listed in this synthesis (please refer back to Section

II, Capacity building issues and Annex 1).

A mechanism for devising a holistic service and implementing an integrated

programme for small farmers is exemplified by the National Centre for Sustainable

Aquaculture of India.

2. Commodity/Country needs

a, Indigenous freshwater species cultured in cages and ponds (Cambodia)

The strategy which was identified during the inception workshop consisted of two

major activities, namely (i) training of trainers, (iii) training of farmers on seed

production and culture, and organization of farmers and developing a network ofthese organizations. A network of core seed producers has been established and is

gradually being strengthened and expanded. This network whose members include

many farmers that are both hatchery/seed producers and cage/ pond culturists is seen

by the authorities as a foundation for developing and promoting better management

practices. This would be on top of its core function of producing and distributing


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species fetched a relatively high price in the local market with a significant export to

neighboring countries such as Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia. On the other hand,

it was mentioned that aquaculturists in Vietnam continue to farm the species and have

begun selling their produce to Cambodia. In addition, some of the fish they use tofeed their stocks, other than their own marine by-catch, come from the small fish

caught from Cambodian freshwater bodies, which they purchase from Cambodian

suppliers.

In this regard, the strategy for capacity building would focus on technology

development and on training and extension. These would aim at:

Improving the technical skills of farmers in small scale feed production (farm

made dry feed), and feeding management Development, testing and adoption of commercial (pellet) feeds for Channa

macrocephalusand C. striata, which has been initiated by the Government in

collaboration with a manufacturer of commercial feed, CP Thailand, with the

result to be promoted for adoption through demonstration projects, farmer

training and extension . The technology package would include good cage or

pond management practices that includes feeding techniques and disease

management

Improvement of and training of women in better on-farm processingtechnology other than fermentation and smoking

The competition from imported live or fresh fish and from the capture fishery

sector suggests these capacity building needs:

Use the same well-developed marketing and distribution networks for capture

fisheries in inland fisheries.

Attracting fish traders by assurance of quality and volume of fish at a given

time. This can be achieved by synchronizing production and harvests, which is

facilitated by farmers being organized.

As domestic demand is strong for fish and fish products (ranging from live to

processed forms such as fish paste, fermented fish, dry salted fish, steamed

fish, smoked fish, and fish-sauce and other forms), quality of these product

forms should be improved and maintained. Organizing the farmers particularly

the women and providing them with training, capital and market assistance

would improve the livelihoods of the small fish farming households.

b. Coastal cage culture of marine (seabass and grouper) finfish (Indonesia)

The training needs for the fish farmers can be grouped into four skills, namely: 1)

business management, 2) entrepreneurship and organizing, 3) farm management and

culture technique, and 4) handling and marketing of fish products. These course

contents or topics were proposed by the national team as follows:


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7. Farm and business transactions recording

b. Entrepreneurship development

1.

Aquaculture workplan development2. Working standard and procedure arrangement

3.

Cooperation development, innovative and creative in working place

4. Creating effetive and productive working environment

5. Evaluating performance for improvement and problem solving

6.

Developing fish farmers groups or associations

7.

Accessing and analysing market information

8. Problem diagnosis

c. Farm management, culture technology and environmental management

1. Material and equipments planning and assembly

2. Construction, assembling and setting floating net cage and other

equipment

3. Identfying suitable waters and environment for grouper and seabass

4. Monitoring marine water quality

5.

Understanding and adopting Good Aquaculture or Best Management

Practices i.e.

a.

Identifying quality and health fish seed and source of quality

seeds

b.

Understanding good methods for seed stocking of grouper and

seabass and optimal density

c.

Natural food and artificial feed supply

d. Feeding

e.

Monitoring of growth and health of stock

f. Aquaculture technique and net and equipment maintenance

g.

Identification and control for fish pests and diseasesh.

Sampling and grading methods

i. Harvest equipment provision

j.

Harvesting methods

k.

Handling and transportation

d. Marketing

1.

Operating information technology facilities

2.

Accessing market information3. Selecting prospective buyer and exporter

4.

Marketing and selling of harvested fish

5. Understanding the methods and procedures for payment

6. Understanding negotiation methods and committing with the established

agreement


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a whole is also in the long run threatened by expanding production and improvement

of colloid quality in other red seaweed growing countries.

