Báo cáo nghiên cứu khoa học " Better Breeds of Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) for Small-scale Fish Farmers " doc

Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development Collaboration for Agriculture & Rural Development PROJECT COMPLETION REPORT 002/004VIE Better Breeds of Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) for Small-scale Fish Farmers Hanoi, June 2007 1 1. Institute Information Project Name Better Breeds of Common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) for Small-scale Fish Farmers Vietnamese Institution Research Institute for Aquaculture No.1 Vietnamese Project Team Leader Dr Tuan Anh Pham Australian Organisation Charles Darwin University Australian Personnel Prof. Chris Austin Date commenced 8 March, 2005 Completion date (original) 8 March, 2007 Completion date (revised) 8 June, 2007 Contact Officer(s) In Australia: Team Leader Name: Dr Chris Austin Telephone: 08 8946 7276 Position: Professor/HOS Fax: 08 8946 6151 Organisation Charles Darwin University Email: chris.austin@cdu.edu.au In Australia: Administrative contact Name: Dr Jenny Carter Telephone: 08 8946 6708 Position: Manager Research Fax: 08 8946 7199 Organisation Charles Darwin University Email: jenny.carter@cdu.edu.au In Vietnam Name: Dr Tuan Anh Pham Telephone: 84 4 8781084 Position: Deputy Director Fax: 84 4 8273070 Organisation Research Institute for Aquaculture No. 1 Email: patuan.2006@yahoo. com 2 2. Project Abstract Increased inland fish production is a high priority for the Government of Vietnam particularly in the context of rural development in relation to food security, poverty alleviation and income generation. Genetic improvement of fish species has been identified as a priority area for research and development. The general aim of this two year-project is to assist the continued development of genetically improved Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) breeds, the effective dissemination of these breeds from central research institutes to provincial hatcheries for distributions to small scale farmers and further development of research capacity in genetics in relation to selective breeding and brood-stock management. Almost all inputs of project have been achieved and all milestones have been met or exceeded. Samples of common carp have been collected from a large number of locations and genetically analysed. Genetic differences between genetically improved breeds, provincial hatchery broodstock and farmed stocks determined. Technical training workshops for common carp hatchery managers and small scale farmers were conducted. Technical training for young Vietnamese researchers in the use and application of advanced genetic principles and techniques in fish breeding and genetic improvement studies has been carried out in both Vietnam and Australia. On-farm grow-out trials to compare genetically improved breeds and locally available strains of common carp were conducted in various low-input–small scale aquaculture systems. The better breed of common carp has been identified and disseminated to fish farmers. 3. Executive Summary Excellent progress has been made with this two year project (March 2005 to June 2007). Almost all outputs of the project have been achieved and all milestones have been met or exceeded that were planned. Current common carp breeding practices and broodstock management were surveyed and reviewed. Knowledge levels of fish breeding and hatchery operation among fish farmers and hatchery personnel have been assessed. Thirty populations of common carp have been collected from research stations, provincial hatcheries, private hatcheries farmers and wild populations. Genetic variation of the collected populations were analysed. These results reveal important insights into the effects of inbreeding and dissemination of genetically improved strains. Research results have been reported in two publications in the international journal Aquaculture. Two training workshops on common carp breeding, broodstock management and seed production were conducted for 70 hatchery personnel and fish farmers. Important stakeholder views and opinions on common carp breeds were obtained from these key stakeholders. Technical training on fish breeding principles and techniques of molecular analysis for 20 Vietnamese young scientists from research institutes and universities was carried out, and intensive training for 4 Vietnamese young scientists on advanced molecular techniques were undertaken in Deakin University and Charles Darwin University in Australia. Growth performance of 3 common carp from different strains have been evaluated in farmers’ ponds in Thai Nguyen and Yen Bai provinces. Information on the best breeds of common carps for small-scale, low inputs aquaculture systems were identified and used to advise farmers in relation to choosing carp broodstock, fry and fingerlings. 4. Introduction & Background The general aim of this project is to identify better breeds of common carp and increase the utilisation of such fish by small-scale farmers as means of increasing yields and lowering costs, and thereby contributing significantly to poverty alleviation and income generation for communities heavily dependent on fish aquaculture for livelihoods and food security. Common carp was chosen as the target species as it is the most important cultured fish species in Vietnam (approximately 20,000 metric tons produced per year) with a very large number of people, including those in low income regions (e.g. highlands) and ethnic minorities, dependent upon it for food security and income. Further, the Vietnamese Government has in the past, and continues to invest significant resources into the production and dissemination of genetically improved breeds of this species, and there is significant local expertise in the area of genetics and breeding (e.g. staff of the Research Institute for Aquaculture No. 1). The specific objectives of this project are to: (1) document current fish breeding and brood-stock management practices in relation to the selection and maintenance of genetically improved common carp breeds at the institutional, hatchery (provincial and private) and small-scale farm levels; to assess knowledge levels relating to fish breeds and selection of seed stock by small scale farmers; (2) determine genotypic and phenotypic diversity among common carp genetic resources (breeds), both wild and domesticated, available for aquaculture within Vietnam and examine the success of dissemination of genetically improved breeds to small scale farmers; (3) increase success and efficiency of common carp breeding, broodstock management and seed stock production by small scale farmers and hatchery personnel; (4) increase capacity of young researchers and technicians to contribute to research and development in the fields of genetics of broodstock management, molecular genetics and fish genetic improvement; and (5) demonstrate to farmers, on farm, the advantages of using genetically improved breeds of common carp. The approach adopted for this project involves a novel combination of traditional and modern methods. Thus the understanding of common carp genetic resources in Vietnam and the success of the dissemination of genetically improved breeds to small-scale farmers will be based on the use of modern (molecular genetic) and traditional phenotypic (morphological, pond growth trials) approaches, and through demonstration (by stocking improved fish breeds into farmers ponds) and by interviewing stakeholders. Also a more ‘de-centralised’ approach to both understanding carp genetic resources will be taken using comprehensive geographic sampling of domesticated and wild populations and through capacity building for provincial hatcheries (via training programs) to enable better brood-stock management and improve fish breeding. 