Map of target districts included in LAO/89/003.
Fish, meat and poultry prices at selected markets.
Market channels for cultured fish.
Problems of freshwater prawn farming in Lao PDR.
Partial budget for pond fish culture.
Partial budget for rice-cum-fish culture.
Partial budget for integrated aquaculture with poultry.
Earnings of representative target farmers.
Itinerary
List of persons interviewed
Numbers of govt personnel trained at national, provincial and district levels.
ANNEX 4. THE PROBLEMS OF FRESHWATER PRAWN FARMING IN LAO PDR.
Some interest has been expressed in freshwater prawn farming in the country. Consequently this consultant together with national and UNV counterparts travelled to one of the main prawn fishing centers on the Nam Ou, about 150 km from Luang Phabang. My assessment of the potential for freshwater prawn farming in the country is based in part on observations made during this visit and on direct experience with, and observation of, freshwater prawn farming in other Asian countries (Thailand, Malaysia, India, Bangladesh).
There are about 52 recognized species of Macrobrachium, only one of which has been successfully cultured (M. rosenbergii). There are also many species of caridean freshwater shrimps which complete their life cycle in freshwater, but are small. These species are often exploited by artesenal fishers.
The species inhabiting the Nam Ou is definitely not M. rosenbergii. Little is known of growth rates or life cycles of species other than M. rosenbergii. However, one characteristic of the genus is migration to brackishwater where spawning takes place. The larvae of all Macrobrachium species require brackishwater. Fishermen in the area noted that they had never seen any gravid females.
We visited fish markets in Vientiane, Tak Haek, Savannakhet, Pakse, Luang Phabang, Xaibuly and Xiangkhuang. Both morning and evening markets were observed. In all of these visits only 2 M. rosenbergii were seen, in Pakse. Pakse was the market best supplied with Mekong River fish. The reasons for the scarcity of M. rosenbergii are unknown. It is possible the species does not reach most of the Lao Portion of the Mekong River. It could be grossly overfished or most of the population may have migrated down river to the delta.
As mentioned previously, the giant freshwater prawn, M. rosenbergii, is the only freshwater prawn species successfully cultured. Neighboring Thailand is one of the major producers of cultured prawns along with Bangladesh and Brazil.
It is technically possible to culture the giant freshwater prawn in the southern plains areas along the Mekong River. Hatchery production would be very difficult and costly because brine would have to be imported from the Changchengsao province of Thailand. Brine is essential because a saline solution made with salt does not work for larval rearing. The hatchery would have to be operated as a closed recirculating system, which is not easy to manage. Hatchery production of freshwater prawn fry is widespread in Thailand, particularly in Sonbhuri District about 150 km north of Bangkok. It would be possible to import these fry by air via Bangkok. In no event should the capture of juveniles for aquaculture be permitted, as this would severely damage the fishery.
Prawns can be a component of a polyculture system, but tilapia and common carp must be removed from the ponds. Yields are low, but if a luxury market exists, their value exceeds that of the tilapia and common carp production. This method is widely practiced in Bangladesh due to the great number of fish ponds in the country and the traditional export of frozen freshwater prawns.
The prevalent method of freshwater prawn culture in monoculture. Hatchery produced fry are reared in ponds and fed compounded diets. Prawn feeds require a protein level of 22 to 25%. At least half of this must be of animal origin, preferably quality fish meal. The main constraints facing freshwater prawn farming in Lao PDR are the high cost of importing fry from Thailand and the cost of formulating a feed. The extent of the market is also unknown, although with increasing tourism and rising disposable income of urban residents, there is probably a small market. The 2 large prawns we saw in Pakse were selling for Kip 10,000/kg! One would not anticipate a very large market at this price.
The development of prawn farming should be left to the private sector. It is an aquaculture technology best suited to risk taking entrepreneurs and is not appropriate for large scale development in an inland country like Lao PDR, especially when the government's emphasis is on poverty alleviation and income generation for rural poor folks.
