Training of Trainers - Library - Network of Aquaculture Centres in ...

• An increase in reliable productivity from traditional ponds.• Facilitation, acceptance of awareness of concepts and modes of practices such as “Better ManagementPractices (BMPs)’ and adoption thereof to improve yields and product quality, food safety, and reducedisease risks.• Awareness of the increasingly stringent consumer demands of international markets in relation to foodquality, traceability and sustainability• Ability to produce the quantities and qualities demanded by buyers thereby gaining valuable incomepotential.• Wider access to, and capacity of, technical, market and financial services.In this paper the form and function of Aquaculture Livelihood Service Center (ALSC) and Aceh AquacultureCommunication Center (AACC) are presented, as it is thought that this is a novel concept that has beenintroduced and or experimented to ensure sustainable growth of small scale aquaculture, and would haveapplicability for comparable situations elsewhere.Aquaculture Livelihood Service Centres (ALSCs)ALSC based farmer group at sub district and district level implement and manage the aquaculture activitiesthrough participatory approach in order to accomplish their common goal of reducing risk and the maximizingprofit while meeting the expected market demand through sustainable aquaculture operations. The ALSC areexpected to become fully self sustaining business and technical centres for the fish/shrimp farmer throughpayment of services fees by the members. The member are free to obtain services from the private sector e.g.feed and fertilizer suppliers, hatcheries, shrimp exporters, private laboratories and banking services. Themembers of the associations would achieve benefits in purchasing inputs and marketing produce and therebymaximizing their profits and minimizing cost of production.The activities of ALSCs are also technically supported and advised by various government agencies’ staff such asthe DKP- Dinas Perikanan dan Kelautan (=Marine and Fisheries Affairs Agency). The activities are coordinated byETESP Fisheries, FAO and OISCA field facilitators and lead farmers. The engagement of the different agenciesthrough the ALSC is mediated to collate the perceptible differences in approach. Most aqua-farmers in therespective sub-districts are active members of ALSCs. The registered members abide by the rules and regulationsof ALSCs decided by the community (e.g. prohibition of the use of pesticides and antibiotics, crop planning, and agroup approach to finding solutions for the various aquaculture related issues). The committee members/leadfarmers and children of the farmer communities are well trained in the basics of computer operations and who inturn continue to train the farmer community/ groups at the village level. Leaders of villages in the sub-districts arealso executive members of ALSC committee and it enables the ALSC to operate within the established socialstructure of the villages and contributes to the effective decision making. The matter of “elite capture” is everpresent but countered through frequent meetings at which the farmers of all levels have democratic voice.Group approach and linkage to stakeholders:ALSC operations bring together aquaculture farmers and organizations from different backgrounds to work inpartnership, a process that requires partners to pool their commitment of human, financial and natural resourcesto achieve sustainable growth of the aquaculture sector and also thereby increase aquaculture farmer wealth inAceh Province, Indonesia.Promoting sustainable aquaculture:ALSC based farmer groups at the sub district and districts levels implement and manage the aquaculture activitiesthrough a participatory approach in order to accomplish their common goal of reducing risks and maximizingprofits while meeting the expected market demands through sustainable aquaculture operations.33