©FAO/J. Thompson

SUPPORTING THE NATIONAL TECHNICAL CAPACITY BUILDING FOR DEVELOPING SHRIMP FARMING SECTOR IN CAMBODIA

May 2020

SDGs:

Countries: Cambodia

Project Code: TCP/CMB/3607

FAO Contribution USD 150 000

Duration: 1 May 2017 – 31 December 2019

Contact Info: FAO Representation in Cambodia [email protected] SUPPORTING THE NATIONAL TECHNICAL CAPACITY BUILDING TCP/CMB/3607 FOR DEVELOPING SHRIMP FARMING SECTOR IN CAMBODIA

BACKGROUND Cambodia experienced a decade of rapid economic growth until 2014, putting it among the world‘s fastest-growing economies during this period. It has also been one of the world’s best performing Millennium Development Goal achievers. The country has a rich biodiversity of freshwater and marine resources, with the primary source of fishery production being the wild capture fisheries in the Great Lake, the Mekong, the Tonle Sap and Bassac rivers and their associated floodplains. Cambodia’s coastal zone, located on the south-west edge of the country, ©FAO/A.K. Kimoto extends for 435 km, and includes 85 100 ha of mangrove forests in three provinces: Koh Kong, Preah Sihanouk Ville Implementing Partner and Kampot. However, the production from both inland The Fisheries Administration (FiA) of the Ministry of and marine fisheries has rapidly decreased as a result Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. of overfishing, lost fish habitats, the construction of dams for hydropower, the increased use of chemical agriculture Beneficiaries activities and the effects of climate change. Aquaculture Female and male staff of the Department of Aquaculture thus plays an important role in meeting the present Development of FiA, the Fisheries Cantonment in the and future protein consumption demands of an three targeted provinces and the Marine Aquaculture ever-increasing population, as recognized in Cambodia’s Research and Development Centre (MARDeC), and female Rectangular Strategy III, the National Strategic and male shrimp farmers in extensive or semi-intensive Development Plan 2014-2018, the Agricultural Sector systems. Indirect beneficiaries are fisher communities and Strategic Development Plan 2014-2018 and the National the population in general. Strategic Plan for Aquaculture Development in Cambodia 2014-2030. Country Programming Framework (CPF) Outputs There is great potential in Cambodia for the continued CPF 2016-18: Outcome 1: Increased productivity, development of marine aquaculture, above all for shrimp, diversification and commercialization of agriculture, finfish and crustacean farming in the coastal zone. In order including livestock and aquaculture, for poverty reduction to support the development of shrimp farming, the and food and nutrition security. Output 1.3: Improved Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries requested capacity of targeted stakeholders, in particular women and FAO support to develop the capacities of the newly youth, in selected value chains to promote and use established Marine Aquaculture Research and improved production techniques and technologies. Development Centre. The aim of the project was to equip MARDeC technical staff with up-to-date knowledge and practical skills in shrimp farming using innovative biofloc technology, as well as in other good management practices.

IMPACT

The fisheries officers who were trained through the project have been enabled to perform shrimp hatchery operations and health management if the required financial resources are made available. The transfer of the knowledge acquired under the project will improve the productivity and efficiency of shrimp farming, contributing to food security and nutrition and enhancing people’s livelihood development in coastal areas in

©FAO Cambodia.

1 SUPPORTING THE NATIONAL TECHNICAL CAPACITY BUILDING TCP/CMB/3607 FOR DEVELOPING SHRIMP FARMING SECTOR IN CAMBODIA

ACHIEVEMENT OF RESULTS SUSTAINABILITY This was the first shrimp seed production project in 1. Capacity development Cambodia since 2017-19. The expected project outcome The project facilitated active collaboration among different could not be fully achieved following a number of institutions in fisheries administration, including DAD, operational constraints that prevented the full MARDeC and the Coastal Fisheries Administration implementation of the designed project activities. Despite Cantonments of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and this, the key project outputs were successfully delivered. Fisheries. Based on the situation on the ground, adjustments were 2. Gender equality made to the project, and the envisaged introduction of a biofloc system was replaced by the establishment of a Although the project did not have a specific gender focus, shrimp hatchery and nursery facility. A training manual on the designed project activities met the needs of both the application of shrimp hatchery and health women and men beneficiaries. management technology was developed and training in 3. Environmental sustainability shrimp seed production, grow-out and health Project implementation had no significant impact on the management was provided to officers from MARDeC, FiA environment. However, the successful adoption and and the Department of Aquaculture Development (DAD). scaling-up of the technology introduced by the project IMPLEMENTATION OF WORK PLAN will reduce pressure on natural shrimp stock.

