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Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development CARD Project Progress Report 002/05/VIE Technical and economic feasibility of applying the Better Management Practices (BMP) to household aquaculture in Vietnam MS-3: Economic and Technical Evaluation of Shrimp Culture Management Practices in Nort Central Vietnam May, 2007 1 Executive Summary The aim of the study is to analyse current shrimp farming practices in north-central Vietnam, assess the status of farm production and socioeconomic and environmental conditions, and identify constraints to the adoption of Better Management Practices. The report presents the findings of a survey of 90 shrimp farmers in three north-central provinces in Vietnam (Ha Tinh, Nghe An and Thua Thien-Hue). The cost of shrimp production is dominated by feeding (averaging 65% of total costs) with feed varieties differing across provinces. The purchase of shrimp seed is the second biggest cost (averaging 13% of total costs). Most respondents indicated that the quality of the seed was fair (on a scale from 1 (very good) to 4 (poor), the average score was 2.7). The seed quality rankings were positively correlated to the frequency of seed quality checking. Other minor costs include pond repair (conducted by hired contract labour at an average of 45,000VND/man-day - or USD2.80/man-day in April 2007 exchange rates), energy use, chemical and bio-product application (Diatomite, Zeolite and others), and lime and fertilisers application (urea, phosphorus and NPK). Environmental testing (mostly for water quality) and disease checking is done by 75% of respondents. Diseases were found to be present by 75% of those respondents who conducted disease testing, although this percentage is higher in provinces where disease checking is less prevalent. The average estimated loss from disease, mostly through yield decreases, was estimated to be 7 million VND (two-thirds of the realized shrimp net revenue). Hence, there is significant potential to reduce disease and increase production through improved management practices. The average pond size is almost 7,000m2, the average shrimp harvest size is 18g, the average price is 63,000 Vietnamese Dong (VND)/kg, and average farm production is approximately 760kg or 100g/m2. Average farm production varies significantly across provinces, from 50g/m2 to 150g/m2. The average net income (gross revenue minus costs) is calculated to be approximately 11 million VND (approximately USD665) or 1,600 VND/m2 (or USD0.10/m2), with significant differences experienced across provinces (ranging from 0.3 to 16 million VND, or 100 to 2,700VND/m2). Higher net revenue is associated with lower disease incidence. The average benefit cost ratio was calculated to be 1.29 indicating that the shrimp culture operations are cost-effective; that approximately 1.29VND is received in income for every 1VND spent. This also varied across provinces, ranging from 1.02 to 1.44. These calculations are based on one-year of data on established shrimp farming system and do not include the opportunity cost of household labour. It was found that on average, shrimp culture has been practiced for approximately 5 years with approximately half of the active labour force involved in shrimp farming. Nonaquaculture income-earning pursuits include agriculture, livestock, capture fishing, processing and contract labour. Income from these pursuits averaged 12 million VND per household. Hence, shrimp farming contributes approximately 47% of household income (ranging from 3% to 59%). Economic and Technical Evaluation of Shrimp Culture Management Practices in North Central Vietnam Respondents indicated that lack of capital is the single biggest constraint to the development of the industry. Other more minor constraints include the lack of suitable shrimp species with seed of good quality, underdeveloped culture techniques, lack of management skill, lack of market information, high input prices, and low harvest prices. The shrimp culture activities were found to have positive impacts on the community including increased employment opportunities and the associated development of local infrastructure. However, perceived negative impacts on the community include the loss of local traditional job opportunities, reduced natural catches from capture fisheries, increased water pollution and increased social and land use conflict. Almost all shrimp farmers had participated in a technical training course for shrimp culture (96% of respondents), with at least two-thirds of respondents in each provinces applying the techniques in which they were trained. No respondents had attended a training course specifically on Better Management Practices for shrimp culture, although 20% of respondents had received extension material on Better Management Practices. A comparison of current culture practices and Better Management Practice recommendations shows that, generally, respondents adhere to the recommended pond size, time allowed for pond drying and lime applications. However, compared to the recommendations, respondents were found to apply higher rates of fertiliser (which had little impact on net revenue but may have off-farm environmental impacts) and use lower stocking densities (which may be due to lack of capital or availability) with lower than expected production volumes (which are at least partly due to low stocking density and small shrimp harvest size). Shrimp farmers were found to be willing to learn about and improve on their management practices. The lack of awareness of Better Management Practices and the partial lack of adherence to their recommendations indicates a need for further analysis of the economic and technical constraints to the comprehensive adoption of Better Management Practices, and for improved extension of Better Management Practice information and capacity-building activities. Research Institute for Aquaculture No 1 and The University of Western Australia 3 Economic and Technical Evaluation of Shrimp Culture Management Practices in North Central Vietnam Table of Contents Executive Summary ........................................................................................... 2 1. Introduction .................................................................................................. 5 2. Methodology .................................................................................................. 