The limited knowledge on aquaculture is one of the major issues concerning the aquaculture management in the Tam Giang-Cau Hai Lagoon. The poor understanding on culture methodologies not only leads to low and/or unstable profit, but also to unproper use of feeds, fertilizers, and chemicals, which results in the deterioration of the lagoon water environment. The mismanagement of aquaculture facilities also contributes to the outbreak of fish diseases, which adversely impacts the livelihoods of local fish farmers.

With this context, the IMOLA Project conducted training on different aquaculture techniques in the seventeen target communes depending upon the existing types of aquaculturein the locale. The purpose of this training was to improve the performance and environmental sustainability of the aquaculture activities in the lagoon area.

The aquaculture training was divided into six modules depending on the culture models: 1) Freshwater fish cage, 2) Freshwater fish pond, 3) Brackish water fish cage, 4) High-tide shrimp culture, 5) Low-tide shrimp culture, and 6) Mollusk culture. Each module had three training components, namely, a) theoretical training, b) practical training, and c) extension support (except the mollusk culture module which did not have extension sessions).

The aim of having these three distinctive components was to provide the fish farmers with proper background knowledge on aquaculture activities, based on the science (theoretical training), practical knowledge and skills for better and sustainable production (practical training), and hands-on experience and on-site trouble shooting related to their aquaculture activities (extension support). The primary targets of the training were a group of selected Result Demonstration Farmers (RDFs) who would be trainers for other Fellow Farmers (FFs) for more effective results.

By the end of October 2007, all of the theoretical and practical trainings as well as extension supports were provided to RDFs with the assistance mainly from the Hue University of Agriculture and Forestry (HUAF) and Provincial Fisheries Extension Center (FEC). By the end of December 2007, all of the training of FFs was conducted by RDFs (8 half-day sessions).

In terms of number of beneficiaries, the project provided training in aquaculture to 564 RDFs in seventeen communes in five districts, who in turn trained 5640 FFs, i.e., 6204 estimated beneficiaries in total, under this Trickle Down System (TDS) approach.

Note: The seventeen target communes for aquaculture training were Dien Hoa, Dien Hai, Quang Ngan, Quang Cong, Hai Duong, Quang Thai, Quang Loi, Quang Phuoc, Huong Phong, Thuan An, Phu Xuan, Phu My, Phu An, Vinh Hung, Vinh Giang, Vinh Hien, and Loc Binh.