Development of sustainable aquaculture project: progress report (1 January 2003 - 31 March 2003)

Abstract

The Development of Sustainable Aquaculture Project (DSAP) was authorized by USAID under the Cooperative Agreement # 388-A-00-00-00068-00 on 28 June 2000. This technical progress report covers activities for the three months of the project, 1 April 2003 through 30 June 2003. The main thrust of the Development of Sustainable Aquaculture Project is to sponsor on-farm aquaculture production demonstrations implemented through co-operating NGO partners. These demonstrations are expected to show farmers and their neighbors the profitability of managed aquaculture systems as small business operations. Both small ponds and integrated rice and fish systems, based on research proven production results, are the target of these demonstrations. The Project also has a research component directed to understanding and exploring additional production options, improving the technology transfer process and monitoring the impact of the adopted aquaculture practices. This quarterly technical progress report covers (i) the final selection of the new demonstration sites and participating households/farmers, (ii) the monitoring of the members of supported Demonstration Farmer Groups, (iii) the collection of data for the demonstration performance surveys, (iv) the design of the 2000-01 impact assessment (v) the first one-day workshop disseminating the research findings of the awarded studies and (vi) training of partner NGO and associate partner NGO staff.