REPORT OF THE PROJECT COORDINATOR
14. The NACA Coordinator presented his report covering the period since the last Advisory Committee meeting held on October 26–28, 1983. His report along with those of the Lead Centre Director are contained in Annex VI.
15. In reporting on the progress of project activities and achievements, he informed the Committee that much effort was directed at generating fellowship support for the two NACA training courses as well as implementing the recommendations of ADCOM/TPR meetings, including those of the Working Group on the establishment of a self-supporting mechanism. While the three major activities of research, training and information and other relevant activities of NACA were being implemented, considerable efforts had been made in preparing for the UNDP Evaluation Mission, the Research Management Seminar and the Fourth ADCOM/TPR meetings.
16. While construction of the remaining facilities was near completion in the Indian Lead Centre, the construction of the 4-storeyed research and training laboratory of the Chinese Centre is making rapid progress and is expected to be completed by mid-1985. The construction of the 2.4 ha experimental integrated fish farm will soon be completed.
17. The project staff of NACA has been reduced to three, one in Thailand and two in the Philippines Centres.
18. While all the centres are accelerating the implementation of research, the fish disease epidemic in Thailand and the severe flooding in 1983 have seriously hampered the research activities of the Thai Centre. However, much efforts have been directed at resolving the disease problem through an interdisciplinary approach. The research is of regional importance.
19. Technical reports and technology on some aspects of aquaculture systems of importance to the region are being prepared for dissemination and testing under local conditions.
20. The Committee was informed that despite funding constraints and other problems related to nomination of candidates, the project has been able to implement the two NACA group training courses in 1984 with fellowship grants amounting to $368,000 generated from nine funding sources. This has been largely due to the efforts of governments in seeking funding support through bilateral and multilateral funding agencies, of which IDRC is the largest sponsor in 1984. The TCDC allocation of $55,000 from China IPF have been used to meet the fellowship needs of deserving candidates of the RLCC training course.
21. Of the $1,282,300 total fellowship cost since 1981, the project had contributed $436,000 plus administrative and operational costs in running the two training programmes.
22. A total of 125 participants from 19 countries graduated from the training programmes, of which 68 from the 4-month training course and 57 from the one-year course. Another 21 from the latter course will possibly graduate in March 1985.
23. The project monitors the post-training performance of NACA graduates through questionnaires. Feedback has been encouraging with most of them well-placed in their respective national aquacualture development programmes, in planing and administration, research, training and extension. Most have indicated greater confidence in their work performance, with many being promoted to or placed in more responsible positions.
24. Governments in the region have been invited to nominate candidates for the 5th RLCP and RLCC training courses.
25. The Project Coordinator further informed the Committee that a joint survey on future training needs has been initiated in collaboration with IDRC. Preliminary survey by questionnaires has been completed while consultations with national authorities through visits to concerned countries will be conducted between December 1984 and January 1985.
26. The Committee was informed that teaching materials on aquafarming systems/practices and techniques are continually being prepared and updated. These materials include video tapes, training manuals and lecture notes.
27. On information activities, the Committee was informed that about 1000 data units have been processed and stored; abstracts of bibliographic information from local publications are being collected for expanding the ASFA data base; a programme for retrieving bibliographic information from ASFA data base using the MINISIS package has been developed by ADCP.
28. A checklist of available information along with computer print out of cross reference tables and selected data units have been sent to participating governments explaining the ways in which such information could be used for development planning, research and training. The Committee was further informed that participating governments and national aquaculture institutions have also been requested to assist in the collection of information and that Hong Kong and Singapore have responded to the request.
29. The Project Coordinator informed the Committee that all centres are now collecting and processing aquaculture numerical information for the AQUIS data base. While RLCT and RLCP have initiated a programme for collection of aquaculture data from various sources in Thailand and the Philippines respectively, RLCC has set up a coordinated programme for the collection of numerical data through field surveys. RLCI is in the final stage of completing the computer facilities.
30. Two computer staff, one each from RLCT and RLCP, underwent a week's training course on computer management system in June 1984. ADCP system analyst visited RLCC, RLCT and RLCP in October/November, 1984 to assist in the computerised information programme.
