(TELEFOOD PROJECT EXAMPLE)

FISH POND AND RICE FISH CULTURE AS AN ALTERNATIVE PROTEIN SUPPLY TO RURAL FAMILIES (ASIA)

In collaboration with

Ministry of ......
Country X

Target group:

A total of 320 selected farmers (10 farmers from each pilot site) who already have fish pond will benefit from this fish culture activity. This includes both previously selected farmers and new farmers who will be selected for the 1999 wet season. However, 1,080 farmers who participate in the Integrated Farmer Field School will also benefit from the training session which relate to aquaculture.

Background and justification:

In recent years, due to environmental degradation and fishing pressures, the fish population in the ... Lake system has been reduced drastically. This has had a serious impact on the Country X population whose livelihood depends primarily on fishing activities in the.... Lake.

Fish is the most important protein source for Country X's and in particular for those who live in rural areas. The establishment of fish ponds and fish-rice culture is an appropriate way to assist rural dwellers to increase their supply of protein. Fish from culture not only provides protein for local consumption, but also will provide a surplus that can be sold at local markets where there is a high demand for fish.

In the past, the abundance of wild fish in Country X has meant that fish culture has not played an important part in the rural fish supply. The reduction in the wild fish population has adversely affected the nutrition of rural communities. Fish culture is a technique that is very new to Country X farmers, whose knowledge of fish is limited to the exploitation of decreasing wild stocks. Fish culture is further constrained by the availability of feed suitable for the species cultured.

Knowledge about aquaculture is very important, particularly for farmers in remote rural areas where there is a shortage of fish in local markets. This shortage of fish will encourage the adoption of fish culture by local communities.

Fish culture started as a demonstration activity in the 7 SPFS pilot sites. Farmer participants at these sites have shown great interest in it despite the fact that they live near areas with a good supply of wild fish.

Objectives:

• To provide additional income to rural farmer families through fish culture.
• To increase the availability and access to fish by communities in the pilot sites.
• To improve community nutrition, especially increased protein consumption.

Duration:

12 months (July 1999 - July 2000)

Outputs:

Fingerlings, lime, chemical fertilizer, rice bran, pH meter and Hapa will be required from the project as outlined in the table below. The targeted farmers will contribute their input through improving existing ponds. Ponds of approximately 100m² with 2-2.5 m depth will be needed. The fish will be fed mainly on the algae and micro-plankton generated from organic fertilizer.

Inputs/ Budget:

Item	Amount	Cost ($US)
1.Materials to prepare and fertilize fish ponds
Lime	1,800 (kg)	360
Chemical fertilizer
DAP	450 (kg)	157.5
UREA	450 (kg)	112.5
Sub-total		630
2. Production
Fingerling	96,000 (head)	3,790
Sub-total		3,790
3. Feeding
Rice bran	5,500 (kg)	580
Sub-total		580
4. Equipment
Hapa	180 (units)	1,260
pH meter	9 (units)	450
Sub-total		1,710
Grand-total		6,710

Note: price estimates in February 1999

Schedule of activities:

Activities	Timing
Selection of farmers	July 1999
Improvement and preparation of fish ponds	July 1999
Purchase of lime, fertilizers, pH meter and Hapa	July 1999
Control of fishponds and fingerling distribution	August 1999
Monitoring and follow-up	July 1999 - March 2000
Project evaluation	March 2000

Linkages with other (FAO) projects:

At present, SPFS is working with farmers in 9 different pilot sites in a total of 5 provinces, covering the different agro-ecological zones in Country X. A total of 1,080 farmers will indirectly (training package) and 360 farmers who have ponds, will benefit directly from this project

Follow-up and reporting:

The SPFS Government counterpart specialized on aquaculture and the National consultant on Livestock-Aquaculture component, together with provincial and district teams from each SPFS pilot site are responsible for the daily follow-up of project activities. Quarterly progress and final reports will be submitted to the FAO Representative who will be responsible for the global project implementation, project evaluation and the correct use of funds.

Risks:

Tilapia is very prolific as compared with the local species and this could become a future problem for local species when strict measure and control are not properly taken into consideration to prevent the spreading of Tilapia into open water resources.