As the various activities of the project fall under both the private and the public sectors, so the status of various activities is described under these two main headings.
During the first mission, 14 possible sites (Barakau Marakiz - 5, Tarlai Marakiz - 7 and Sehala Marakiz - 2) were visited in three Marakizes of ICT of which only 7 potential sites (Barakau Marakiz - 2, Terlai Marakiz - 4 and Sehala Marakiz - 1) were recommended for technical reasons and for farmers' interest for final selection by the authority concerned. However, the procedure of final selection of the farmers was not completed in the three-month period for the same reason. Thus the lack of decision in selecting the farmer and lack of regular follow-up set back the schedule. This delay has created confusion among the farmers and they failed to renovate or construct fish ponds as the technical assistance was not available. Of the recommended seven farmers from three Marakizes, only one, Mr Mohammed Ayub from Sehala Marakiz, showed consistent interest in the programme and took the initiative to construct a pond with his own method and resources. The construction site was visited by the consultant with his national counterpart. To encourage the farmer, the consultant fixed the profile of the pond to ensure its proper construction. During the same period, the shortage of labour construction work was also resolved by the prompt action of the authority concerned (Director, Agriculture Extension, NARC), who provided a bulldozer at Government rate to excavate the earth for the construction of the pond dikes. As further support, the Directorate of Fisheries assigned staff at the medium level to take care of construction. Progress to date is satisfactory.
Pond construction is a new concept to the farmers as well as to the staff of the Fisheries Department. Given their lack of knowledge on pond construction, the consultant recommends the services of a qualified engineer during the construction period, and immediate action should be taken in this respect. In Sehala Marakiz, the selection of a second farmer with a pond has been made. In Terlai Marakiz, there are two interested candidates - one, a vegetable grower, has already constructed a pond but maintenance of the pond slope is required and the construction of an outlet and a monk are necessary. The second farmer has already requested a bulldozer and is in the process of construction. The consultant, with the national counterpart and his staff, spent half-a-day in fixing the profile of the pond.
In the third Marakiz - Barakau, field trips were made with national counterparts and potential sites with a good water supply have been recommended for final selection. The authorities endorsed the selection and it is anticipated that the national authority will also support the construction work by assigning a qualified engineer as well as in providing a bulldozer at Government rate.
Considering the farmers' interest as well as a number of potential sites in various Marakizes, the consultant is confident that six demonstration ponds can be established (at least two ponds in each Marakiz), even though the project document aims to establish only three demonstration ponds. The setting-up of more ponds with the same effort will be encouraging as the activity of the demonstration pond will cover more villages and a greater population, moreover, the extension personnel will be also more productive. Therefore, to cover a wider area of the ICT, the consultant strongly recommends to explore the opportunity of establishing two ponds in each Marakiz.
A total of six selected farmers (two farmers from each Marakiz) were invited to the Directorate of Fisheries, ICT, for two days' briefing on low-cost fish farming techniques. In collaboration with the national counterpart and staff, the consultant briefed the farmers on pond construction and related activities of fish culture. On the second day, group discussions were held to respond to the questions raised by the farmers. Thanks to the assistance of national staff, the consultant had no problem in communicating with the farmers. The frank and ready participation of the farmers was very encouraging and satisfactory results can be expected provided the follow-up programme is carried out as planned.
In order to show the significant role of low-cost fish-farming in the rural areas of Nepal and Thailand, a study tour of 24 days was proposed for the National Project Director for August-September 1987. On the request of FAO, the Fishing Institutes of both countries supported the programme and organized the study tour in accordance wtih project objectives. Observations made during the organized study tour were reported as being very useful and applicable to the rural areas of ICT (for details see study tour report of National Project Director, in preparation).
The public sector institution - Directorate of Fisheries, ICT, is small and handicapped by lack of facilities and manpower to follow through the production programme in the private sector. Therefore, to adjust the existing institution to the proposed programme, a list of equipment was prepared in consultation with the national authorities concerned in order to strengthen the Directorate of Fisheries, ICT. It was decided:
to develop a modest outdoor rearing facility to produce fingerlings, and
to provide the necessary equipment to enable the extension personnel to carry out a follow-up programme.
It was hoped to have the equipment available before the consultant's arrival so that installation could be carried out during his visit. However, the equipment could not be procured in time. During the second mission, the consultant and the national counterpart explored the markets of Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi to purchase locally. A number of quotations were collected and processed to facilitate the FAOR Office, Islamabad, in placing the order. Most equipment is being procured locally while the water analysis-hack kit (small) has been ordered direct from the manufacturer. By the end of the consultancy, various items of equipment were delivered and the rest due to be delivered. Fibreglass tanks were installed at the Directorate of Fisheries for use by projects and others sent to FAOR Office for disposal in accordance with standard procedure. Operation of the equipment was explained and demonstrated to the national counterpart and staff. In addition, a motorcycle (100 cc) has been imported to facilitate mobility in supervising the extension personnel under the project; and three bicycles will be provided to three extension personnel assigned to the production ponds of three Marakizes under the project.
In order to fulfil project objectives, it is planned to establish a small nucleus of fisheries extension workers under the Directorate of Fisheries to support the production programme in the private sectors in the ICT. For the successful implementation of present project activities, the Directorate of Fisheries has assigned three medium-level staff to the selected pond sites of each Marakiz to supervise the construction work and carry out the follow-up programme. The assigned personnel will supervise the farmer in the daily operations of a fish pond, monitor technical work (e.g., quality of water, availability of natural food, fish growth and health, etc.) and liaise with the head office. The growth of fish will be observed on a fortnightly basis using a cast net and the data will be recorded on the growth check card (Appendix 2) to analyse the requirements in fingerlings of the production programme. An outdoor rearing facility has been developed in head office to rear the advance fingerlings of cultivable fish. Medium-level staff has also been assigned under the National Project Director to attend to this outdoor rearing facility as well as to coordinate the production ponds of three Marakizes.
The Directorate of Fisheries organized a three-day orientation programme on low-cost fish farming techniques for medium-level staff and fish watchmen. The programme covered the following aspects of fish-farming.
