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XIX. Aquaculture planning

1. Major aspects of aquaculture planning

(a) Form and level of industry;

(b) Infrastructure;

(c) Investments.

2. Basic data required for planning

(a) Total requirements for domestic consumption and export;

(b) Sources of production;

(c) Extent of suitable cultivable area;

(d) Availability of water, fertilizers, feed and labour;

(e) Estimated possible production through capture and culture fisheries;

(f) Likely socio-economic benefits to rural sector (employment opportunities, nutritional improvement, land settlement, etc.);

(g) National priorities with regard to type of produce;

(h) Consumer preferences;

(i) Marketing channels;

(j) Storage, processing and transport facilities.

3. Production objectives

Decision on type and level of culture (pond culture, cage culture, raft culture, etc.; extensive or intensive culture; small-scale rural aquaculture or large-scale industrial aqua-culture) and nature of end products (table fish, seed fish, bait fish, sport fish, pearls, etc.) in relation to national objectives and economic realities; year-round supply to markets.

4. Planning of small-scale rural aquaculture

Provision of technical assistance and extension service for site survey, design and construction of installations; provision of support services for production, distribution and marketing - production and/or supply of seed, feed, fertilizers, chemicals and drugs; disease control; assessment of marketing requirements and demand potentials; special facilities for marketing of live fish and shellfish; preservation and storage facilities.

5. Planning of large-scale industrial aquaculture

Technological and ecological considerations in site selection; large capital outlay, centralized management and vertical integration; provision of adequate management and business skill; provision of adequate support services; development of auxiliary industries for specialized equipment and supplies.

6. Assessment of manpower requirements

(a) Managerial;

(b) Technical - technicians (field operators), aquaculturists, specialists, farm engineers, extension workers and processing personnel;

(c) Marketing personnel.

7. Training of personnel

8. Research support and extension service

9. Economic appraisal and planning

Project analysis - quantum of investment required for establishment of infrastructure and support services; economic viability in terms of returns on investment; pilot-scale units to study commercial feasibility.

Financing and credit - financing agencies and channels of credit supply; their integration with support services; role of cooperatives and cooperative banks in financing; joint ventures; subsidies; insurance cover.

10. Legal provisions for aquaculture promotion

Practicals

Preparation of an aquaculture plan for a selected area or the whole of the trainee's country, based on available information.


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