6 3. Data Analysis................................................................................................. 9 3.1 General information about the household .......................................................................9 3.2 General shrimp culture practices ...................................................................................11 3.3 Shrimp seed sources and quality ...................................................................................12 3.4 Pond preparation............................................................................................................13 3.5 Chemical and bio-product application...........................................................................14 3.6 Feeding and other inputs to production .........................................................................14 3.7 Testing of environmental and disease conditions..........................................................15 3.8 Shrimp revenue and other income sources....................................................................16 3.9 Attendance at training courses and use of BMPs ..........................................................18 3.10 Factors influencing and being influenced by shrimp culture ......................................19 4. Discussion and Conclusions ......................................................................... 22 Research Institute for Aquaculture No 1 and The University of Western Australia 4 Economic and Technical Evaluation of Shrimp Culture Management Practices in North Central Vietnam 1. Introduction Household shrimp production in Vietnam is the predominant form of coastal aquaculture. In 2003, approximately 341,000 tonnes of shrimp was produced comprising 12% of total fisheries production in Vietnam but 50% of the total fisheries value (shrimp production was valued at USD1.4billion in 2003) (http://www.fistenet.gov.vn). Approximately 70% of shrimp production is produced through aquaculture operations, which comprises approximately 24% of total aquaculture production by volume but 71% by value. Shrimp production is increasing, with 13% and 21% growth experienced in 2002 and 2003, respectively. Moreover, growth of aquaculture-produced shrimp is higher at 20% and 28% in 2002 and 2003, respectively. Prices have remained steady such that the growth in the value of shrimp production is similar to the growth in volume (http://www.fistenet.gov.vn). In recent years, residues and contaminants have been detected in exported shrimp, with devastating results in markets and decreasing shrimp farm gate prices. In 2003, five consignments from Thua Thien-Hue province to the European Union were destroyed or returned because of the presence of residues, and it is likely that a far larger quantity from all north central provinces were similarly treated in 2004. Low standards of education, limited farm capital and minimal opportunities for capacity-building amongst households have resulted in inappropriate farm practices, which have caused degradation of the environment, declines in water quality, loss of farm resources and disease outbreaks. As a consequence, the livelihood of many of these farmers is seriously threatened. The loss of production, negative environmental and socio-economic impacts, and food safety concerns have provided impetus for the extension of better management practises (BMP) to household shrimp farms. BMPs have been used in many countries to put into practice the more general principles of responsible shrimp farming (FAO 1995). They can be defined as farm and local-level practices aimed at enhancing efficiency, productivity, mitigating negative environmental and socio-economic impacts, and suppling products that meet requirements of food safety. BMPs are voluntary and are becoming widely used as an important strategy to enhance the marketability of aquaculture product. A number of projects have contributed to the development of practical BMPs for shrimp farming in Vietnam (e.g. a Danida funded SUMA/NACA project and a NAFIQAVED (National Fisheries Quality Assurance and Veterinary Directorate) pilot project) (see Appendix 1 for the list of BMP protocols). These projects have proposed specific BMPs and have conducted some small-scale testing of these BMPs. Their findings have not yet been widely disseminated among producers and BMP implementation is still limited. This is due to a number of financial, social, technical and economic feasibility constraints. Small-scale household shrimp farms are extremely diverse and fragmented, and their capacities to adopt BMP are hampered by lack of awareness, capital constraints and lack of perceived incentive. The benefits of applying BMP to household farms remain to be fully investigated. However, experience in Thailand, India and Bangladesh has shown that small-scale farmers who applied BMPs made gains in efficiency, productivity and quality (SUMA, 2004). Research Institute for Aquaculture No 1 and The University of Western Australia 5 Economic and Technical Evaluation of Shrimp Culture Management Practices in North Central Vietnam This report is one output of a project jointly funded by the Australian Agency for International Development and the Vietnam Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development through the Collaboration for Agriculture and Rural Development Programme (CARD). It presents the results of a survey of 90 Vietnamese shrimp farmers conducted to analyse current shrimp farming practices in north-central Vietnam, assess the status of farm production and socio-economic and environmental conditions, and identify constraints to the adoption of BMPs. The results will be used to inform analysis of the economic and technical impacts of implementing BMPs, assist in the selection of demonstration farms and for use as baseline indicators for comparison with demonstration and control farms during and after project completion. The report proceeds with a methodology (Section 2), data analysis (Section 3) and discussion and conclusions (Section 4). 