Báo cáo khoa học nông nghiệp " Improving traditional integrated farming systems (VAC) – a new livelihood option for poor farmers in the coastal communities " MS2 pot

1 Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development Collaboration for Agriculture and Rural Development PROJECT PROGRESS REPORT 027/07VIE Improving traditional integrated farming systems (VAC) – a new livelihood option for poor farmers in the coastal communities MS2: First six-monthly report 5 th February 2008- 5 th July 2008 1 Table of Contents 1. Institute Information ___________________________________________________ 2 2. Project Abstract _______________________________________________________ 3 3. Executive Summary ____________________________________________________ 3 4. Introduction & Background _____________________________________________ 3 5. Progress to Date _______________________________________________________ 4 5.1 Implementation Highlights ________________________________________________ 4 5.2 Smallholder Benefits______________________________________________________ 4 5.3 Capacity Building ________________________________________________________ 5 5.4 Publicity________________________________________________________________ 5 5.5 Project Management _____________________________________________________ 5 6. Report on Cross-Cutting Issues___________________________________________ 5 6.1 Environment ____________________________________________________________ 5 6.2 Gender and Social Issues __________________________________________________ 5 7. Implementation & Sustainability Issues ____________________________________ 5 7.1 Issues and Constraints ____________________________________________________ 5 7.2 Options_________________________________________________________________ 6 7.3 Sustainability____________________________________________________________ 6 8. Next Critical Steps _____________________________________________________ 6 9. Conclusion ___________________________________________________________ 6 2 1. Institute Information Project Name Improving traditional integrated farming systems (VAC) - a new livelihood option for poor farmers in the coastal communities Vietnamese Institution Centre for Environment and Disease Monitoring in Aquaculture (CEDMA) Vietnamese Project Team Leader Mr. Mai Van Tai (Project director) Mr. Mai Van Ha (Project manager) Australian Organisation Muresk Institute - Division of Science and Engineering-Curtin University of Technology (CUT) Australian Personnel Dr. Ravi Fotedar (Team Leader) Dr Jane Fewtrell (Environmental Scientist) Mr Simon Longbottom (Aquaculture Scientist) Date commenced 8 th February 2008 Completion date (original) January 2010 Completion date (revised) February 2010 Reporting period 6 monthly (First) Contact Officer(s) In Australia: Team Leader Name: Dr Ravi Fotedar Telephone: +61 8 92664508 Position: International Program Director, A/Prof Fax: +61 8 92664422 Organisation Muresk Institute, CUT Email: r.fotedar@curtin.edu.au In Australia: Administrative contact Name: As above Telephone: Position: Fax: Organisation Email: In Vietnam Name: Mai Van Ha Telephone: 0988089305 Position: Researcher Fax: 0241840241 Organisation Centre for Environment and Disease Monitoring in Aquaculture (CEDMA) Email: mvha@ria1.org 3 2. Project Abstract 3. Executive Summary The overall objective for project 027/07VIE, ‘Improving traditional integrated farming systems (VAC) - a new livelihood option for poor farmers in the coastal communities’, is to improve the income base to sustain livelihoods of poor coastal farmers in the Central provinces. This objective is to be achieved by improving the productivity of the existing traditional farming system and managing water quality simultaneously and therefore reducing the environmental impact of operations. To date the projects achievements have included the design of questionnaire to assess and document the existing VAC practices in the selected provinces, selection of demonstration households/farms (VAC), selection of higher value species, transfer of technology to Vietnamese staff and the design of the improved production systems. The construction of recirculating aquaculture systems in Nghe an and Quang tri has commenced. A strategic plan for environment monitoring protocol has been developed. Two on-field workshops were conducted in March for potential adapters of new technology in Nghe An and Quang Tri. The first workshop was attended by 21 farmers and commune’s extension workers. The second workshop was attended by 23 farmers and district’s extension staff. Most of the office and laboratory equipment has been ordered or purchased. 4. Introduction & Background This project aims to improve efficiency of the traditional VAC system while decreasing environmental impact through the application of current technology and introduction of local but higher value species. The objectives are: i) To carry out an analysis of current economics status and practices of household farming (includes aquaculture, horticulture and animal husbandry practices) and identify incentives and constraints for improved VAC application The farming communities in the Central coastal areas of Vietnam have very limited productive land, and marine aquatic resources are overexploited. The diversification of income base for communities practicing VAC farming systems is a main issue for the local and central Government. Therefore, the Government is strategically putting in an effort to reduce coastal exploitation by identifying alternative livelihood options. This project is an appropriate approach to increase income for these communities using existing available resources. This project is expected to make a significant contribution to the Government of Vietnam’s Comprehensive Poverty Reduction and Growth Strategy (CPRGS), which is aligned with the CARD program strategic framework. So far a survey has been conducted to collect the base line information on the economic status of farmers participating in traditional VAC farming systems in two selected districts of Vietnam. The staff from CEDMA have been updated on the proposed improvements in the traditional VAC farming systems and related environmental issues. The selection of demonstration sites and aquatic species to be farmed under the modified VAC system has been finalised. Modifications to the aquaculture production system have been designed and the constructions of recirculating aquaculture systems are under progress. 