The needs assessment report on the commodity focused on the strengthening of thegovernments capability to provide technology and training; organization of the

farmers and forging linkages between the farmers organizations and research and the

processing/export industry; easy access to credit so that the farmers -- all of whom

are small and relatively poor -- can expand production and adopt improved farming

technology, which requires higher farm investment. It also emphasized the improved

ability to sell their products on better terms. The capacity building activities are

listed as follows:

(a) . Training and extension

1. Re-training of government extension workers

2. Train leaders and representatives of farmers organizations as trainors on

improved seaweed farming techniques.

3. Municipalities where seaweed farming exist or feasible need to be identified

and local government extension workers, leaders and representatives of

farmers group and organizations selected and trained.

4.

A hands-on training is needed in various fields of seaweed production that

includes seedling selections, care and maintenance, site specific farming

methods, seaweed health and diseases, post harvest processing including

drying, storing and packing.

5.

Hire an expert on seaweed mariculture to conduct the training.

(b). Organization and linkages

1.

Assist in strengthening farmers organizations by conducting training on basic

of financial management, preparation of project feasibility study and value

formation seminars.2.

Develop strong linkage between farmers organizations with the market and

key industry stakeholders;

3.

Encourage financial institutions to provide farmers organizations easy access

to credit and financing.

(c). Research

1.

Encourage the government and other research institutions to undertake studies

on seaweeds genetics, diseases and best farming and post harvest techniques;2. Undertake socio-economic and environmental studies on the seaweed farming

industry;

(d) Information

1.

Promote regional exchange of information and study tour for local and


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growth, high density of cages and many other economic development activities in the

culture area.

In both culture and marketing, the priority need is information on improvingproduction, quality control, marketing and credit. The list of information required

include new technology and knowledge to help improve production system and

reduce costs; fish disease and environmental monitoring useful to fish farmers and

fish traders and retailers; networking and institution development among the

producers and traders; and market informationincluding prices and requirements for

better market access.

Information about new markets was the main interest for the traders but not so muchfor farmers who enter into contracts with traders. Contracts based on credit (in cash

or input supply) with traders, supply input companies, frozen food businesses, or

with these through a broker, assure the farmers of capital or inputs for a crop. (If a

crop fails, the creditors usually provide more credit to start another crop) With this

arrangement, it is not surprising that the price is dominated by the trader or frozen

food business, or the middle man.

The assessment team identified the following very specific capacity building activities

for the farmers and other primary stakeholders in the two study areas.

Capacity

building

programme and

training courses

Target group Length Outputs

1.

Intensive

Tilapia

farmingsystem

Fishfarmer,

Fisheries Officer

(Fisheries biologist

and extension officer)

7 days

5 days

20 fish farmers can improve

knowledge in Intensive Tilapia

culture system for better qualityof production for certification

and can perform a

demonstration sites.

4-5 DOF officers can improve

experience and hand-on training

and transfer technology on

Intensive Tilapia farming to fish

farmer and field extensionofficer.

Manual for intensive Tilapia

production system.

2.

On-farm

Tilapia Fishfarmer,

Fisheries Officer

Long-term

monitoring Report on pilot test/project of

on farm management and


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management to control

production quality.

3.

Tilapia fish

farmerassociation

(TFFA)

establishment

Fishfarmer

Fish trader/ exporter

1 year 2 Tilapia fish farmer

associations establishment inNongkhai and Ang-thong

Province

Reports of TFFA

4.

Strengthenin

g Tilapia

market

information

Fish farmer,

Fish trader/

exporter/middle man

Fisheries Officer

(Fisheries biologistand extension officer)

3 year Report of Tilapia trade

Report of Tilapia Culture

Promotion Project, DOF,

Thailand

e. Brackishwater pond culture of black tiger shrimp (Vietnam)

A large part of the capacity building requirements of shrimp farmers in the three

study areas could be carried out with the development and adoption of best

management practices and their being organized. One of the three surveyed areas,Ham Ninh, does provide a good example of farmers being organized for mutual

assistance to mitigate risks or cope with risk impacts. The second column in the table

below, i.e. proposed solutions, identifies the training and information needs for

farm management and policy as well as institutional support for a successful crop and

better access markets.