ANNEX 9. ITINERARY
| 13/6 – 17/6. | Bangkok. Discussions with FAO and MRC officials, document and literature review. Briefing by POO and RAPA senior aquaculturist. |
| 18/6 – 22/6 | Vientiane. Discussions with national counterparts, UNV, and FAOR, Review relevant documents, make travel arrangements. |
| 23/6 – 24/6 | Vientiane Province. Visit Nam Ngum reservoir, fish market, private hatcheries, target farmers and other fish farmers, discussions with concerned provincial officers. |
| 25/6 – 27/6 | Vientiane. Attend MRC meeting as observer. |
| 28/6 – 01/7 | Khammoune Province. Fish market surveys, visit private hatcheries, provincial fish farm, fish farmers, and discussions with concerned provincial officers. |
| 02/7 – 08/7 | Savannakhet Province. Visits to government provincial fish farm, fish market survey, visit target and model farmers and other farmers, met with village chiefs, observation of communal fish pond, discussions with bank officers and concerned livestock and fisheries officers. |
| 09/7 – 13/7 | Champassak and Sekong Provinces. Market surveys, observations of target and other fish farmers, discussions with livestock and fisheries officers, and bank officer in Pakse. |
| 14/7 – 15/7 | Vientiane. Worked on documentation. |
| 16/7 – 22/7 | Luang Phabang and Sayaboury Provinces. Visits to government provincial fish farms, fish market surveys, observations of target and model farmers and other farmers, discussions with farmers group, observation of prawn fishing areas, discussions with bank officers and concerned livestock and fisheries officers. |
| 23/7 – 25/7 | Vientiane. Report drafting |
| 26/7 – 31/7 | Xiengkhuang Province. Visits to government provincial fish farm, fish market survey, visit target and model farmers and other farmers, met with village chiefs, discussions with bank officers and concerned livestock and fisheries officers. |
| 01/8 – 25/8 | Vientiane. Preparation and presentation of reports. Interviews with national level officials. Discussions with UNDP mission as per TOR. |
| 26/8 | Bangkok. Debriefing by POO and RAPA senior aquaculturist. |
| 27/8 | Return to Seattle. |
ANNEX 10. LIST OF PERSONS INTERVIEWED.
Mike Doeff, Project Operations Officer, FAO, Bangkok
P.C. Choudhury, Sr. Aquaculturist, RAPA, Bangkok
Jorgen Jensen, Chief, Agriculture, Irrigation, Forestry and Fisheries Unit, Mekong River Commission, Bangkok
Mr. Peer Hijmans, FAOR, Vientiane, Laos
Mr. Bounthong Saphakdy. National Project Director, LAO/89/003
Mr. Bhuiya Kasem, UNV, LAO/89/003
Mr. Somboon, Chief of Station, Nong Teng Fish Seed Farm, Vientiane
Dr. Boonkhuang, Deputy Director General, Livestock and Fisheries Department, Vientiane
Mr. Chanthaboon, Chief, Fisheries Division, Dept. of Livestock and Fisheries, Vientiane
Mrs. Mikiko Sasaki, Assistant Resident Representative, UNDP, Vientiane
Mr. Bouaphan, Chief of Livestock and Fisheries, Vientiane Province
Mr. Boonthai, Chief, Fisheries Section, Dept. of Livestock and Fisheries, Vientiane Province.
Mr. Vandi, Manager, 62 KM Fish Farm, Vientiane Province
Ms. Tanglo, Fingerling Production Manager, Vientiane-Haihung Cooperation Factory, Phonhong, Vientiane Province
Mr. Tam, Director, Vientiane-Haihung Cooperation Factory, Phonhong, Vientiane Province
Mr. Keukeo, District Livestock Fisheries Officer, Vientiane Province.
Mrs. Sangthong, target farmer, Thingkeo village, Keo Udom District, Vientiane Province.
Mr. Nuat, Fish farmer, Phon Yeng Village, Keo Udom District, Vientiane Province.
Mr. Khamdi At Sayavong, Deputy Director, Agriculture and Forestry, Vientiane Province.
Dirk van Gansberghe, Team Leader, UNDP Rural Development Programme Mission
Barry Ison, marketing consultant, UNDP Rural Development Programme Mission
Mr. Sivixay Soukharath, Director, Division of Agriculture and Forestry, Khammuone Province.
Mrs. Kaikom, Fish farmer, Petchun Village, Tak Hek District, Khammuone Province.
Mr. and Mrs. Tiam, fish farmers, Nalao Village, Tak Hek District, Khammuone Province
Mr. Thamalangshi, fish farmer, Nyang Ngam Village, Tak Hek District, Khammuone Province
Mr. Gnoi Phathammady, Manager, Agriculture Promotion Bank, Tak Hek, Khammuone Province.
Mr. Wa Lee, loan officer, Agriculture Promotion Bank, Tak Hek, Khammuone Province.
