Building advanced Research, Education and Extension Capacity of the Research Institute for Aquaculture No.1

Based on an agreement between the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Government of the Kingdom of Norway the project “Building Advanced Research, Education and Extension Capacity for RIA-1” started with Phase I in 1999. Phase II started in 2003 and is expected to continue until 2007.

The longterm goal of this program is to contribute to poverty alleviation through increased use of sustainable aquaculture in Vietnam.

The objective of the project is to attain improved capacity in research, education and extension of RIA-1 based on demand and appropriate needs of small-scale aquaculturists in northern Vietnam. The main components of Phase II are:

• Breeding programme for tilapia expanded to include growth rate at low temperatures.
• Animal health management strategy for freshwater aquaculture disseminated and for marine aquaculture developed.
• Appropriate technologies (breeding, nursing and grow out) for marine species developed and tested at farm-level.
• Research skills of RIA-1 improved through postgraduate training and courses offered in collaboration with and at request of relevant universities.
• Effective extension, monitoring, training and participatory research in place.

Niels Svennevig, SINTEF Fisheries and Aquaculture, is the Chief Technical Adviser to the project. The institute also provides technical assistanse in specific parts of the project, and is also involved in technology transfer and implementation.