Water supply quantity and quality is a major problem in all three communities

surveyed, which could be remedied with coordination with the water managementauthority, and by a coordinated intake and discharge as well as cooperation in

establishing and using water treatment facilities.

Market access is constrained by a cascade of problems that begin with quality of seed

and quality of water which impact on product quality; use of chemicals and drugs to

prevent or treat infections; suspect feed that might contain banned substances; post

harvest handling; and the failure of authorities to provide adequate marketing

assistance.

The constraints and their solutions are classified under three outcomes, namely, higher

productivity, better economic return and product quality:

i. Higher productivity


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cheap price.

5. Channel system is improper with

shrimp farming practices because this

system is designed to serve sedge andrice production.

6. No water supply pond and waste

water pond available.

7. Fresh water inlet system to the

farming areas is incomplete so that it

is difficult for shrimp to grow out.

8.

Limited investment of farmers in

shrimp farming.

visual appearance; to manage

water of shrimp farming

ponds; to manage environment

of farming areas; the way totreat water before discharge

into environment; to design

farming ponds; to control and

prevent disease; to manage

feed and feeding as well as

drugs and chemicals.

2.

Train farmers on the selection

of seeds. They should select,inspect and decide to buy

qualified seeds with clear

origin.

3.

Hold fieldtrips to small-scale

farming areas towards

community-based

management.

4.

Provide guidance on

establishment of community-

based management board and

set up regulation on farming

areas.

5.

Set up communication channel

between aquaculture

management board and

provincial fisheries extension

center to support farmers moreeffectively.

6.

To manage the irrigation and

drainage system and water

supply schedule in a

harmonized manner,

representatives of community

based aquaculture management

board should work withcommune Peoples Committee

on the timing and volume of

fresh water supply

7.

Improve, upgrade water inlet

and outlet channels. The land


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In Hm Ninh

1.

Degraded environment leads to the

regular disease epidemic.2. Farmers do not have opportunity to visit

other successful places.

3. Limited investment of farmers in shrimp

farming.

4.

No water supply pond and waste water

pond available.

In Hm Ninh

1.

Conduct fieldtrips to adjacent

shrimp farming areas.2. Improve and provide training

on advanced and

environmental-friendly shrimp

farming techniques.

3.

Improve, upgrade water inlet

and outlet supply channel.

Management Board should

discuss with communePeoples Committee and

members to dedicate 20-30%

out of total farming areas for

water supply ponds and

wastewater ponds.

4.

Provide capital for farmers.

5. Find stable output sources.

ii.

Better economic return

Constraints Proposed solutions

In Kim ng, Kim Trung

1. Farming practices are conducted in

spontaneous manner so the farming skill

and pond management skill are limited.

Farmers do not know how to makeplanning, seasonal calendar as well as

cost and income statement after one crop.

2.

Poor quality seeds, weak management of

farm pond so feed conversion is low.

3.

Short capital leads the debts in purchase

of feed, drugs and byproducts so they

have to buy at higher price. Some

households cannot afford the purchase indebt so they use homemade feed. This

leads to spread of disease, shrimp is small

and it is difficult to control the

environment. Cost is increased for buying

drugs and bio-products to improve the

Provide training for farmers on

farming skills, management of

farming ponds, management of

finance, planning skills.


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In Hm Ninh

1.

Owners of farming ponds do not know

how to effectively manage, makeplanning and prepare economic cost and

profit statement after one farming crop.

2. Short capital so they have to buy feed,

drugs, bio-products in debt. In such a

case, they have to pay at higher price.

3. This is small-scale farming area so there

is no dealer authorized by feed or bio-

product production plants so that inputcosts are higher.

4.

Industrial feed quality is out of control,

reduced water quality and weak

management capacity so the feed

coefficient is high (1.5-1.7).

5.

Products are highly appreciated (gate

price is VND 4,000 5,000 higher than

that in other adjacent areas) but it is not

formed as commodity so collectors from

dont reach it plants for higher price.

6. Input costs, i.e. feed and seed are

increasing but gate price is reduced.

7.

