Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development

Collaboration for Agriculture & Rural Development

PROJECT COMPLETION REPORT

002/004VIE
Better Breeds of Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)
for Small-scale Fish Farmers

Hanoi, June 2007


Organisation
Charles Darwin
University
Email: In Australia: Administrative contact
Name:
Dr Jenny Carter
Telephone:
08 8946 6708
Position:
Manager Research
Fax:
08 8946 7199
Organisation
Charles Darwin University
Email:


In Vietnam
Name:
Dr Tuan Anh Pham
Telephone:
84 4 8781084
Position:
Deputy Director
Fax:
84 4 8273070
Organisation

particularly in the context of rural development in relation to food security, poverty
alleviation and income generation. Genetic improvement of fish species has been
identified as a priority area for research and development. The general aim of this two
year-project is to assist the continued development of genetically improved Common
Carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) breeds, the effective dissemination of these breeds from central
research institutes to provincial hatcheries for distributions to small scale farmers and
further development of research capacity in genetics in relation to selective breeding and
brood-stock management.

Almost all inputs of project have been achieved and all milestones have been met
or exceeded. Samples of common carp have been collected from a large number of
locations and genetically analysed. Genetic differences between genetically improved
breeds, provincial hatchery broodstock and farmed stocks determined. Technical training
workshops for common carp hatchery managers and small scale farmers were conducted.
Technical training for young Vietnamese researchers in the use and application of
advanced genetic principles and techniques in fish breeding and genetic improvement
studies has been carried out in both Vietnam and Australia. On-farm grow-out trials to
compare genetically improved breeds and locally available strains of common carp were
conducted in various low-input–small scale aquaculture systems. The better breed of
common carp has been identified and disseminated to fish farmers.
3. Executive Summary
Excellent progress has been made with this two year project (March 2005 to
June 2007). Almost all outputs of the project have been achieved and all milestones
have been met or exceeded that were planned. Current common carp breeding
practices and broodstock management were surveyed and reviewed. Knowledge
levels of fish breeding and hatchery operation among fish farmers and hatchery
personnel have been assessed. Thirty populations of common carp have been
collected from research stations, provincial hatcheries, private hatcheries farmers and
wild populations. Genetic variation of the collected populations were analysed. These
results reveal important insights into the effects of inbreeding and dissemination of

breeds of this species, and there is significant local expertise in the area of genetics
and breeding (e.g. staff of the Research Institute for Aquaculture No. 1).
The specific objectives of this project are to: (1) document current fish
breeding and brood-stock management practices in relation to the selection and
maintenance of genetically improved common carp breeds at the institutional,
hatchery (provincial and private) and small-scale farm levels; to assess knowledge
levels relating to fish breeds and selection of seed stock by small scale farmers; (2)
determine genotypic and phenotypic diversity among common carp genetic resources
(breeds), both wild and domesticated, available for aquaculture within Vietnam and
examine the success of dissemination of genetically improved breeds to small scale
farmers; (3) increase success and efficiency of common carp breeding, broodstock
management and seed stock production by small scale farmers and hatchery
personnel; (4) increase capacity of young researchers and technicians to contribute to
research and development in the fields of genetics of broodstock management,
molecular genetics and fish genetic improvement; and (5) demonstrate to farmers, on
farm, the advantages of using genetically improved breeds of common carp.

The approach adopted for this project involves a novel combination of
traditional and modern methods. Thus the understanding of common carp genetic
resources in Vietnam and the success of the dissemination of genetically improved
breeds to small-scale farmers will be based on the use of modern (molecular genetic)
and traditional phenotypic (morphological, pond growth trials) approaches, and
through demonstration (by stocking improved fish breeds into farmers ponds) and by
interviewing stakeholders. Also a more ‘de-centralised’ approach to both
understanding carp genetic resources will be taken using comprehensive geographic
sampling of domesticated and wild populations and through capacity building for
provincial hatcheries (via training programs) to enable better brood-stock
management and improve fish breeding.

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(6) Genetic variation of the collected 30 common carp populations were analysed
and published in peer reviewed Journal.

(7) The on-farm trails of improved and locally available strains of common carp
have been carried at 40 farmers involved 10,000 of fish stocked in the farms,
34 of ponds, and 6 rice fields. 5.2 Smallholder Benefits
The most direct benefits to small-scale fish farmers to date have been through
the workshops run at the Thai Nguyen Fish Extension Centre and at National
Broodstock Center (NBC) of RIA-I in Hai Duong for fish farmers and hatchery
personnel. The knowledge of fish farmers about common carp breeding and culture
was significantly improved. Very successful was the demonstrated for modern
controlled breeding techniques at the NBC as many farmers had not been exposed to

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these methods before. The workshop was successful in communicating the
Government’s strategy for improving carp productivity and in encouraging farmers to
participate in the on-farm trials. The workshop was also successful in encouraging
farmers to compare farming strategies and to learn from each other.

The better breeds of common carp for aquaculture in fish farmer’s systems
was identified through the on farm trials. The on farm trials also effectively re-
inforced among farmers the importance of considering the performance of different
breeds of fish in their ponds. The results of the on-farm trials provided a basis for the
provision of advice to farmers on the better breeds for fish producers (both growth-out
and hatchery operators) in two target project provinces: Thai Nguyen and Yen Bai.



The project completion can not meet at the planned milestone due to two
major issues arisen. These are (i) Dr Chris M. Austin, Australian team leader, has
been appointed to the position of Professor and Head of School of the School of
Science and Primary Industries at Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Australia. He
was transferred to Darwin from Deakin University in November 2005.
And (ii) the final on-farm trail to compare growth performance of the
improved common carp and locally available strains conduced in two highland
provinces (Thai Nguyen & Yen Bai) could not complete as planned. The harvesting of
pond trials from some farmers’ ponds had to be left for significantly longer period of
time than anticipated as fish were displaying very slow growth rates due to low inputs
and higher stocking rates. Further, the draining of ponds for harvesting could only be
done when convenient for some farmers due to the lack of availability of water. Some
fish was delayed to harvest until late March 2007.

7.2 Options
7.3 Sustainability
No major issues other than those indicated above.
8. Next Critical Steps
The next steps are:
(1) To ensure the dissemination of the results and findings to the full range of
stakeholders and partners, especially small scale fish farmers in north Vietnam
(2) Extend the model of on farm trials, which involved the effective engagements
of farmers in the trials to identify better fish breeds, to other provinces and fish
species.
(3) Publish the results of the on farm trials in aquaculture magazines and journals
as a case study of evidence-based and participatory research in aquaculture. 9. Conclusion