Implementing Agency:
Department For International Development (NRRD)

Managing Institute:
Institute of Aquaculture (University of Stirling)

Contractor:
Institute of Aquaculture

Project Code: R6380cb 686-656-001	Start Date: 01/10/1995	End Date: 30/09/1998
Commitment: £103,400	Status: Current	Type of Funding: Bilateral - TDR

Project Background:
With a percapita annual income of $230 Lao PDR ranks amongst the poorest countries in the world, the economy remains undiversified and heavily dependant on the natural resource base accounting for 60 per cent of GDP and occupying 85 per cent of the workforce (World Bank, 1993). Fish has tradibtionally contributed the major portion of animal protein intake of the rural population in the Lao PDR (85 percent of the total) but due to increasing population pressure and declining natural fish stocks consumption levels are currently low (7kg/person/year) (Phonivaay, 1994). The Laotian riverine fisheries have declined by 20 percent over recent years (Csavas, 1994) and production in lakes and reservoirs has declined by 60 percent in the past 15 years (Phonivaay, 1994).

Project Objectives:
To increase understanding of the technical, social and economic constraints to rice-fish culture in Lao PDR, emphasising a solid understanding of gender as it relates to rice - fish cultivation in Laos through investigation of the resource management and communications system and participatory research to maximise profit from rice fish systems.

Intended Outputs:
Identification of technical, social and economic constraints to the rearing of fish in rice fields in Lao PDR achieved via understanding and description of existing of existing resource management systems and communication systems in upland and lowland Laos. Individual and institutional capacity to undertake research on rice fish culture strengthened. Decelopment of sustainable local resource use strategies for rice fish systems of small-scale, poverty focused aquaculture, empasising the role of women achieved via on-farm research and through participatory technology development.