4 ii) To develop appropriate improved VAC guidelines and manuals for household aquaculture in the North Central of Vietnam. iii) To build capacity for improved VAC application among stakeholders involving in aquaculture product market chains, especially smallholder producers. Objective i) has been completed with the revised performance measures. As outlined in the log frame, the performance measures are the collection of improved VAC materials available regionally and internationally; construction of questionnaire and interviewing of existing farming communities who are participating in the traditional VAC systems, selection of 2-3 households/farms to demonstrate improved VAC systems; drafting of action plans for VAC demonstration system which includes farming of higher value species in a environmentally friendly manner. To the best of our knowledge the household/farms selected are representative examples of typical VAC systems of the region. Activities to meet Objective ii) have commenced. 5. Progress to Date 5.1 Implementation Highlights Main achievements for this reporting period were; i) Final signing of contract ii) First trip to Vietnam (Ravi Fotedar and Jane Fewtrell) - visited household farm systems practices traditional VAC in Nghe An and Quang Tri provinces iii) Formulation of environmental monitoring plan iv) Formulation and implementation of questionnaire v) Interviews conducted vi) Second trip to Vietnam (Ravi Fotedar) - final selection of demonstration farms - selection of aquatic species - update on the technology issues to CEDMA staff and extension workers vii) Design of improved aquaculture system to be utilised by the three demonstration farms finalised (Appendix 3). viii) Two field workshops conducted 5.2 Smallholder Benefits At this stage it is expected that the benefits to the house hold farmers will be achieved as outlined in section 2.2 of the project proposal. The benefits will be quantified during the second year of the project. To date, the direct benefits in terms of knowledge of modified VAC operations to small-scale farmers have been achieved through the workshops run at the two provinces. 5 5.3 Capacity Building A capacity building initiative has commenced at CEDMA. The transfer of technology in the area of water recirculating systems in aquaculture, nutrient cycling across various farming components of VAC system and environmental monitoring programs have been successfully achieved. 5.4 Publicity Extension material which includes brochures, posters and single page pamphlets are under preparation. 5.5 Project Management Management of the project has been satisfactory and no major constraints were encountered. 6. Report on Cross-Cutting Issues 6.1 Environment The proposal for monitoring the environmental impacts of the improved systems have been formulated (Appendix 1). 6.2 Gender and Social Issues Gender balance was appropriate for the first workshop run for farmer and extension staff (14:9 female to male ratio), however the gender balance was significantly skewed in favor of males (2:17 female to male ratio) in the second workshop in Quang Tri. 7. Implementation & Sustainability Issues 7.1 Issues and Constraints Two alterations to the original project proposal have been necessary, one being the proposed commencement date for the project and the second being the number of demonstration house holds/farms to be included. The project commencement date was delayed by more than a month as a result of delay in signing the contract. After the Australian collaborators’ first viewing of a selection of actual household farms in March 2008, it was decided that the logistics of including 10 demonstration households/farms in the proposed time frame would be impossible. Therefore, taking all factors into account, the number of demonstration farms/households was reduced to three. 6 7.2 Options The issues encountered have been resolved and the options that have been applied are as explained in section 7.1. 7.3 Sustainability The main highlight of the project is to improve the economic status of the farmers practicing traditional VAC systems. This is achieved by improving the productivity and thus the income from the traditional VAC system in an environmentally sustainable way. The modified VAC system envisages minimum adverse impact on the surrounding environment and diversifying the production base so that disease, production and marketing risks are minimised. This will have a positive impact on the sustainability of the project. 8. Next Critical Steps The projects activities for the next 6 months will include: (1) Collect, collate and analyze the data from the questionnaire and interviews of farmers participating in the workshops. These farmers are the potential adapters of the improved VAC system. (2) Continue improved VAC construction work in Nghe An and Quang Tri. (3) Stock the selected higher value species into the recirculating aquaculture systems. (4) Establish the environmental monitoring protocol and collect the relevant data on water quality in and around modified VAC systems. (5) Organize trainings on improved VAC practices for farmers and extension staff (6) Conduct exchange visits for the project-evolved farmers between Nghe an and Quang tri (7) Provide technical training in Australia for two Vietnamese scientists 9. Conclusion Progress has been satisfactory and the objectives established for the first 6 months have been achieved. . 2 1. Institute Information Project Name Improving traditional integrated farming systems (VAC) - a new livelihood option for poor farmers in the coastal communities Vietnamese Institution. Executive Summary The overall objective for project 027/07VIE, Improving traditional integrated farming systems (VAC) - a new livelihood option for poor farmers in the coastal communities ,. farmers participating in traditional VAC farming systems in two selected districts of Vietnam. The staff from CEDMA have been updated on the proposed improvements in the traditional VAC farming systems