High bank interest rates

8. Provide training for farmers

on farming skills,

management of farmingponds, management of

finance, planning skills.

iii.

Better product quality

Constraints Proposed solutions

1.

Common inlet and outlet channel.

2. Source of water quality is not strictly

controlled.

3.

Quick degradation of environment. Shrimps

are infected with disease whereas 20,6% of

farmers buy treatment drugs based onrecommendation of drug sellers, 18% of

farmers buy drugs based on their

experiences, 6,6% of farmers buy according

to usage stated in the cover or leaflets of the

drug stores, only 22,5% buy drugs according

1.

Improve water channel and

distribution systems.

2.

Improve awareness on negative

impact of upstream-polluted water

and capacity of negotiation when

detecting pollution sources thatmay affect upstream water quality.

3. Disseminate information related to

the management of drugs,

chemicals, insertion of

miscellaneous substance into


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bioproducts management issued by host

agencies as well as not aware of the negative

effect when misusing drugs.

5.

Farmers do not know how to prevent cross-infection or line-infection.

6. Shrimps are contaminated during harvesting

(in case where middlemen do not have

specialized vehicle for on site purchase).

5.

Provide training on responsible

farming.

6.

Provide training on method to

control line and cross infection.7. Provide guidance for small-scale

farmers on harvest techniques to

avoid contamination.


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IV. Conclusion and Suggested Action

The priority capacity building needs suggest specific training needs. It is clear from

the commodity assessments that the respective governments have already designedand implemented training courses for farmers producing the five commodity groups.

The project, rather than duplicating these training programs or courses, needs to

determine a training course that addresses the core problems of sustainability and

competitiveness.. It need not be a long or broadly targetted training course. Its

immediate purpose is to serve as a pilot activity that can be subsequently built on and

expanded by the government and industry as well as other institutions providing

services to the farmers.

The problems and priority needs strongly point to a BMP-oriented training program

in which the capacity building needs for technology application, market access,

organizing and managing an organizationare embedded. The course contents or

indications of course contents are listed in Section III. The Project Team and the

National Assessment Teams can refer to the list of Priority 1 issues, constraints and

problems (in Section II) to validate the suggested course contents and revise them as

needed to design a BMP-oriented training course.

+++++


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32

ANNEX 1. CAPACITY BUILDING ISSUES BY COMMODITY

A. INDIGENOUS FRESHWATER FISH IN CAGES AND PONDS (CAMBODIA)

Issues and the priority development actions to address themCONSTRAINTS, PROBLEMS, SITUATIONS DEVELOPMENT ACTIONS/ priority

ranking(1 is highest)SUSTAINABILITY PRM RTD T&E IDD CA

a. Cage culture



4 3 1 2 5


quality.

3 4 1 2 5

Disease triggered by among others water pollution leading to fish kills 4 3 1 2 5

Belief among farmers that snakeheads do not easily accept pellet feed. 4 3 1 2The seed used for cage culture of snakeheads andPangasids are collected from open


2 1 3 5 4

The production of cultured Pangasianodon hypophthalmus and Channa micropeltes in



2 1 3 5 4


industry.

2 1 3 5 4

Feeding of Pangasius relies heavily on small wild fish caught from the fishing lots, thusinputs to the system are relatively expensive

3 1 2 5 4

b. Pond culture (small scale)

1.

Long distance transport of seed and due to poor roads leads to high mortality rates

during transport andafter stocking due to stress

1 3 2 4 5


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33

2.

Inadequate water supply is a serious constraint in remote areas water bodies. Watersupply relies on rainwater to fill their ponds before starting to release fingerlings.

Ponds, which are small and dug manually cannot hold water for too long.

3 2 1 4 5

3.

Little effort has been made to develop the culture practices. 2 1 3 4 5

4.

Lack of aquaculture inputs especially credit. 2 5 3 4 1

5.

Natural flooding or drought disrupts activities for long periods. 4 1 2 3 5

6.

NGO micro credit programs have high interest rates (5% per month). 1 5 4 3 2

7.


agencies implementing extension services.