2. Methodology The survey implementation and analysis followed the set of steps: Step 1: Create survey questionnaire The questionnaire was drafted by personnel at the Research Institute for Aquaculture Number 1 (RIA1). Feedback on this questionnaire was provided by personnel at the University of Western Australia (UWA) before it was finalised (see Appendix 2). Step 2: Data collection The questionnaire was administered by personnel at RIA1. A total of 90 interviewees participated in the survey, 30 from each of three provinces; Ha Tinh, Nghe An and Thua Thien-Hue (see Figure 1). These provinces were selected as they are located in the northern central regions of Vietnam (the project focus area) and as they are considered to have significant potential for shrimp culture compared with other provinces due to large areas of brackish water and appropriate rural infrastructure. The questionnaires were piloted and then administered by three RIA1 staff members via a face-to face survey of shrimp farmers in October 2006. Step 3: Data analysis and report writing The Australian (UWA) and Vietnamese (RIA1) partners collaborated in the data analysis and report writing. Initial data analysis was conducted through email contact. A project meeting in Perth will be held in late 2007 to further discuss and verify the survey findings. Version 2 of the report will be was finalised after the project meeting in Perth. Step 4: Stakeholder feedback and finalization of report Key report findings will be summarized and distributed to key stakeholder groups for comment regarding the results and their implications. An augmented report that includes these stakeholder comments will be published subsequently. Project team The Vietnam-based project team comprised: Research Institute for Aquaculture No 1 and The University of Western Australia 6 Economic and Technical Evaluation of Shrimp Culture Management Practices in North Central Vietnam ¾ Dr Dinh Van Thanh - Head of the Socio Economic Department of RIA1, and ¾ Mr Nguyen Xuan Suc The Australian-based project team comprised: ¾ Dr Elizabeth Petersen – Applied Economist, Advanced Choice Economics Pty Ltd and The University of Western Australia, ¾ Ms Abbie McCartney - Natural Resource Economist, The University of Western Australia, and ¾ Dr Steven Schilizzi – Associate Professor, The University of Western Australia. Research Institute for Aquaculture No 1 and The University of Western Australia 7 Economic and Technical Evaluation of Shrimp Culture Management Practices in North Central Vietnam Nghe An Ha Tinh Thua Thien-Hue Figure 1: Vietnamese provincial map indicating the location of the three project provinces Research Institute for Aquaculture No 1 and The University of Western Australia 8 Economic and Technical Evaluation of Shrimp Culture Management Practices in North Central Vietnam 3. Data Analysis The analysis of data generated from the household questionnaires is presented here. Where appropriate, analysis is presented as an average of all 90 respondents as well as disaggregated for each of the three project provinces (Ha Tinh, Nghe An and Thua ThienHue, 30 respondents in each province). This section is divided into 10 sub-sections: - general information about the household (sub-section 3.1), - general shrimp culture practices (sub-section 3.2), - shrimp seed sources and quality (sub-section 3.3), - pond preparation (sub-section 3.4), - chemical and bio-product application (sub-section 3.5), - feeding and other inputs to production (sub-section 3.6), - testing of environmental and disease conditions (sub-section 3.7), - shrimp revenue and other income sources (sub-section 3.8), - attendance at training courses and use of BMPs (sub-section 3.9), and - factors influencing and being influenced by shrimp culture (sub-section 3.10). 3.1 General information about the household General household statistics for each province are provided in this section. The average household size for all provinces is approximately 5 members with little variation across provinces (Table 1). The average age of the household head is approximately 47 years, ranging from 41 years in Ha Tinh to 50 years in Thua Thien-Hue, of which 86% are male. The average length of time for which shrimp culture has been practiced is approximately 5.4 years although this varies significantly across provinces (ranging from 3.1 years in Nghe An to 8.5 years in Thua Thien-Hue). Table 1: Household data by province Province Ha Tinh Average number of household 5.1 members Average age of household head 41 (years) % of male household heads 90 Average number of years shrimp 4.8 culture has been practiced Nghe An Thua Thien-Hue All 4.7 5.5 5.1 48 50 47 80 87 86 3.1 8.5 5.4 Approximately 52% of the household members are male (Figure 2). On average, 55% of the household members are involved in the labour force, of which almost half are involved in the aquaculture labour force. There is little variation in these statistics across provinces. Research Institute for Aquaculture No 1 and The University of Western Australia 9 Economic and Technical Evaluation of Shrimp Culture Management Practices in North Central Vietnam % of male HH members % of HH members 60 50 40 % of HH members in labour force 30 20 10 0 Nghe An Ha Tinh Hue All Provinces % of HH members in aquaculture labour force Figure 2: Additional household data by province The majority of household heads have completed either secondary or high school education (Table 2). The highest level of eduction for the majority of Ha Tinh respondents is high school (63%) and for Nghe An respondents is secondary school (67%). Approximately equal numbers of respondents have completed primary, secondary and high school in Thua Thien-Hue. Vocational studies have not been completed by survey respondents, except for 7 respondents in Nghe An. Table 2: Percentage of household heads according to highest level of education Province Primary Secondary High Vocational Schoolc Schoola Schoolb Leveld Ha Tinh 0 37 63 0 Nghe An 3 67 23 7 Thua Thien-Hue 30 37 33 0 Total 11 47 40 2 a First 5 years of education, generally when students are aged 6 to 10. Subsequent 4 years of education, generally when students are aged 11 to 14. c Subsequent 3 years of education, generally when students are aged 15 to 17. d A further 1 or 2 years of training in a specific field, often taken straight after high school. b Shrimp culture and agriculture are the most common occupations among respondents, including both main and supplementary occupations (Table 3). Notably, a large majority of respondents in the Thua Thien-Hue province state shrimp culture as their main occupation (67%), while agriculture is more common in the Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces. To a lesser extent, respondents are also involved in handicrafts, trading, construction and various other occupations. Research Institute for Aquaculture No 1 and The University of Western Australia 10