Mr. Tongsay, Chief, Livestock and Fisheries Section, Khammuone Province.
Mr. Douangchith Litdamlong, Chief of Livestock and Fishery Section, Savannakhet Province.
Mr. Chanthalai, Chief, Agriculture and Forestry, Kanthabhuly District, Savannakhet Province.
Mr. Komi, Deputy Chief, Agriculture and Forestry, Kanthabhuly District, Savannakhet Province.
Mr. Nouanta Keomany, Director, Agriculture Promotion Bank, Savannakhet Pri\ovincial branch.
Mr. Thongdy, Chief, Agriculture and Forestry Department, Xaibuly District, Savannakhet Province.
Mr. Sikham, Chief, Livestock and Fisheries subsection, Xaibuly District, Savannakhet Province.
Mr. Boonma Viengmanee, Chief of Xaibuly district administration.
Mr. Boonthan, target farmer, Keng Kabaw Village, Xaibuly District, Savannakhet Province.
Mr. Kau, target farmer, Nong Sa Faw Village, Xaibuly District, Savannakhet province.
Mr. Lungpraseud, Fish farmer and breeder, Keng Phousi village, Udomphon District, Savannakhet Province.
Mr. Phoumet, target farmer, Nalau Village, Kanthabuly District, Savannakhet Province.
Mr. Souk, target farmer, Sebounheung Village, Kanthabouly District, Savannakhet Province.
Mr. Khamma, target farmer, Naseng Village, Khanthabuly District, Savannakhet Province.
Mr. Yam, target farmer, Nounsavath Village, Kanthabuly District, Savannakhet Province.
Ms. Somchai, target farmer, Sonsai village, Khanthabuly District, Savannakhet Province.
Mr. Phosye, target farmer, Phonsai village, Khanthabuly District, Savannakhet Province.
Mrs. Ma, target farmer, Donseng village, Khanthabuly District, Savannakhet Province.
Mr. Bouathong, extension agent, Chumphone District, Savannakhet Province.
Mr. Khai, deputy chief of district administration, Chumphone District, Savannakhet Province.
Mr. Sirimon, Chief of Administration, Chumphone District, Savannakhet Province.
Mr. San, target farmer, Kengkok Village, Chumphone District, Savannakhet Province.
Mr. Walakhon, target farmer, Kengkok Village, Chumphone District, Savannakhet Province.
Mr. Pheuk, target farmer, Phousi village, Chumphone District, Savannakhet Province.
Mr. Lium, target farmer, Kadan village, Chumphone District, Savannakhet Province.
Mr. Sunton, Deputy Chief of Agriculture and Forestry and Chief of Livestock and Fisheries Section, Xonbhuly District.
Mr. Kuap, village elder, Xienghong Village, Xonbuly District, Savannakhet Province.
Mr. Sumphon, target farmer, ???? Village, Xonbhuly District, Savannakhet Province.
Mr. Boontak, Manager, Pakbo Provincial Fish Farm, Savannakhet Province.
Mr. Longam, technical staff, Pakbo Provincial Fish Farm, Savannakhet Province.
Mr. Thong Rasaphon, Vice Chief of Agriculture and Forestry, Savannakhet Province.
Mr. Soukaseum Bodhisane, Vice Governor, Savannakhet Province.
Mr. Sonsai, AIT counterpart, Savannakhet Province.
Mr. Prachit Noraseng, Head of Livestock and Fisheries Section, Champassak Province.
Dr. Hasadong, Chief of Agriculture and Forestry, Champassak Province.
Mr. Khamdee, fish farmer, Xiengkhamnua village, Pakse District, Champassak Province.
Mr. Boonluang target farmer, Lak Chet village, Pakse District, Champassak Province.
Mr. Punsai, Manager, Lak Pet Provincial Fish Farm, Pakse District, Champassak Province.
Mr. Boonleum target farmer, Paksong, Paksong District, Champassak Province.
Mr. Boontiane, target farmer, Nongbeungkeo Village, Paksong District, Champassak Province.
Mr. Boonlian, target farmer, Nongkingkhom Village, Paksong District, Champassak Province.
Mrs. Phonsai, target farmer, Wat Luang village, Paksong District, Champassak Province.
Mr. Amphone, administrator, Houai Ho Hydroelectric Project, Paksong District, Champassak province.
Mr. Sunton, Deputy Chief of Agriculture and Forestry, Sekong Province.