31. The project continued publication of the NACA Newsletter twice a year.
32. The Committee was informed that project documents for the establishment of national aquaculture centres in Thailand and the Philippines have been prepared and an FAO/TCP proposal for establishing the national centre in the Philippines has been approved in principle. Bangladesh has earmarked its fish culture station at Mymensingh for linking with lead centres in 1986, while actions are being taken to set up national centres in Indonesia and Nepal.
33. In highlighting NACA's operation within the framework of TCDC, the Coordinator pointed out that the technical cooperative activities have been firmly established in the one-year training course for senior aquaculturists, involving the voluntary services of more than 100 regional scientists/aquaculturists belonging to 13 or more agencies serving in the capacity of instructors or resource persons.
34. The Committee was informed that China has made available $185,000 from its country IPF under TCDC project CPR/82/002 to support 21 trainees from the region to undergo training in integrated fish farming in 1983 and 1984, in addition to her token contribution of $5,000 to the NACA core programme; that a similar project proposal has now been formulated for strengthening the India Lead Centre's ability to implement its TCDC activities.
35. TCDC programmes for the research and information components of NACA have also been initiated recently including the programme for secondment of young scientists to participate as members of interdisciplinary research teams of lead centres.
36. The Committee was informed of the expanded collaborative activities of NACA with other organisations and agencies such as SEAFDEC and IDRC. While a number of agencies have collaborated in sponsoring trainees to the training courses, the project is expected to firm up a closer collaboration with IDRC in research, training and information activities in addition to secondment of young acientists and video production.
37. The major problem faced by the project continued to be shortage of funds and manpower. This was further compounded by the uncertainty of the project's future which has seriously affected long-term planning and negotiations with national and international bodies for collaboration and support in project activities.
38. The Committee noted the recommendations of the Project Coordinator concerning the future activities of NACA. In addition to continuation, consolidation and expansion of the major activities in training, research and information, the project will undertake the following activities :
establishing linkages between national aquaculture institutions and lead centres and strengthening network activities.
implementing TCDC activities through free exchange of aquaculturists/scientists and expertise, and the secondment of young scientists to work as members of research teams of lead centres for in-service training.
providing ad hoc assistance for undertaking feasibility studies, formulation of projects and their implementation, and generating funding support for project activities.
39. With regards to future funding support, the Committee was informed that the matter as contained in the report of the UNDP Evaluation Mission and the report of the Working Group Meeting would be brought up for discussion under the specific agenda item.
REPORTS OF THE LEAD CENTRE DIRECTORS
40. The National Directors of the four lead centres reported progress of their activities since the last Advisory Committee Meeting.
Activities of RLCC
41. Construction of research and training building which began in October 1983 is expected to be completed by the end of the year Facilities for the experimental integrated fish farm are expected to be operational soon.
42. RLCC continues to conduct research on
relationship between size and depth of manured ponds and fish yield,
performance of different manures in relation to fish production,
modelling of integrated fish farming systems, and
effects of fermented and unfermented (fresh) livestock manure on fish production.
Preliminary results obtained are being analysed.
43. A comprehensive survey is being conducted by a number of institutions throughout the country and coordinated by RLCC to collect production and economic data of the farming systems and practices to determine their economic efficiencies and production significance.
44. The Committee was informed that the 4th training course organized by RLCC was completed in August 1984 with all the 18 participants receiving certificates of achievements. RLCC Director reported that while the training course is a routinized operation, the course contents are being constantly upgraded and teaching methods improved through the use of video tapes, field visits and laboratory practicum. The performance of the trainees has been satisfactory; the trainees were diligent, enthusiastic and cooperative, demonstrating keen interest in the training.
45. While instructional materials are being developed such as the video tapes on integrated fish farming in China, efforts are underway to revise the existing training manual “Integrated Fish Farming (1981)”. The English version of the manual will be made available in the next training course in April 1985.
46. Since the installation of HP3000 in March, 1984, about 30 data units have been processed and stored. The Centre Director informed the Committee that the results of the joint survey on integrated fish farming systems and practices throughout China would provide the needed data for AQUIS.
47. About 114 bibliographic references of technical papers in Chinese with English abstracts have been compiled. These will be added to the ASFA data base.
Activities of RLCI
48. The Director of the lead centre reported that development of infrastructural facilities was near completion with most of the training and research facilities being constructed and some being already operational.
49. Research work on carp culture in undrainable ponds is still continuing. While interdisciplinary research projects are being undertaken, the different laboratories have developed research excellence in carrying out disciplinary research on specific areas of importance which are contributory to improving the farming system and pond production.
