Major constraints restricting the expansion of scientific fish culture in Lao PDR are:
Shortage of fry and fingerlings
Limited extension capacity at district level
Tight employment and budgetary restrictions in the public sector
Availability of credit.
While provincial fish seed farms can contribute significantly to the supply of fry, their production is constrained by problems alluded to in 3.2.1.1. Ultimately, adequate supplies of fry and fingerlings will depend on the private sector. LAO/89/003 has made a significant contribution to the transfer of hatchery technology to the private sector, mainly target farmers. On the positive side, the dispersion of fry suppliers through the countryside greatly improves the availability of fry to other farmers. On the downside, most target farmers have difficulty producing fry of the Chinese and Indian carps and frequently do not have sufficient nursery pond capacity.
Hatchery and fingerling production offer an excellent opportunity to develop profit centers for the private sector. The development of mini-hatcheries can be promoted through demonstration and training based at the provincial fish farms or even at district level. Mini-hatcheries could be suitable micro-enterprises for women.
Rice-cum-fish culture suffers from a scarcity of fingerlings of 5 to 10 cms. Fingerling production could be encouraged through farmers' groups and as a small business. Land requirements for individual operations are not great and operating costs are low.
Budgetary constraints will continue to limit extension capacity for the foreseeable future. External assistance will be required to maintain an appropriate level of training and monitoring. Any future project should direct more attention to developing the capacity of interested NGO's and other donor-funded projects to extend fish culture.
In view of the shortage of provincial and district level extensionists, the role of model farmers and farmers' groups as extension agents will be significant in the expansion of fish culture in the country. Adequate monitoring will be essential to insure that proper culture protocols are disseminated.
It is clear that externally funded projects will be required to continue the momentum established by LAO/89/003. Support should be in the form of direct financial support for extension activities by provincial and district staff and the provision of experts. Consideration may be given by UNDP regarding the inclusion of fish culture into its rural development framework for 1997–2000. Opportunities for funding can be explored with other projects involved in poverty alleviation and food security issues.
Provincial fish farms have the potential to be at least partially self supporting. Under present regulations, they are required to return any revenues generated by the sale of fry to the Ministry of Finance. If policy could be changed to allow these farms to retain their revenues to cover operating costs, costs of improvements and extension activities, sustainability would be less of an issue.