1 4 3 2 5

c. Pond culture (intensive)

Problem of fish kills occurs during the summer season 5 4 1 3


formulation

5 2 1 4 3

Heavy reliance on catching or buying trash fish for feed 5 1 3 4 2

d. Rice fish culture

Rice field has to be able to hold water at least three to four months. 4 3 1 2 5

Rice field does not flood (fields often flooded in rainy season). 4 3 1 2 5

Invasion from predator species especially snakeheads 4 3 1 2 5


encountered, if the rice field is far from home.

2 5 3 1 4



5 1 4 3 2

COMPETITIVENESS

Competition from the usually abundant wild fish1 5 4 3 2

Pangasius sp. pond farmers often complain that their market and the price of their

products are influenced by imports of fish from Vietnam and Thailand.

1 5 4 2 3



1 5 3 2 4


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34

The fishermen, fishing lot owners, local collectors and local fish processors operatewithout any organized information system regarding prices, market demand, or annual

catch volumes.

1 5 3 2 4



traditional producers who process for subsistence purposes and localized sales.

1 5 3 2 4

In other cases, fish are transported by ox-carts, motorbikes and small trucks to urban

markets. Also, cages are towed to Phnom Penh from the Great Lake and Mekong areas so

that fish can be marketed alive.

2 5 4 3 1

LEGEND

PRM Policy support , regulation and sector management (including organizing farmers)

RTD Research and Technology Development

T&E Training and Extension

IDD Information Development and Dissemination

CA Access to Cash Capital


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35

B. COASTAL CAGE CULTURE OF MARINE FISH, GROUPER & SEABASS (INDONESIA)

CONSTRAINTS, PROBLEMS, SITUATIONS DEVELOPMENT ACTIONS/PRIORITY

SUSTAINABILITY PRM RTD T&E IDD CA


slow growth rate. Need for a networking on information and marketing on grouper and

seabass seeds so that fish farmers will be able to obtain quality seeds and otheraquaculture inputs

2 1 5 3 4

High cost of investment -- at least Rp 50 million/unit/cycle 1 3 4 5 2

Time consuming; the average business cycle of aquaculture is more than a year 4 3 2 5 1

High cost of commercial feed 1 3 3 5 2

Disease from fungus, bacteria and viruses attacking cultured grouper. 4 2 1 3 5

Deterioration of the sea waters due to domestic waste product as result of crowded

villages surrouding the waters.

1 4 3 2 5

Water environmental control is urgently required to mitigate the adverse impacts of newshrimp pond development and more crowded population.

1 2 3 4 5

Mariculture zone need to be established in Lampung Bay and Batam to guarantee that the

areas are particularly aimed for mariculture activities..

1 4 3 2 5

Financial (credit) support for small scale grouper and seabass farmers. 2 5 3 4 1

COMPETITIVENESS

1. Low economy of scale in export shipment because aquaculture activities are scattered and


1 5 2 3 2

2.


marketing accesses, etc).

4 3 1 2 5

3. Growing grouper and seabass in surveyed areas normally takes arround 8 to 9 months, 5 1 3 4 2


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36

humback grouper especially needs longer time which is 15 -18 months. Seabas normallytakes 7-9 months to reach a minimum marketable size for export purpose which is 500

grams per pieces.

4.







2 5 3 1 4

5. To access the information on grouper and seabass price, generally fish farmers use a


2 5 3 1 4

6. It is common for grouper farmers in a certain area to establish a group. A number of

groups in a district assembles in a unit called Development Service Unit (UPP).

1 4 3 2 5

7.




parties. Partnership between fish farmers and UPP is also a common practice in manydistricts. Benefits include: accessible management, efficient productive cooperation. In



2 5 3 1 4


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37

C. FARMING OF RED SEAWEED (Eucheuma, Kappaphycus spp) (PHILIPPINES)

CONSTRAINTS, PROBLEMS, SITUATIONS TO BE ADDRESSED BY/ PRIORITY


1.



1 3 2 5 4

2.

Increasing seaweed production can be realized when farmers can have access to creditand other forms of financing.

2 5 4 3 1

3.

Due to lack of capital, the farmers resort to micro-financing or informal loan

providers.

1 5 4 3 2

4. Poaching, typhoons and improper garbage disposals are problems. 3 4 1 2 5

5.

Several typhoons hit the seaweed farms especially in Danajon every year and farms

are often destroyed or washed out.

