Project work began formally in February 2002. Inception meetings and discussions with counterparts from participating agencies, with farmer group representatives and with private sector service providers in Thailand and Indonesia were aimed at implementing the project's technical and extension components. As a result, important collaborative activities and linkages were formally defined, and field study sites confirmed. As part of formal reviews of extension systems for shrimp aquaculture in Thailand and Indonesia, the main participants in the public and private sector shrimp farming extension systems in each country, and their inter-relationships, were identified.

Two training workshops on disease diagnosis and laboratory methods for Indonesian project participants were held at Centre for Brackishwater Aquaculture Development, Jepara. These workshops were attended by central and provincial government laboratory diagnosticians and field health managers, including those who will service farms at Indonesian study sites. Follow-up training for four key Indonesian laboratory managers and technicians, hosted by Fisheries WA, has been completed in Perth.

Training workshops for project extensionists in Thailand and Indonesia on extension process development have also been successfully completed. Each was conducted over four days and was designed to develop extension methods and to plan for the next twelve months of the project. Built into each workshop were specific extension theory and skills training.

The first rounds of validation trials for the project's disease control programs took place in Chacheongsao (three farms, two ponds each) and Chantaburi (three farms, two ponds each) provinces in Thailand and at CBAD (two ponds) in central Java. In Thailand, participating farmers were selected following discussions with local farmer organisations and were informally instructed in specific pond management on-site before starting their crop. During this first crop, there was no subsequent intervention by project staff. Rather, staff observed how the farmers managed their ponds, using the recommended methods, so that these can be modified, as necessary, for the next crop. Of the twelve ponds monitored, eight produced acceptable crops, three were harvested early for reasons unrelated to disease in the pond, and one was lost due to white spot disease.

The two CBAD ponds were emergency harvested at 70 days following a white spot disease outbreak in each. These outbreaks were attributed to the effects of stress on covertly infected shrimp. In the days immediately prior to the outbreaks, salinity in the ponds exceeded 40 ppt (normal is 10-30 ppt), due to a combination of abnormal seasonal conditions and management constraints.

In Australia, an epidemiological study was begun in October 2002. Its purpose is to identify causal factors for peripheral neuropathy and retinopathy (PNR) outbreaks in ponds, with particular emphasis on gill-associated virus (GAV) load in shrimp and on pond environmental conditions. By early 2003, approximately 60 ponds on three farms (Farm 1, northern NSW; Farm 2, southeast Queensland; Farm 3, far north Queensland) will be included in the study.

GAV loads in shrimp sampled during growout are being measured at School of Biomedical Science, JCU using a standard PCR test. In addition, this project group is examining the usefulness of a haemagglutination technique as an alternative, less costly, on-farm method of semi-quantitatively determining GAV loads.

As in Thailand and Indonesia, key participants in public and private sector shrimp farming extension systems in Australia, and their inter-relationships, have been identified.

Within the current project, ACIAR has provided funding to enhance The Technical Assistance on Shrimp Disease and Coastal Management, a technical assistance project involving the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) of India and the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific (NACA). Activities funded in part by the ACIAR enhancement began in 2001. These involved a study of shrimp ponds in Andhra Pradesh to identify risk factors for shrimp disease outbreaks (emphasising white spot disease) and low pond production. Risk factors significantly associated with disease outbreaks were then used to identify locally relevant risk management practices. During 2002, demonstration sites were established in the two study districts to support and evaluate the practical implementation of these better management practices (BMPs) on private farms. Although farmers experienced disease outbreaks, demonstration ponds had better performance, in terms of days of culture, mean body weight and production compared to 2001 in the same ponds and with nearby non-demonstration ponds during 2002. The study found that constraints to implementation of BMPs at farm level need to be understood and addressed in research and extension if such findings are to contribute to adoption of better health management practices at farm level.

