The prime objective of the UNDP/FAO Project VIE/93/001 - Freshwater Fish Culture Extension is to assist national efforts in establishing a sustainable system of extension services in aquaculture in northern and central Viet Nam. Since its start in January 1995, the Project has been successful in developing and strengthening an extension network consisting of a Transfer of Technology Centre, four Sub-Centres, 24 Demonstration Farms and 12 Integrated Fish Farms (VAC sites). This Project is considered to be a core element of a programmatic framework for Technical Assistance to Environment and Natural Resources Management in Viet Nam, which was formulated by the UNDP office in Viet Nam, in accordance with the National Plan for Environment and Sustainable Development (NPESD), to introduce economic alternatives and sustainable rural practices to reduce environmental degradation.
Within the Project framework, emphasis has been given to socio-economic and environmental considerations in aquaculture extension activities in the provinces covered by the Project. In order to integrate both socio-economic information on farm households practicing aquaculture and information on postive and negative environmental impacts of aquaculture into ongoing and future extension activities and approaches, the Project has commissioned the preparation of two studies (which have been carried out by national expert teams during 1995–1996):
Study on Environmental Impacts of Aquaculture, prepared by Dr T.T. Thanh and co-workers of the Department of Ecology and Environment, Faculty of Biology, University of Hanoi; and
Socio-economic case studies on small family-size integrated farming system (VAC) - Sustainable Aquaculture Development through Promotion of VAC Integrated Farming Models, prepared by Dr. D.K. Chung and co-workers of the Faculty of Agricultural Economics, Hanoi Agricultural University.
In addition, the Project provided for a TSS-2 consultancy, split into two missions, on environmental assessment of aquaculture and extension activities. The reporting officer visited the Project in June 1995, and this report covers his second mission in July 1997. The Terms of Reference for this consultancy are given as follows:
Terms of Reference:
| Post title: | Consultant on Environmental Impact |
| Duration: | Six man-weeks split into 2 missions, one of four weeks and one of two weeks (mission period subject to adjustment) |
| EOD: | September 1994 |
Duties:
The consultant will work under the technical supervision of the competent FAO unit, in support of the Lead Consultant and in close collaboration with the project authorities, in particular with the NPD and the Deputy NPD. Close liaison should be established with the RIA No.1 Environmental Study Laboratories (ESL) strengthened under VIE/86/011. In particular, the consultant will perform the following duties:
study and analyze potential negative environmental impacts of the project in particular and of the extension of new technologies to inland fisheries in general;
study and analyze opportunities lying within the project framework, which, if implemented, would have a positive environmental impact;
formulate and forward recommendations, in line with the results of duties (i) -(ii) above, to improve the overall environmental impact of the project;
prepare TORs for national consultants to constantly monitor the environmental impact of the project and of the extension of new technologies to inland fisheries.
Work with the ESLs and the national consultants recruited under (iv) to analyze the results of the 12 socio-economic studies of VAC and the results collected through the monitoring in (iv). Combine to provide assessment of the environmental impact of the project and extension activities;
based on assessment under (v), provide follow-up recommendations.
The first mission covered above items (i) - (iv) , and this mission addressed items (v) and (vi) with a view to consolidate findings of both missions undertaken. This report summarizes the findings conclusions and recommendations derived from above mentioned studies, as well as findings from both missions undertaken, including information provided by experts of the Research Institute for Aquaculture No.1 and additional documentation consulted in July 1997.
The officer arrived in Hanoi on 5 July and departed on 20 July. Annex 1 of this report contains the officer's itinerary and a list of persons met during the second mission. On 4 July, the officer was briefed on current progress by the Project, by Mr D. Kumar (Lead Consultant) and Messrs M. Choudhury and M. Doeff of FAO's Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP). The reports of the above-mentioned studies were received in RAP on 27 June 1997, and handed over to the Lead Consultant and the reporting officer during the briefing of 4 July.
The reporting officer met the project staff of VIE/93/001 on 8 July. Meetings were held with Dr Le Thanh Luu, Deputy National Project Coordinator, to discuss current situation of the project, the forthcoming Tripartite Review Meeting, requirements for Project Performance Evaluation Report, purpose of this mission, and the reports 1 of the Study Teams on environmental impact and socio-economic assessment. Unfortunately, it was not possible to meet with the study team leaders during this mission, because they were travelling in Viet Nam and abroad.
Project VIE/93/001 is proving to be very successful. This has been reiterated during various meetings with the project staff as well as with Messrs M. Messier (FAOR, Hanoi) and P.G Truc (National Professional Officer, FAO) and Messrs N.T. Tung (National Programme Officer,) and G. Johnson (Senior Advisor Environment and Natural Resources), UNDP, Hanoi. It is evident that there is a need and demand for continued efforts and support to aquaculture extension activities in northern Viet Nam, for the benefit of often very poor farm households including in particular those farmers living in the mountainous areas of this region.