50. Disciplinary research conducted in RLCI includes evaluation of gynogenetic off-spring of rohu, feed formulation and preparation of micro-encapsulated diets, investigation on communicable and non-communicable diseases of carps and microbiological studies of production ponds.
51. The Centre adopts an interdisciplinary research approach in its effort to solve production-oriented problems especially with reference to broodstock management in undrainable ponds.
52. In addition to conducting annual training for RLCP participants, the Centre also conducted national training for government officials and trainees in upgrading national aquaculture capabilities. The Centre also conducted on-campus training programmes for fish farmers and women-folk at its Farm Science Centre (KVK). On the other hand, national staff of the Centre have also undergone training abroad under various national/international-assisted projects.
53. The Centre is making great effort to complete the installation of air-conditioning facilities needed for the operation of the HP3000 mini-coumputer. Efforts have been made by the Centre staff to collect the necessary numerical data for AQUIS.
Activities of RLCP
54. On behalf of the Centre Director, Mr. Pastor Torres Jr., the Director of Training and Extension Division, SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department reported that RLCP continues to implement the three programmes of activities in training, research and information, with the research activity finally establishing its momentum and gathering credibility in the national sector particularly with the successful spawning of sea bass and groupers in captivity.
55. The research activity concentrates on the refinement and improvement of existing hatchery and grow-out techniques/technologies on shrimps, groupers and sea bass for ultimate technology packaging and testing before disseminating to the fish farmers.
56. Current research efforts are being focused on
development of hatchery techniques for groupers,
mass seed production of sea bass,
verification of shrimp larval rearing techniques,
improving traditional shrimp culture technique for increasing pond yield,
improving production through alternative culture of tiger and white shrimps, and
establishing criteria for selection of shrimp spawners.
57. The Committee was informed that RLCP has packaged two technologies on shrimp culture for testing in different climatic conditions.
58. RLCP has successfully concluded the Third Senior Aquaculturists Training Course in March, 1984 with 21 participants graduating; nineteen of them were awarded the Master of Aquaculture Degree by UPV.
59. The 4th training course is progressing satisfactorily with 21 trainees from 11 countries. The trainees have completed the study tour from 11 July to 19 September, receiving practical training in Thailand, India and China.
60. The number of sponsoring agencies has increased from 3 in 1983/84 session to 7 in 1984/85 session, with approximately $200,000 of a total fellowship fund of $ 233,300 contributed by agencies other than UNDP.
61. The information activity concentrates on data collection for AQUIS, with 510 data units presently being processed. The Committee was further informed that the Computer Unit of RLCP is being reorganised. The host institution has acquired new terminals and disc drive to strengthen the existing computer system in order to cope with projected usage of the computer and the incorporation of Brackishwater Aquaculture Information System (BRAIS) into the information service programme.
Activities of RLCT
62. The Centre Director reported that RLCT activities have slowed down considerably due to fish disease epidemic and the aftermath of severe floods in 1983. Despite these problems, some progress has been made and plans are being formulated to provide greater inputs in the implementation of future RLCT activities.
63 While efforts are being made to strengthen the national staff in NIFI and establishment of field facilities for conducting production oriented research, the Lead Centre in Thailand continues to provide the annual training of RLCP trainees during their stay in Thailand.
64. The Committee was informed that due to unprecedented floods in the Central Plains, many grow-out experiments on Macrobrachium and catfish were aborted. The monitoring of the pilot project for Trichogaster (Siamese gouramy) culture and the experiments on pen culture of Puntius and tilapia were similarly abandoned. However, fresh experiments have been initiated and results being analysed.
65. The Committee was also informed that field survey on Pangasius culture are continuing while the technology for Macrobrachium culture has been compiled. Laboratory experiments on fish nutrition are being carried out.
66. The Director of RLCT informed the Committee that as a result of the national crisis created by the fish disease epidemic in Thailand, the Centre has been requested to take a lead role to conduct an in-depth study through a multidisciplinary team of researchers drawn from various technical agencies and tertiary institutions.
67. A total of 247 data units have been stored and merged with those from ADCP and RLCP. Another 70 data input sheets have been completed for addition to the AQUIS data base.
68. The Centre has begun to receive requests for AQUIS and ASFA information from scientists, farmers and institutions within and outside the region.
