An assessment of integrated shrimp-mangrove farming systems in the Mekong delta of Vietnam | |
| Author | Cao Thang Binh |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no. AE-94-25 |
| Subject(s) | Shrimp culture--Vietnam--Mekong Delta Mangrove swamps--Vietnam |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources & Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Mangrove ecosystems are one of the most productive coastal ecosystems. In recent years, they are being seriously threatened by shrimp culture development in the Mekong delta of Vietnam. Some efforts have been tried to develop shrimp-man grove integrated farming systems through State Forestry Fisheries Enterprises (SFFEs ), involving private farmers and a participatory approach. The present study investigated the shrimp- man grove farming systems in Ngoc hien district at the southern tip of the Mekong delta. The stud y was carried out to assess farming systems through a detailed farm-level survey, involving the technical, environmental, social an d economic factors. The results showed that along the east coast of the district, pH of bottom soil, water alkalinity, gate width ratio (ratio of gate width to the pond area), pond age and mangrove density had significant relations hips with shrimp pond yields. Along the west coast, pH of bottom s oil, phosphorus in water, canal area, flooding level of 'flat' (the flat is where man groves planted) in the dry a nd rainy seasons were also found to have a significant relations hip with shrimp pond yields. From a n economic analysis, based solely on the economic returns from shrimp culture, the farming systems with a man grove coverage of 30-503 of total pond area gave highest annual economic returns. However, if consider t he value of mangrove ecosystems including direct products and function s, the farming systems with a ma n grove area of 60-703 of pond area are recommended . The results clearly demonstrate t h e economic returns to farmers for maintaining ma n g roves in the farming systems. The key constraints a nd potential of shrimp- man grove integrated farming systems were determined and discussed based on these analyses. Some recommendations to improve current practices and overcome the constraints were also presented. |
| Year | 1994 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Other Field of Studies (No Department) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Agricultural and Food Engineering (AE) |
| Chairperson(s) | Phillips, Michael J. |
| Examination Committee(s) | Lin, Chang Kwei ;Demaine, Harvey ;Sununthar Setboonsarng |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Denmark |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1994 |