Upon request by Messrs Luu and Tung, the reporting officer reviewed a preliminary draft proposal for a project on brackish water aquaculture in northern and central provinces of Viet Nam, with a view to provide suggestions on proposed project approach and activities as related to key project components on environmental monitoring and management. The draft proposal envisages field testing and extension of environmentally sustainable aquaculture methods, based on collaboration between Vietnamese and Thai experts and, possibly, on support by the Government of Thailand and UNDP.
A meeting was held on 17 July 1997 at the Ministry of Fisheries, hosted by Dr Ta Quang Ngoc, Minister of Fisheries, and attended by Dr Vu Van Trieu , Deputy Director-General, International Cooperation Department, MoF, Dr Le Thanh Luu (RIA No.1) and the reporting officer. Dr Ngoc, Minister of Fisheries, identified several priority areas for technical collaboration and financial assistance for increased fish production through aquaculture and inland fisheries. He stressed that the poorest people in Viet Nam live in the mountain areas, including ethnic minorities. In addition, there are significant problems of migration and resettlement of more than one million people in the highland provinces of northern Viet Nam. These people urgently require that alternatives of economic activities are provided. Highest priority is therefore being given to poverty alleviation, food production and job creation in these areas. Aquaculture in ponds and cages as well as fishery practices in reservoirs and lakes, are seen as very suitable and viable opportunities to enhance production of much needed animal protein. In addition, the creation of alternative sources of food and income through aquaculture and fishing can help reducing ongoing deforestation in mountainous areas resulting from unsustainable logging practices by very poor people.
It was felt that Project VIE/93/001 has shown very satisafactory results. However, given the demand for fish, the proven viability of fish production in present integrated aquaculture-agriculture farming systems, and the great acceptance of these methods by the farmers, it was emphasized that there is much scope in expanding the activities of the established aquaculture extension network. More support is needed to expand the coverage of this network, with a view to carry out additional extension activities, particularly at the district levels of all target provinces, as well as at the level of communes in mountainous regions. The Ministry of Fisheries would expect that continued support will be provided by UNDP and FAO to the efforts of the Ministry in the areas of freshwater aquaculture and inland fisheries.
Dr Ngoc also referred to significant opportunities for increased fish production and income generation from aquaculture develoment in coastal areas. He mentioned the recently concluded Coastal Aquaculture Development Study, supported by the Asian Development Bank. Unfortunately, no internationally supported project activities have been initiated sofar to provide financial and technical assistance for the implementation of actions proposed.
The Minister emphasized that there is a need in coastal aquaculture to shift from extensive production systems to investment into more intensive types of aquaculture production. Intensification of coastal aquaculture practices is being prioritized for reasons of increasing competition for limited land resources, economic efficiency of improved and intensified practices, and reduced conversion of coastal wetlands. It was stated, however, that such intensification should be supported by appropriate disease prevention and other fish health management measures, application of adequate feeds and feeding techniques, and good farm management practices, so as to ensure that this sector develops in a sustainable manner. Dr Ngoc advised that technical support by FAO on sustainable coastal aquaculture development, including aspects of technology and management, would be very welcome.
Dr Ngoc mentioned that he had attended the 1995 FAO/Japan Conference on the Sustainable Contribution of Fisheries to Food Security. He inquired if FAO's Special Programme for Food Security could support current aquaculture development efforts in Viet Nam. He reiterated that aquaculture has great potential to contribute to food security in many provinces of Viet Nam, and that it can generate substantial benefit to poor people particularly in mountainous areas. He referred in particular to the application of the Vietnamese VAC system and other practices of integrated aquaculture-agriculture, which have proven to be quite effective in contributing to food security. He noted, however, that food security can be achieved not only through increased production, but also through aquaculture of high value species such as, for example, freshwater turtles, generating income equivalent to 30–40 kg rice per kilogramme of turtle produced. The Minister further empasized the importance of post-harvest aspects in aquaculture, such as handling, processing, distribution and marketing of aquaculture products.
In concluding, it was indicated that the assistance provided sofar by FAO and UNDP is appreciated. However, it was also stated that it is hoped that FAO, UNDP and other relevant institutions would give due consideration to the provision of continued support and technical advice for the enhancement of fish production through aquaculture in inland and coastal areas.
A debriefing meeting was held on 23 July in Bangkok, attended by Messrs P. Choudhury (FAO-RAP), Luu, Kumar and the reporting officer. The meeting discussed the content of the mission report, and agreed with the findings and recommendations of the mission.
The reporting officer wishes to express his sincere appreciation for the kind collaboration and attention received during his stays in Viet Nam. The assistance by the staff of RIA No.1 is especially acknowledged. Support and useful information was also provided by staff of FAO and UNDP offices in Hanoi, as well as by the Project's Lead Consultant, Dr D. Kumar, and Messrs M. Choudhury and M. Doeff of FAO's Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific.
