Fisheries

Aquafarming in a reservoir

JICA implemented a five-year plan starting in 2005 to support improvements in aquaculture techniques in rice paddies and reservoirs, and their proliferation among rice farmers. The project created 9,000 new farmers in four targeted provinces of southern Cambodia.

Support of Small-Scale Fish Farming

Freshwater fishing (in rivers and lakes) is extremely popular in Cambodia, propelling it to fourth in global production volume terms. The industry provides a key source of animal protein intake for the local people. In inland villages far from the country's principal water system of Lake Tonle Sap and the Mekong River Basin, however, excessive pressure was being put on fishing. The resulting decline in fish catches threatens the food security of the local people. In these regions, it is difficult to secure water resources, while people also face the problems of poor aquaculture technology and a weak proliferation system for the technologies. Small-scale fish farming in rice paddies and reservoirs was still uncommon.

A farmer checks the growth of fish being cultured in a rice paddy.

In response to a request from the Fisheries Administration, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Cambodia, JICA implemented a Technical Cooperation project aimed at improving and extending technology for small-scale fish farming. The project covers a five-year period from 2005 to 2010 and the four rural provinces of Prey Veng, Takeo, Kampong Spue and Kampot in south Cambodia where natural water resources are scarce.

Fostering Young Fish Farms

Young fry being cultured by seed-producing farmers

With this project, JICA provided technical support to strengthen capabilities for teaching aquaculture technologies to fish farmers. Personnel from the Fisheries Administration worked in partnership with JICA. In addition, JICA worked t o improve aquaculture technology, foster seed-producing farmers, provide training on farming techniques, transfer technology from core seed-producing fish farmers to small-scale fish farmers, and create a network of core fish farmers in order to establish a stable supply system for young fry. The Bati Fish Seed Production and Research Center was used to implement these steps.

JICA also supported the development of 48 core fish farmers, providing them with the ability to train other fish farmers. This resulted in an increase in the number of fish farmers from the four provinces from 2,000 in 2004 to 11,000.

Although the project was completed in February 2010, the vision of the Fisheries Administration is to promote these technologies on a nationwide scale by leveraging the current achievements. As part of these efforts, the Fisheries Administration has asked JICA for a new project in northwest Cambodia, where it is thought to be difficult to popularize fish farming. Preparations are underway for the project.

Providing guidance to seed-producing farmers

A reservoir used for aquafarming