| Author | Bouaphanh Konedavong |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no. AQ-00-16 |
| Subject(s) | Aquaculture|--Laos--Vientiane
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| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. AQ-00-16 |
| Abstract | A study of potentials and constraints in the development of small-scale aquaculture was conducted in six villages of five districts in Vientiane province. The study area covered two resource systems, lowland and upland, two ethnic groups, Lao Loum and Lao Seung, and three fish culture systems e.g. pond culture, traditional rice fish culture in the upland, and modernized rice fish culture in the irrigated lowland. The study was carried out in order to achieve an in-depth understanding on the constraints of small-scale aquaculture in the province, so as to identify appropriate recommendations for the improvement of the technical and extension approach to its development. A survey was made of 90 fish farms and 30 non-fish farms to assess the wide variety of fish farming techniques and constraints in the six representative villages and to identify those with most relevance for small-scale farmers. Lack of proper knowledge on farm management, especially on fish culture, shortage of seed of appropriate size during the growout period, low survival rate of fish due to small fry and predation by wild fish emerged as constraints in development of small-scale aquaculture. A shortage of suitable pond fertilizers and feed inputs was identified as a major constraint for small-scale farmers involved aquaculture. Moreover lack of suitable land, inadequate water availability, especially in rainfed area, and lack of technical and financial assistance to farmers, meant that the enterprise was only partly successful. Fish seed availability is the key factor for securing the initial and basic requirement of fish production. Fry nursing to obtain big fingerlings the survival of fish could be increase. The cheapest and easiest way for the farmers to feed fish is to add animal manure into the ponds. The addition of a relatively cheap, energy-rich supplementary feed such as rice bran to the pond could have significantly increased the fish yield for a good economic return. There is a need for strengthening the research and extension networks to conduct onfarm trials or demonstrations and dissemination of appropriate technology packages down to the grass root level. Participation of farmers in technology adaptation should take place as early as possible. The participatory farming systems research approach whereby farmers are involved at the initial stage of research planning and until to the stage of the technology evaluation, and adoption will be an appropriate approach for technology transfer. The adaptation of the existing technologies should be carried out on-farm to ensure social acceptability and economic viability |
| Year | 2000 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. AQ-00-16 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (Former title: Department of Food Agriculture, and BioResources (DFAB)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Aquaculture and Aquatic Resources Management (AQ) |
| Chairperson(s) | Demaine, Harvey; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Edwards, Peter;Yakupitiyage, Amararatne; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | DANIDA - Aquaculture; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2000 |