Potentials and constraints in the development of wastewater-fed aquaculture systems in the peri-urban area of Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam | |
| Author | Huynh Pham Viet Huy |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.AQ-03-12 |
| Subject(s) | Sewage sludge as feed|zVietnam Aquaculture|zVietnam |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environmnet, Resources Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. AQ-03-12 |
| Abstract | The current situation of wastewater-fed aquaculture (WFA) in Ho Chi Minh City and the potentials and constraints for its development were investigated in this study with the initial group discussions and a survey of 111 households involved in the WF A activities in Binh Chanh, and Thu Due districts. There are currently eight types of system for WFA, namely seed production, fish-livestock, fish-water mimosa, fish-lotus, rice-fish, fish-only, water spinach, and fish-water spinach. The respondents for the survey were drawn from the eight classified types of WF A systems. Information was also derived from many other key informants and sources, in which long experience farmers and government officials were the main key informants; the government official reports and documents as well as the database of the Faculty of Fisheries at the University of Agriculture and Forestry ofHCMC, were used as the main secondary data sources. Among the eight classified systems, some utilize efficiently the nutrient load from wastewater as a nutrient for fishpond, while in some others farmers have to control carefully the intake of wastewater. Several systems integrate fish and aquatic plants but in some others the aquatic plants only serve to maximize the land use intensity in the rainy season. Generally the WF A is characterized by the middle-aged farmers involved in the enterprise for a number of years, who have converted from some other occupation. Farmers largely own their cultivated land in the sense of having long-term lease from the State. They have moved into the enterprise with their own initiative, leaning technical knowledge from neighbours and families. WFA is the main occupation for most respondents, which provides employment, income and some proportion of their subsistence. Women are involved in WFA activities, especially in aquatic plants sector. The difference in costs and returns between the systems defines the socio-economic status of the households involved, some systems are suitable for richer groups and some others are more appropriate for the poorer households. Though the WF A has been providing a living to small, but significant number of urban farmers, it is now under the threats from the process of economic development of the city. Urbanization, especially housing and road construction, leading to the growth of urban areas, has already affected the inner city zone of district 6 and district 8, which used to be a concentrated place for WF A. The urbanization has also created livelihood uncertainties to farmers; they have to be ready for change. Attraction of high price of land and the impacts of urbanization projects are the main constraints resulting in the derease of wastewater and the decline of WF A area. Pollution from uncontrolled and dispersed industrialization, especially household industries, is another threat for WF A. However, up to now, production has been maintained offering a stable household income that is the good sign for the continuation of WF A. The WFA immediately needs institutional support, which is now a threat to its existence and future development. WF A has received very limited concern from the government and is not included in either in the development plans or the EIA of wastewater projects. There are overlaps in the target area between development plans, which is caused by lack of close relationship between the related organizations. Lacking clear strategies for aquaculture development seems to be the big constraint for WF A in the city. |
| Year | 2003 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. AQ-03-12 |
| 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 ;Yi, Yang ;Bart, Amrit; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Government of Denmark; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2003 |