The project suffered from many delays, primarily because 4. Human Rights-based Approach (HRBA) – in particular of the highly technical specifications of materials, which Right to Food and Decent Work were difficult to procure, and changes in recruitment The project was intended to address a bottleneck guidelines for the international consultants, which led to technical problem in shrimp farming in the country and the first international consultant being replaced in the had no specific relevance to issues regarding right to food middle of project implementation as a result of new and decent work. language certificate requirements. Despite these delays, 5. Technological sustainability which impeded the implementation of a small number of The technology introduced during the project responded activities, the project achieved most of its outputs within to the situation on the ground; however, its efficiency the established timeframe and budget. might be affected by the unavailability of such essential Envisaged risks included insufficient time and resources items as shrimp broodstock, artificial feed for shrimp being allocated to local staff, a lack of interest in biofloc larvae, specialized equipment and chemicals, which among shrimp farmers, and the supply of shrimp remain difficult to procure in Cambodia. broodstock from neighbouring countries or local farmers Theoretical and practical training was provided to FiA-DAD being affected by diseases, contamination or stress caused officers, MARDeC technical staff and cantonment fishery by transportation. These risks did not materialize or were officers. No training was conducted for farmers or other mitigated by the project. stakeholders as a result of budget constraints and the FOLLOW-UP FOR GOVERNMENT ATTENTION unavailability of key resource persons. The fisheries officers trained under the project are now able to perform It is recommended that the FiA-DAD and MARDeC officers shrimp hatchery operations and health management with trained under the project disseminate the knowledge and the required financial resources. However, some technical techniques learned in order to ensure their wider constraints may hinder the effective application of the application. transferred technology, such as the unavailability of key FiA-DAD should support MARDeC to continue to produce materials and equipment in the country. black tiger prawn seed with locally sourced broodstock, using the hatchery facility established under the project.

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6. Economic sustainability DOCUMENTS AND OUTREACH PRODUCTS The project was not able to mobilize significant financial  First mission report, 7-14 August 2017. resources for the sub-sector, which was not targeted Atjo Hassanuddin. by the project. However, the shrimp hatchery facility  Second mission report, 17-27 December 2017. established by the project can be used for further study Atjo Hassanuddin. on the seed production of shrimp and other species.  History and current status of Cambodian shrimp The shrimp hatchery technology demonstrated by the diseases. Khan Chan Dara. Presentation of 24 slides. project can be adopted by shrimp hatchery operators,  Current status of shrimp farming in Cambodia. while shrimp post-larvae produced with the technology Em Thearith. Presentation of 16 slides. introduced under the project, together with grow-out and  Artificial breeding and culture techniques of giant tiger shrimp health management techniques, can meet the shrimp (Penaeus monodon). Part one. Zhou Falin. needs of shrimp farmers in coastal areas. South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute (SCSFRI), Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences (CAFS). Interpreters: Khan Chan Dara and Em Thearith. Presentation of 30 slides.  Artificial breeding and culture techniques of giant tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon). Part two. Zhou Falin. SCSFR, CAFS. Interpreters: Khan Chan Dara and Em Thearith. Presentation of 106 slides.  Manual of artificial breeding and culture techniques of Penaeus monodon in Khmer. Phnom Penh, 2019. Interpreters: Khan Chan Dara and Em Thearith. ©FAO Approximately 50 pp. To be published.

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ACHIEVEMENT OF RESULTS - LOGICAL FRAMEWORK Expected Productivity and efficiency of shrimp farming will be improved to contribute to food security and nutrition and Impact people’s livelihood development in coastal areas in Cambodia Technical capacity of MARDeC staff and selected shrimp farmers in selected provinces in adopting up-to date shrimp farming technology and management practices is strengthened Biofloc innovative practice in shrimp farming is facilitated for MARDeC and DAD, as well as for Indicator selected shrimp farmers. Baseline 0 One innovative practice; at least 20 female and male MARDeC staff trained; at least 50 female End Target and male shrimp farmers facilitated. Around 60% was achieved in shrimp seed production and health management as a result of major constraints, described below: Outcome  International consultant recruitment was delayed by changes in recruitment guidelines.  The original technical design of the project did not match conditions on the ground. Comments  The procurement of key project materials was delayed by stringent requirements from and follow-up suppliers, and the system and facility installation by the implementing partner taking longer action to be than expected. taken  Seasonal constraints (low temperature making shrimp broodstock susceptible to diseases and immaturity of broodstock, especially slow ovary development) delayed shrimp seed production. Shrimp seed innovative practices in shrimp hatchery were facilitated and validated for MARDeC and DAD staff.

Technical staff capacity (of DAD and MARDeC) is effectively strengthened to adopt up-to-date shrimp hatchery and health management technology practices Indicators Target Achieved Output 1 1. Project inception workshop conducted. 1. 1 2. Training provided. 2. 1 Yes 3. DAD and MARDeC officers theoretically trained and offered hands-on practice in 3. 1 shrimp seed production and health management. 1. 0 Baseline 2. 0 3. 0 Because of delays in project implementation and other constraints, personnel receiving training did not have the opportunity to adopt what was learned. Comments Language barriers affected the effectiveness of technical training and hands-on training in hatchery operations. It is recommended that FiA-DAD and MARDeC further disseminate the knowledge and techniques learned for wider application. Conduct the project inception workshop Activity 1.1 Achieved Yes Comments Assess the capacity of MARDeC facilities, laboratory and staff Activity 1.2 Achieved Yes Comments Procurement and installation of shrimp hatchery and biofloc facilities and equipment Achieved Partially Biofloc facility and equipment were only partially procured and installed following adjustments in Activity 1.3 project implementation and other factors. Comments The shrimp hatchery and nursery facility were completed. FiA-DAD should support MARDeC to continue shrimp seed production in the established facility. Develop a training manual on the application of shrimp hatchery and health management technology Achieved Yes Activity 1.4 The manual was completed by the international consultant with facilitation by national Comments consultants before and during training at the end of the project. FiA-DAD needs to make every effort to disseminate the training materials.