4 5. Progress to Date 5.1 Implementation Highlights The principal achievements for the project have been: (1) A total of 133 farmers and hatchery personnel were interviewed to determine knowledge levels relating to fish breeding and genetic improvement and common carp breeding practises by small scale fish farmers and hatchery personnel. Data was analysed and summarised. (2) The successful training of four young scientists from the Research Institute for Aquaculture No.1, Research Institute for Aquaculture No.3 and from University of Fisheries, Nha Trang at Deakin University and Charles Darwin University in advanced genetic technologies and statistical procedures. (3) Technical training on fish breeding principles and molecular analysis application in genetic improvement of fish for 20 Vietnamese young scientists from research institutes and universities was successfully carried out at the Research Institute for Aquaculture No.1 (Vietnam). (4) The two workshops for farmers were organised in RIA1, (Bac Ninh), Thai Nguyen Aquaculture Centre (Thai Nguyen province) and at National Broodstock Center (NBC) of RIA-I with 70 participants (see workshop materials). Important information relevant to the management of the Government carp breeding programs and dissemination of genetically improved stocks emerged from the workshops and stakeholder consultations. (5) Samples of 30 common carp populations were obtained from research stations, provincial hatcheries, private hatcheries farmers, markets and wild populations thoughout Vietnam which has exceeded expectations. (6) Genetic variation of the collected 30 common carp populations were analysed and published in peer reviewed Journal. (7) The on-farm trails of improved and locally available strains of common carp have been carried at 40 farmers involved 10,000 of fish stocked in the farms, 34 of ponds, and 6 rice fields. 5.2 Smallholder Benefits The most direct benefits to small-scale fish farmers to date have been through the workshops run at the Thai Nguyen Fish Extension Centre and at National Broodstock Center (NBC) of RIA-I in Hai Duong for fish farmers and hatchery personnel. The knowledge of fish farmers about common carp breeding and culture was significantly improved. Very successful was the demonstrated for modern controlled breeding techniques at the NBC as many farmers had not been exposed to 5 these methods before. The workshop was successful in communicating the Government’s strategy for improving carp productivity and in encouraging farmers to participate in the on-farm trials. The workshop was also successful in encouraging farmers to compare farming strategies and to learn from each other. The better breeds of common carp for aquaculture in fish farmer’s systems was identified through the on farm trials. The on farm trials also effectively re- inforced among farmers the importance of considering the performance of different breeds of fish in their ponds. The results of the on-farm trials provided a basis for the provision of advice to farmers on the better breeds for fish producers (both growth-out and hatchery operators) in two target project provinces: Thai Nguyen and Yen Bai. 5.3 Capacity Building A contribution to capacity building at the institutional level has been made through technical training on fish breeding principles and molecular analysis application in genetic improvement of fish for 20 Vietnamese young scientists from research institutes and universities and the advanced training programs delivered to four young scientists at Deakin University and Charles Darwin University in Australia. 5.4 Publicity There are 3 scientific papers published at International peer review Journal and information is to be disseminated through information pamphlets and newsletters in Vietnam. 5.5 Project Management Management of the project as been effective. 6. Report on Cross-Cutting Issues 6.1 Environment No issues to report. 6.2 Gender and Social Issues No issues to report. 7. Implementation & Sustainability Issues 7.1 Issues and Constraints The implementation of the project has been complicated by the movement of staff and unanticipated demands from other projects for the Australian partner. These 6 problems have been overcome by accessing the services of other personnel or in some cases increasing the time commitments of nominated staff. The project completion can not meet at the planned milestone due to two major issues arisen. These are (i) Dr Chris M. Austin, Australian team leader, has been appointed to the position of Professor and Head of School of the School of Science and Primary Industries at Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Australia. He was transferred to Darwin from Deakin University in November 2005. And (ii) the final on-farm trail to compare growth performance of the improved common carp and locally available strains conduced in two highland provinces (Thai Nguyen & Yen Bai) could not complete as planned. The harvesting of pond trials from some farmers’ ponds had to be left for significantly longer period of time than anticipated as fish were displaying very slow growth rates due to low inputs and higher stocking rates. Further, the draining of ponds for harvesting could only be done when convenient for some farmers due to the lack of availability of water. Some fish was delayed to harvest until late March 2007. 7.2 Options 7.3 Sustainability No major issues other than those indicated above. 8. Next Critical Steps The next steps are: (1) To ensure the dissemination of the results and findings to the full range of stakeholders and partners, especially small scale fish farmers in north Vietnam (2) Extend the model of on farm trials, which involved the effective engagements of farmers in the trials to identify better fish breeds, to other provinces and fish species. (3) Publish the results of the on farm trials in aquaculture magazines and journals as a case study of evidence-based and participatory research in aquaculture. 9. Conclusion Progress of this project has been highly satisfactory and almost all objectives established for the project have been met or exceeded. 7 . (Cyprinus carpio L. ) for Small-scale Fish Farmers Hanoi, June 2007 1 1. Institute Information Project Name Better Breeds of Common carp (Cyprinus carpio L. ) for Small-scale. institutional, hatchery (provincial and private) and small-scale farm levels; to assess knowledge levels relating to fish breeds and selection of seed stock by small scale farmers; ( 2) determine. of common carp genetic resources in Vietnam and the success of the dissemination of genetically improved breeds to small-scale farmers will be based on the use of modern (molecular genetic)