Year 2
NB - Due to an initial 6 month delayed start date, this report covers the period January 2003 to January 2004.
The project has two parts, the 'core project' covering activities in Indonesia, Thailand and Australia, and the 'NACA collaborative component' covering activities in India. The NACA linkage has proved very important to the success of the core project, in that important technical and extension-related information from the Indian work, which began in 2001 under a separate NACA/MPEDA project, has been available one year in advance of similar activities within the core project.
During 2002, project crop failures and equivocal outcomes in Indonesia and Thailand sounded a clear warning of the technical difficulties ahead. In response, at the annual project coordination meeting (Darwin, May 2003), we developed a list of mandatory, non-negotiable program components for implementation on project farms in both countries. To assist full implementation of this 'Darwin protocol', six Indonesian laboratory technicians participated in a PCR methods workshop, held at Mahidol University, Bangkok in September 2003. During the year we also modified some initial principles and assumptions underpinning the project in Asia. Specifically these related to farmer attitudes to maximizing profits; definitions of 'successful' crops; changes to species farmed; and the potential to amplify project impact through linkages with related government programs.
By January 2004, program validation trials in Indonesia and Thailand had been completed in a total of 27 (14 and 13, respectively) ponds. A number of factors, including the round 1 crop failure, limited pond stockings and a changed extension approach contributed to this total being lower than the originally predicted 45-50 ponds. Overall in Indonesia, ten ponds have produced successful crops (four of which were 'major' successes), and four have failed. This represents a success rate of 70%, which is close to the target 80% expected at the beginning of the project. In Thailand, full validation trials were conducted during 2003 only and results differed markedly between provinces.
Project extension activities began their scheduled expansion during 2003. In both Indonesia and Thailand, central and provincial extension teams, with strong links to public and private sector providers, were established. Activities focused on technology transfer to participating key farmers and on demonstrating results, positive and negative, to local farmer groups. Emerging market requirements associated with food safety, trace-ability and certification are placing additional constraints on the small-scale, commercial shrimp farming sector. In this environment, opportunities for important synergies between the project and related programs became apparent during 2003.
In Indonesia, Directorate General Aquaculture intends using the project as a model for wider implementation of shrimp farm biosecurity initiatives, including their 'good aquaculture practice' (GAP) program. In Thailand, the project will promote development of high quality shrimp production 'clusters', with links to relevant government programs. Specific extension plans for all participating countries in 2004-5 were developed at a joint extension workshop.

Against a background of rapidly changing shrimp farming practices in Asia, considerable progress has been made towards achieving project objectives. In general, project activities have established that health management programs are eagerly sought and can be successfully implemented, extended and disseminated amongst small-holder farmer groups. This success is now recognised at senior departmental levels in participating countries, where the project is seen as a model for embedding better health management practices at farm level, as part of wider 'good aquaculture practice' and 'code of conduct' programs.

In India, solid progress continues at the study site in West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh. Building on the success of earlier demonstration work, programs are currently being implemented on 917 ponds belonging to 547 farmers in 16 villages.

Solid progress also continues in Indonesia, despite an unexpected setback in South Sulawesi province. Programs in East Java have now been successfully implemented on clusters of semi-intensive as well as extensive farms in Sidoarjo and Gresik districts, with an overall success rate of 88%. By contrast, identical programs implemented in Pangkep and Maros districts in South Sulawesi produced a failure rate of 90%. The differences were attributed to an unexpected risk factor viz. the light, sandy soil at the Pangkep site which apparently facilitated disease transmission from infected, non-participating farms to adjacent project farms. Additional biosecurity measures involving clusters of farms are planned to address this problem. Importantly, the project is moving beyond its initial target areas in Indonesia, with programs now being implemented, after unsolicited requests from farmers, at new sites in West Java and Lombok. Project extension staff have produced a health management manual and CD (in Bahasa Indonesia) which is being widely disseminated amongst farmers and extension providers at both existing and new entrant project sites.

Changed circumstances in Thailand have markedly impeded program adoption at farm level, particularly at the more marginal Chacheongsao site. These include the almost complete shift in Thailand from the target P. monodon to P. vannamei, for which less health management information is available in the small-holder context. The recent emergence of 'monodon slow-growth syndrome', whose causes are still uncertain, has influenced many farmers not to grow this species. Drought and low shrimp prices are also factors. In addition, both the Project Leader (Thailand) and the Project Scientist-Extensionist have been redeployed, although both will remain active in the project until its conclusion. Despite these changes, there has been considerable progress in the extension area; project staff have produced a comprehensive health management manual, together with brochures and a poster (all in Thai), covering both P. monodon and P. vannamei. This information is now being widely disseminated through farmer groups and government extension centres in shrimp-farming provinces.

In Australia, work continues at James Cook University on identifying factors causing GAV-associated disease outbreaks and in developing cheap, accurate tests to assist farmers and diagnosticians in monitoring crop infection status; this component should be finished shortly after mid-year. In a major project initiative being led by QDPI, a comprehensive health management manual for Australian prawn farmers is being developed, with an initial draft expected later this year.

Overall, experience so far has shown that project success depends on factors operating at country, province, district and farm levels. We have identified the following determinants for successful program adoption and farmer-led dissemination.
1. Sufficient science-based information on control and prevention of important endemic diseases must be available for the species being farmed
2. Shrimp farming must be an important industry in the target province and district
3. Land use and environmental data must confirm that the location is suitable for some intensification of shrimp farming arising from program implementation.
4. Social and economic data should confirm that intensification of farming as above will not, in aggregate, negatively affect local communities
5. National-level fisheries agencies must support incorporation of program elements into existing best aquaculture practice and code of conduct programs
6. Provincial and district-level extension agencies must support program implementation and play a key role in dissemination to farmers; strong participation by private sector groups, eg feed companies, is also desirable.
7. Local farmers must be organized into groups and be enthusiastic about program implementation
8. Initial program demonstrations in any locality should, where possible, be run simultaneously in 'key farmer' ponds and in government-operated ponds, as a precaution against inappropriate program modifications by the key farmer.
Each of the following must be available within the target province: (a) a hatchery capable of supplying good quality seedstock to participating farmers; (b) a reliable, accurate PCR test provider; (c) a reliable, accurate disease diagnostic laboratory.

