Đề tài Better Breeds of Carp for Small-Scale Fish Farmers - MS 5

Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development CARD Project Progress Report 002/04 VIE: Better Breeds of Carp for Small-scale Fish Farmers MS 5: FIRST SIX-MONTHLY REPORT July 29, 2005 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 Deakin University Australian Personnel Dr Chris Austin Date commenced 8 March, 2005 Completion date (original) 30 January 2007 Completion date (revised) 28 February 2007 Reporting period First Six Monthly 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 8785748 Organisation Research Institute for Aquaculture No. 1 Email: Patuan.2006@yahoo. com 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. This project aims to assist the continued development of genetically improved common carp 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. Excellent progress has been made with in the first six months of this project. Almost all inputs have been achieved and all milestones have been met or exceeded. A questionnaire to investigate and document fish breeding practices and assess knowledge levels has been developed, tested, refined and ~100 stakeholders interviewed. Over fifty populations of carp have been sampled from research stations, provincial hatcheries, private hatcheries farmers and wild populations. Two workshops were conducted in May, one for hatchery personnel and farmers and one for young scientists. Laboratory equipment has been purchased and is being used for research and training 3. Executive Summary Excellent progress has been made with this project. The project commenced 8th March, 2005 and almost all inputs have been achieved and all milestones have been met or exceeded that were planned for the first six months. A questionnaire designed to reveal and document fish breeding practices and assess knowledge levels among farmers and hatchery personnel has been developed, tested, refined and ~100 stakeholders interviewed. The data collected will be analysed and summarised over the next few months. Fifty two populations of common carp have been sample (by taking fin clips) from research stations, provincial hatcheries, private hatcheries and from farmers through out Vietnam and will now be subject to DNA genotyping. Two highly successful workshops were conducted in May, one for young scientists and one for hatchery personnel and farmers. The first workshop (May 5-9) was attended by 23 young scientists from 10 research organizations or tertiary institutions. These included the Research Institutes for Aquaculture No. 1, 2 and 3, Can Tho University, College of Fisheries, University of Fisheries in Nha Trang, Vinh University, Hue University, Hanoi Agriculture University, and the Marine Research Institute. The workshop (May 10-15) was attended by 19 farmers and hatchery personnel from through out the country. Participants came from the following provinces: Bac Ninh, Vinh Phuc, Hanoi, Thai Nguyen, Yen Bai, Quang Binh, Binh Dinh, Gia Lai, Nghe An, and Hai Duong A range of reference materials and manuals to support these workshops were produced. Also, laboratory equipment has been purchased and is being used. 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) To demonstrate to farmers, on farm, the advantages of using genetically improved breeds of 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. 5. Progress to Date 5.1 Implementation Highlights The principal achievements to date have been: (1) the successful implementation of 2 workshops at the Research Institute for Aquaculture No. 1, (2) the construction of a questionnaire to determine knowledge levels relating to fish breeding and genetic improvement and common breeding practises by small scale fish farmers and hatchery personnel and the interviewing of ~100 farmers and hatchery personnel ( ahead of schedule), and (3) sampling of common carp populations throughout Vietnam (also, ahead of schedule) 5.2 Smallholder Benefits The most direct benefits to small-scale fish farmers to date have been through the workshops run at the Research Institute for Aquaculture No. 1 for fish farmers, hatchery personnel and the interviewing of small scale farmers in relation to the documentation of current fish breeding and brood stock management practices. 5.3 Capacity Building A contribution to capacity building at the institutional level has been made through the training programs delivered as part of the first workshop. 5.4 Publicity None to date. 5.5 Project Management Management of the project as been effective. 6. Report on Cross-Cutting Issues 6.1 Environment No issues. 6.2 Gender and Social Issues Gender balance was appropriate for the first workshop run for young scientists (14:9, female to male ratio), however the gender balance was significantly skewed in favour of males (2:17 female to male ratio in the workshop for carp farmers and hatchery personnel. While fish farming and breeding is largely the domain of males an effort will be made to encourage the participation of a larger proportion of women in the second fish farmer workshop. 7. Implementation & Sustainability Issues 7.1 Issues and Constraints While the implementation of the project has been highly successful over the first reporting period an issue was the departure of Associate Professor Austin’s postdoctoral research fellow, Dr Chris Burridge, a fish geneticist, earlier this year. His absence has been covered through additional input from Dr Austin and the use of part time staff (Schultz and Baranski). The major issue that has arisen since the commencement of the project is that Dr Austin has recently 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. Dr Austin will take up this position in November 2005. 7.2 Options As the resources and expertise available at Charles Darwin University in the fields of aquaculture and genetics are similar to, or better than those available at the Warrnambool campus of Deakin University, there should no major issues in having the project transferred from Deakin University to Charles Darwin University. Letters of support for the transfer of the project will be obtained from the Research Offices of Deakin University and Charles Darwin University and forwarded to Hassall & Associates in the near future. Further, Charles Darwin University will be appointing a Research Fellow in Fish Genetics latter this year. This person will support Dr Austin’s research program in aquaculture and fish and invertebrate genetics including this project. 7.3 Sustainability No major issues other than those indicated above. 8. Next Critical Steps The next steps are: (1) Collate and analyse the data from the questionnaire and interviews of small scale fish farmers and hatchery personnel. (2) Commence the collection of genetic data (genotyping fish). (3) Provide high level technical training in Australia for two Vietnamese scientists There are no major constraints envisaged to project objectives as outlined. Two young Vietnamese scientists have been identified and letters of invitation have been forwarded to them. The only other additional step is to transfer the project from Deakin University to Charles Darwin University. 9. Conclusion Progress of this project has been highly satisfactory and all objectives established for the first 6 months have been met of exceeded.