Mr. Sunton, Chief of Livestock and Fishery Section, Sekong Province.
Mr. Suraphon, Planning and Finance Section, Sekong Province.
Mr. Sayaseng, fish farmer, Mol village, Lamam District, Sekong Province.
Mr. Boonma, fish farmer, Hua Meung Village, Lamam District, Sekong Province.
Mr. Kongphan Phanthanga, Manager, Agriculture Promotion Bank, Champasak Province.
Mr. Chanphone Kedboualapheth, Chief, Provincial Livestock and Fisheries Section, Luang Phabang Province
Mr. Thongfanh Phongsavath, Director, Provincial Agriculture and Forestery Division, Luang Phabang Province
Mrs. Pati, fish retailer, Luang Phabang town market.
Mr. Onideh, Manager, Luang Phaban provincial fish farm.
Mr. Keuchan, Deputy Manager, Luang Phaban provincial fish farm and project counter part
Mr. Bounpanh, Chief Technician, Luang Phaban District Fish Farm
Mr. Xengla, fish farmer, Hoikhang village, Luang Phabang District
Mr. Tanh, model farmer and fish farmer group member, Sibunkuang village, Nan District, Luang Phabang province
Mr. Khompanh, fish farmer group member, Sibunkuang village, Nan District, Luang Phabang province
Mr. Khan, fish farmer group member, Sibunkuang village, Nan District, Luang Phabang province
Mr. Onchan, model farmer and fish farmer group member, Sibunkuang village, Nan District, Luang Phabang province
Mr. Somnuk, Deputy Chief, Livetock and Fishery Section, Xaibuly Province
Mr. Kamphoot, Chief of Agriculture and Forestry, Xaibuly Province
Mr. Ongkeo, project counterpart and extension officer, Phiang District, Xaibuly Province.
Mr. Hieng, Manager, government fish seed farm, Phiang district
Mr. Heo, target farmer, Naseng village, Phiang District, Xiabuly Province
Mr. Sengphek, prawn middleman, Nam Ou River
Mr. Boonchang, prawn fisherman, Nam Ou River
Mr. Khamsian Mingbuppha, Deputy Director, Agriculture Promotion Bank, provincial branch, Luang Phabang Province
Mr. Mark Juville, socio-economist, EC Microprojects Project, Luang Phabang Province
Mr. Vandi, Extension officer, Livestock and Fisheries Section, Xiangkhuang Province
Mr. Sonsavat, Chief, Livestock and Fisheries Section, Xiangkhuang Province
Mr. Sompheng Syphongsay, Deputy Director, Dept. of Agriculture and Forestry, Xingkhuang Province.
Mr. Khamla Ladsasvong, Head of Service Unit, Agriculture Promotion Bank, Xiangkhuang provincial branch.
Mr. Kampao, Hok village, Khan District. Model farmer.
Mr. Khamoun, Hok village, Khan District. Target farmer.
Mr. Champeung, Hok village, Khan District. Target farmer.
Mrs. Phouma, Phounsavan, Xiangkhuang. Fish farmer.
Mr. Kamlai, Youne Kosi Village, Khoun District. Model farmer.
Mr. Thipone, Youne Kosi Village, Khoun District. Target farmer.
Mr. Situhu, Manager, Kham Pho Provincial Fish Seed Farm, Xiangkuang.
Mr. Yang, Technician, Kham Pho Provincial Fish Seed Farm, Xiangkuang.
Mr. Somsee, target farmer, Nounsavang village, Xonbuly district, Savannakhet province.
Dr. SingkhamPhonvisay, Director General, Dept. of Livestock and Fisheries
Mr. Khamtanh, Deputy Chief, Fisheries Division
ANNEX 11. NUMBERS OF GOVT PERSONNEL TRAINED AT NATIONAL, PROVINCIAL AND DISTRICT LEVELS.
| National | Provincial | District | Prefecture | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Group training in Thailand | ||||
| 1993 | 3 | 1 | 3 | |
| 1994 | 3 | 8 | 8 | 1 |
Study tours to Viet Nam and Thailand, 1993 | 3 | 4 | 1 | |
TCDC, Wuxi, China | ||||
| 1992 | 1 | 1 | ||
| 1993 | 1 | 1 | ||
TCDC, Vietnam 1993 | 4 | |||
TCDC Myanmar 1993 | 4 | |||
| Total | 19 | 14 | 11 | 3 |