Against a background of rapidly changing shrimp farming practices in Asia, considerable progress has been made towards achieving project objectives. In general, project activities have established that health management programs are eagerly sought and can be successfully implemented, extended and disseminated amongst small-holder farmer groups. This success is now recognised at senior departmental levels in participating countries, where the project is seen as a model for embedding better health management practices at farm level, as part of wider 'good aquaculture practice' and 'code of conduct' programs.

In India, solid progress continues at the study site in West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh. Building on the success of earlier demonstration work, programs are currently being implemented on 917 ponds belonging to 547 farmers in 16 villages.

Solid progress also continues in Indonesia, despite an unexpected setback in South Sulawesi province. Programs in East Java have now been successfully implemented on clusters of semi-intensive as well as extensive farms in Sidoarjo and Gresik districts, with an overall success rate of 88%. By contrast, identical programs implemented in Pangkep and Maros districts in South Sulawesi produced a failure rate of 90%. The differences were attributed to an unexpected risk factor viz. the light, sandy soil at the Pangkep site which apparently facilitated disease transmission from infected, non-participating farms to adjacent project farms. Additional biosecurity measures involving clusters of farms are planned to address this problem. Importantly, the project is moving beyond its initial target areas in Indonesia, with programs now being implemented, after unsolicited requests from farmers, at new sites in West Java and Lombok. Project extension staff have produced a health management manual and CD (in Bahasa Indonesia) which is being widely disseminated amongst farmers and extension providers at both existing and new entrant project sites.

Changed circumstances in Thailand have markedly impeded program adoption at farm level, particularly at the more marginal Chacheongsao site. These include the almost complete shift in Thailand from the target P. monodon to P. vannamei, for which less health management information is available in the small-holder context. The recent emergence of 'monodon slow-growth syndrome', whose causes are still uncertain, has influenced many farmers not to grow this species. Drought and low shrimp prices are also factors. In addition, both the Project Leader (Thailand) and the Project Scientist-Extensionist have been redeployed, although both will remain active in the project until its conclusion. Despite these changes, there has been considerable progress in the extension area; project staff have produced a comprehensive health management manual, together with brochures and a poster (all in Thai), covering both P. monodon and P. vannamei. This information is now being widely disseminated through farmer groups and government extension centres in shrimp-farming provinces.

In Australia, work continues at James Cook University on identifying factors causing GAV-associated disease outbreaks and in developing cheap, accurate tests to assist farmers and diagnosticians in monitoring crop infection status; this component should be finished shortly after mid-year. In a major project initiative being led by QDPI, a comprehensive health management manual for Australian prawn farmers is being developed, with an initial draft expected later this year.

Overall, experience so far has shown that project success depends on factors operating at country, province, district and farm levels. We have identified the following determinants for successful program adoption and farmer-led dissemination.
1. Sufficient science-based information on control and prevention of important endemic diseases must be available for the species being farmed
2. Shrimp farming must be an important industry in the target province and district
3. Land use and environmental data must confirm that the location is suitable for some intensification of shrimp farming arising from program implementation.
4. Social and economic data should confirm that intensification of farming as above will not, in aggregate, negatively affect local communities
5. National-level fisheries agencies must support incorporation of program elements into existing best aquaculture practice and code of conduct programs
6. Provincial and district-level extension agencies must support program implementation and play a key role in dissemination to farmers; strong participation by private sector groups, eg feed companies, is also desirable.
7. Local farmers must be organized into groups and be enthusiastic about program implementation
8. Initial program demonstrations in any locality should, where possible, be run simultaneously in 'key farmer' ponds and in government-operated ponds, as a precaution against inappropriate program modifications by the key farmer.
Each of the following must be available within the target province: (a) a hatchery capable of supplying good quality seedstock to participating farmers; (b) a reliable, accurate PCR test provider; (c) a reliable, accurate disease diagnostic laboratory.

This project had two linked components, a 'core' project component in Indonesia, Thailand and Australia, for which ACIAR was the sole external funding provider and a 'collaborative' project component in India, with NACA and MPEDA, for which ACIAR provided supplementary funding.

The aim for both components was that farmers, working with scientists and extensionists in each country, would acquire the necessary knowledge, practical skills and willingness to significantly improve their shrimp production. This would be achieved through implementation, retention and further dissemination of effective farm-level shrimp disease control programs, delivered via farmer groups.