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Organizing training course on the operation of shrimp hatchery, and grow-out and health management technology Achieved Yes Training in shrimp seed production, grow-out and health management was fully achieved for Activity 1.5 MARDeC, FiA cantonment and DAD officers. However, the language barrier impeded knowledge Comments and skills transfer from trainers to trainees. FiA-DAD should make more effort to train farmers in grow-out and shrimp health management techniques. Shrimp seed production, shrimp health management and related broodstock management technologies are successfully tested at MARDeC Indicators Target Achieved Output 2 Broodstock sourced and maintained at MARDeC facility to demonstrate shrimp seed production, and successful demonstration of shrimp hatchery operation to produce 1 Partially shrimp post-larvae at project-supported MARDeC facility Baseline 0 Instead of biofloc technology, the most commonly used shrimp seed production technology was applied, in line with the situation on the ground. A small quantity of black tiger prawn post-larvae was produced because of the off-season/delayed hatchery operation with low temperature, which affected gonad maturation, the spawning and hatching of eggs, and the Comments survival of both broodstock and shrimp larvae. The procured broodstock encountered high mortality and low gonad maturation largely because of unsuitable water quality conditions and low temperatures. FiA-DAD will support MARDeC to continue black tiger prawn seed production with locally sourced broodstock. Procurement and management of shrimp broodstock (nursing and production of post-larvae) Achieved Yes Activity 2.1 The procured black tiger prawn broodstock was in good condition at delivery by the supplier. Comments All female broodstock died before spawning or after the end of the project as a result of stressful breeding activities and inappropriate environmental breeding conditions. Installation of the biofloc system Achieved No Activity 2.2 Common shrimp hatchery and health management technology for MARDeC was established Comments following the adjustment in project implementation. Operate the biofloc system Achieved No Activity 2.3 A common shrimp hatchery and health management operations system was established Comments following the adjustment in the project implementation. Identifying farm facility for post-larvae production Achieved Partially Based on the situation on the ground, biofloc hatchery facilities were adjusted to become a common shrimp hatchery facility Activity 2.4 A shrimp hatchery was completely built but was not used for shrimp larvae nursing because of Comments unsuitable environmental conditions (low temperature). FiA-DAD supports MARDeC to continue shrimp seed production activities using the hatchery facility established with project support. Post-larvae production (testing recording and conclusions) Achieved Partially The activity was changed from operation of the biofloc system to a shrimp hatchery and health management operation following the adjustment to project implementation. Because of the delay in project implementation, the international consultant had insufficient Activity 2.5 time to finish all shrimp seed production stages. Consequently, only a small amount of shrimp Comments seed was produced. Shrimp post-larvae were produced in small amounts at the end of the project. At the end of the project, post-larvae shrimp were being fed and taken care of at MARDeC, with around 1 000 survivals and 20 remaining male broodstock.

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Technical manuals/guideline and strategy for dissemination of the up-to-date shrimp hatchery, health management technologies and management practices to shrimp hatchery are prepared Output 3 Indicators Target Achieved Strategy document prepared 1 Yes Baseline 0 Comments The strategy document needs to be refined and endorsed by FiA for implementation. Produce a practical manual on biofloc technology application in shrimp farming for farmers Achieved Partially Activity 3.1 The Manual of Artificial Breeding and Culture Techniques of Penaeus Monodon was facilitated Comments and translated into Khmer language for MARDeC and DAD officers by national consultants. The translated document needs to be disseminated widely. Conduct training for shrimp farmers Activity 3.2 Achieved No Comments Language barriers impeded the transfer of knowledge and skills from trainers to trainees. Produce a strategy for dissemination and management practices on shrimp farming technology Achieved No Activity 3.3 Following the adjustment to project implementation and the replacement of biofloc technology Comments by common shrimp hatchery technology, this activity was no longer required. Develop the report on exit strategy for MARDeC Activity 3.4 Achieved Yes Comments FiA needs to make every effort to implement the exit strategy. Develop a project proposal for scaling-up of biofloc technology in shrimp farming Achieved No Activity 3.5 The activity was not implemented following the adjustment in project implementation. The Comments expected scaling-up project proposal was not developed largely because the project outputs could not be fully delivered as a result of delays in project implementation. Organize project final workshop Activity 3.6 Achieved No Comments As biofloc technology had not been introduced by the project, a final workshop was not held.

6 Outreach, Marketing and Reporting Unit (PSRR) Business Development and Resource Mobilization Division (PSR)

For more information please contact: [email protected]