Aquaculture Unit

Aquaculture Unit

Official Lao PDR aquaculture production statistics estimate the annual production at about 72.000 t (DLF 2000) out of which 60% comes from aquaculture, including rainfed rice and irrigated rice field.  There is a distinct difference between fish culture practices in peri-urban and rural areas. Peri-urban areas have access to feedstuff, irrigation and other agricultural inputs and more intensive livestock production provides wastes that can be utilized. Access to fish seed and technical information is fairly easy in peri-urban areas due to the proximity of Provincial fish seed stations and extension services. In rural areas fish culture is constrained by lack of seed, supplemental feed and manures. Extension services are still weak in rural areas due to poor communication between villages, low population densities and very large districts to service.

The majority of the Lao fish ponds are shallow and hand constructed.  Typical pond is rainfed. Most ponds would be stocked in June as the ponds fill with water and harvested between November and February. Fertilization of fish ponds is relatively common practice, although quantities are often inadequate. In Lao PDR animals are not penned and therefore single point sources of manure are rare. Livestock integration with aquaculture is increasingly becoming established in peri-urban areas where rearing methods are more intensive.

The Aquaculture Unit is dedicated towards research that will advance the aquaculture practices in Lao PDR. Current research is aimed at improving brood stock quality, breeding and grow-out systems of both indigenous and exotic species. Collaborating with national and international partners the aquaculture unit seeks to enhance the local knowledge regarding fish production, nutrition and disease. Aquaculture research at LARReC looks closely at the socio-economic feasibility of each project as it pertains to the Lao PDR.

The mandate of the Aquaculture Unit is to research on:

1. Aquaculture practices involving species and production systems,  annual production and socio-economic characteristics.
2. Brood stock quality and seed supply systems
3. Breeding and grow-out systems
4. Fish nutrition and disease
   

Current research projects for the LARReC Aquaculture Unit

Aquaculture of Indigenous Mekong Species - AIMS
Upland aquaculture
Frog culture
Freshwater prawns study
Fish diseases survey

For more information, please contact: 
Mr. Somphanh Phanousith, Chief of  Aquaculture Unit  
Email: larrec@gmail.com
  
 

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