4 5 3 1 2

6. Occurrence of seaweed diseases like ice-ice and epiphytism; prevalent during the

summer months.

4 1 2 3 5

COMPETITIVENESS

1. Farmers are vulnerable to market, social and political forces because of weak

organization.

1 5 2 3 4

2. Seaweed farmers do not practice record keeping. This results in poor financial

management that has important implications to cash management, investment,

forecasting and savings.

4 5 1 2 3

3.

Farmers running out of cash sell their seaweeds soon after drying; they get lower

prices.

2 5 4 1 3

4. Sources of market prices information are from independent local buyers, traders, other

farmers or directly from processors and exporters either by word of mouth or SMS.

(text messages over the cellphone)

2 5 3 1 4

5. Farmers sell their produce to an independent local buyer called stocker who lives 1 5 4 3 2


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38

and operates in the village. The advantage of selling the seaweeds to the stocker is thatthe farmers can easily access cash advances without interest even before harvest.

These kinds of arrangements cannot be obtained directly from processors or traders.

The negative effect is that the buying price of the stocker is lower than that of other

buyers.

6.

Volume of harvest and buying price are considerations in selling dried seaweeds

produce. Volume of ones harvest is used as a leverage to demand a higher price.

3 5 4 1 2

7.

The presence of independent local buyers, traders, processors buying stations provide

/the seaweed farmers the best options for competitive prices.

2 5 4 1 3

8.


people with expertise and also the number of people to correspond to the needs of

technical people to the areas or farm sites.

1 4 2 3 5


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39

D. TILAPIA CAGE CULTURE IN FRESHWATER BODIES OF RED TILAPIA (THAILAND)

CONSTRAINTS, PROBLEMS, SITUATIONS DEVELOPMENT ACTIONS/ PRIORITY


1.


NK)

1 3 2 5 4

2.

Low net revenue can make farmers put off fish culture activity. (NK) 4 3 2 5 1

3.

Lack of savings for investment in fish culture. (AT,NK) 3 5 2 4 1

4.

Limited access to credit (AT, NK) 1 5 4 3 25. Low quality fish seed and death after a few months stocking. (AT, NK) 5 1 2 3 4

6.

Fish disease cause mortalities in culture. (AT,NK) 5 2 1 3 4

7.


(AT,NK) )

4 1 3 2 5

8. Low quality of environment (pollution) causes fish disease. (AT,NK) 1 2 4 3 5

9. Red tilapia culture in cages on a river carries with it a very high risk to the production

system. (AT)

1 2 3 4 5

10.

Loss of production as the major culture habitat is river and reservoir, and difficult tocontrol and monitor good environment. (NK)

2 4 3 1 5

11.

No standard culture system. (AT) 4 1 2 3 5

12.


(AT,NK)

4 3 1 2 5

COMPETITIVENESS

1.


groups. (AT)

1 2 4 3 5

2.

Low quality of production (drug and chemical), therefore products cannot qualify forinternational trade in EU, US. (AT,NK)

4 1 2 3 5

3.

Volume of production of Red Tilapia is low compared to that of Nile Tilapia. (AT) 2 3 1 4 5

4.

Contract system obstructs free market enterprise. (NK) 1 5 4 3 2

5. Limited access to information for international trade for fish farmers. (NK) 2 4 3 1 5


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40

6.

Lack of action by exporters to exploit overseas markets while home growth marketsremain strong. (NK)

2 5 3 1 4

7.

Lack of Tilapia/fish market expertise. (AT,NK) 3 4 1 2 5

8.



1 4 3 2 5


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41

E. BRACKISHWATER POND CULTURE OF SHRIMP PENAEUS MONODON (VIETNAM)

CONSTRAINTS, PROBLEMS,SITUATIONS DEVELOPMENT ACTIONS /

Priority


1.


harmful to consumers health. This damages the prestige of Vietnam fisheries sector.

1 3 2 1 5

2. The control and management of waste discharged from farming ponds into surrounding

areas (whether the wastewater is treated? Drainage system is safe? Where thesewastewater go or whether it is used in other ponds).

1 4 2 3 5

3.

Farmers in studied communes

capacity building needs for small scale aquaculture farmers

Documents