Core project
Outcomes for each objective are summarised below.

1. Completion of training, in practical disease control issues, for nucleus groups of progressive Indonesian farmers, health management technicians and disease diagnosticians

Project staff and those in related agencies undertook significant training in laboratory techniques and extension processes. This was supported by additional funding for workshops based on identified needs. Farmer training was delivered at selected sites in East Java and South Sulawesi via meetings based around farmer groups, focusing on demonstration ponds operated by key lead farmers.

2. Description of pathology and epidemiology of diseases causing significant production loss on Australian shrimp farms, with particular attention to diseases associated with GAV and SMV infections.

Project staff made important progress in understanding the epidemiology of GAV-associated disease outbreaks on Australian farms. On the three representative farms studied, infection prevalence and GAV load were associated with disease severity. A number of papers describing these findings are in preparation and results have been incorporated into the comprehensive best-practice manual for Australian farmers produced by project staff (see below). In addition, new low-cost technology, such as a pond side ELISA test, has also been developed, with potential to benefit Australian and Asian farmers. SMV infection was considered to be of relatively minor importance and was not further addressed during the project.

3. Development of appropriate, country-specific extension processes for smallholder shrimp farmers in Indonesia, Thailand and Australia

Detailed preparatory work was undertaken in mapping out information and knowledge systems, and planning the most effective extension processes for each social and cultural context. In working with key farmers and farmer groups, project staff then used carefully selected participative and learning approaches. Numerous targeted extension products were developed, consistent with reaching identified stakeholder groups. A comprehensive prawn farming manual, specifically for Australian farmers and incorporating best practice health management principles, was produced in collaboration with APFA and widely distributed.

4. Validation of farm-level disease control programs for smallholder shrimp farmers in Indonesia, Thailand and Australia

In Indonesia and Thailand, best management practices were validated for smallholder semi-intensive farmers (Indonesia) and intensive farmers (Thailand) in most target districts and significant gains made in crop 'success' by the measures used. Attempts at validation in South Sulawesi were unsuccessful; potential reasons included soils factors and close proximity of diseased, non-participant farms. Interventions to reduce GAV-related losses were presented in the project-produced manual provided to Australian farmers.

5. Demonstration of validated disease control programs on selected smallholder farms in Indonesia and Thailand.

Despite an initial disease-related setback at a demonstration site in Indonesia and a major shift in species farmed in Thailand, validated programs were used for demonstration and learning purposes amongst participating farmer groups, neighbouring and visiting farmers at various levels. There were varying levels of 'success' in bringing other farmers on board. Factors inhibiting some smallholder farmers from adopting best-practice approaches included: access to credit/resources (Indonesia); low prices and need for a premium price (Thailand). Interestingly, there was unexpected, enthusiastic adoption of modified programs amongst non-target 'extensive' farmers in areas surrounding demonstration sites in Java, perhaps because implementation amongst this group does not require significant additional investment.

6. Extension of validated disease control programs to smallholder shrimp farmers in Indonesia, Thailand and Australia.

Development of carefully targeted extension approaches was a key activity within the project. Consequently, there was generally good adoption within farmer groups linked to successful demonstration ponds and this led to significant production improvements. The use of socio-grams and continuous reflection and improvement processes informed the extension activities. Impact assessment was undertaken in Indonesia and Thailand. Initial results indicate strong diffusion rates from participating farmers and significant gains with farmers who adopted recommendations in most cases. Carefully targeted extension materials have been developed and these have been widely circulated at varying levels to key stakeholders including relevant extension staff and the private sector. The lack of effective government extension systems in aquaculture is one of the limitations to wider integration of technologies. Some steps have been taken to work with the private sector (feed and seed suppliers) with potential for further development.

The collaborative India project began, independent of ACIAR funding, one year before the core project and generally remained further advanced in meeting its objectives. Its three objectives were:

1. To reduce the risk of disease outbreaks and improve production in shrimp farms.
2. To organize smallholder farmers under "Self Help Groups" / "Aquaclubs" for sustainable production and to quickly respond to growing market demands.
3. To produce better quality shrimp in socially acceptable, environmentally sound and economically viable ways.

Outcomes can be summarised as follows:
Prevalence of diseases on participating farms was lowered from 80% to 20%;
There was a 40% increase in production without intensification;
Cost of production decreased by 20%;
Better organised and disciplined farmers under AquaClubs with responsibility and accountability;
Much improved coordination and cooperation between farmers and others in supply chain;
Quick flow of reliable/credible information to farmers;
Increased knowledge on BMP adoption;
Confident farmers with better hopes;
Good trust between the extension team and the farmers.

Overall, both project components are considered to have performed very well within their resources and context, in the face of some significant challenges and changes in the industry in each participating country.