World Vision Australia

The project has been operational since April 2008. The initial phase of the project has been successfully completed with demonstration trials established at three Rural Training Centres (RTCs): Tabaka RTC, Western Province; Airahu RTC, Malaita Province and; St Dominic's RTC, Western Province. These initial demonstration plots will be further expanded in the first half of 2009.
Work has begun on developing curricular materials for use by the RTCs at the curriculum development unit of the Solomon Islands College of Higher Education (SICHE). This work is being partially funded through the European Union and is a close collaboration with a similar project introducing smallholder timber plantings into the State School system.
Whilst the plan to establish fully-replicated scientific trials at the Solomon Islands College of Higher Education land on Guadalcanal has not gone ahead, an alternative site has been identified and SICHE students and the students from St Josephs School at Tenaru, east Honiara, are working to prepare the site which will be planted in June 2009. Further scientific trials have been established at Poitete and Ringgi Cove on Kolombangara Island in Western Province. The trial at Poitete will be managed by the trainees of the SICHE Forestry Training Institute when the programme re-commences following refurbishment in late 2009. The trial at Ringgi will be under the management of Kolombangara Forest Products Ltd and will receive normal, operational maintenance.
Thinning trials have also been established on community teak plantations in Western Province and Guadalcanal with further trials to be established on Malaita and Kolombangara. These trials have included students from SICHE, trainee extension officers from the Ministry of Forestry and local landholders as part of a larger effort to introduce thinning into the established community plantings throughout the Solomon Islands.
The timber testing programme which will provide information on the timber properties of different age classes of Solomon Islands provenance teak and compare this with Australian-grown teak from north Queensland has commenced with the delivery of the N. Qld teak to the DEEDI (formerly DPI) timber testing facility at Salisbury in Brisbane.
An addition to the original proposal has seen the involvement of the Hopevale Aboriginal Community in Queensland with the identification and clearing of a mixed species trial area which will feature Teak and African Mahogany grown as the high value species with Eucalyptus pellita (red mahogany) grown as the inter planted species. The project is working in conjunction with Mareeba Campus of the Australian Agricultural College to provide training opportunities in forestry and silviculture related activities suitable for the trainees to find employment in the local plantation forestry industry.

The continued lack of biosecurity in the Non-Industrial Commercial Poultry Sector (NICPS) ensures that Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) cannot be effectively controlled in Indonesia. Lack of biosecurity past the farm gate, limited trace-back, multiple production cycles, low level of understanding of biosecurity, and minimal price differentiation between healthy and sick birds lead to poor implementation of farm biosecurity systems. This project has begun to develop cost effective biosecurity measures with a demonstrated benefit to NICPS farmers. When developed, adoption of these will improve the productivity and reduce the zoonotic threat of HPAI to the poultry industry.
Project partners within the industry (Forum Masyarakat Perunggasan Indonesia - FMPI), universities (Institut Pertanian Bogor - IPB and Udayana University - UNUD) and relevant government departments at national and provincial levels (Bali and West Java) have continued to have a significant role in the development and implementation of the project. The highlights of the first year of the project include the training activities undertaken, the significant development of support institutions and the undertaking of a baseline survey and risk analysis.
A unique feature of this project is its embedding within the Indonesian poultry industry. This has been a major achievement and has led to some of the institutions established being utilised by other donors and government agencies. At the national level the Biosecurity Consultative Group (BCG) has been established by the project to link project activities with national-level industry objectives. It is headed by Pk Don Utoyo who is also head of the FMPI and has members from private multinationals (Charoen Pokphan - CP) and Japfa Comfeed), farmer associations (Gabungan Organisasi Peternak Ayam Nasional - GOPAN and Indonesian Poultry Farmer Association and Information Centre - PINSAR) and government (Directorate General Livestock Services - DGLS). The success of the BCG has led to requests from other donors to use it as a more general forum for donor, government and industry discussion and cooperation. Through the BCG the project is playing an important role in the development of a new industry led 'road-map'; the National Poultry Industry Program (NPIP) that will develop a long term strategy to improve the structure of the industry. The project has begun developing links with the Poultry Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) based at UNE to provide advice as to what this industry structure might look like. The opening workshop for the project was held at the Crowne Plaza in Jakarta (October 20-21) and was not only a project launch but also an opportunity for all stakeholders to begin discussion on a unified approach to biosecurity in the NICPS.
At the provincial level, Project Steering Committees (PSC) have been established. These mirror the BCG and are providing input and support to project activities. The BCG and PSCs meet every quarter to review performance and plan future activities. Provincial Project Coordinators (PPC) in Bali and East Java have been appointed and trained and are managing project activities in these areas. The Pusat Biosekuriti Unggas Indonesia (PBUI) has been established with the intention of it becoming a self-sufficient training and biosecurity policy development institute. The two manager positions created in the project, one for industry liaison and the other for training, have begun to develop industry links and training programs respectively. A 5-day advisor training workshop was run in February 2009 (20 participants) with future farmer (June 2009), auditor and other stakeholder training planned. Industry stakeholders have requested to be involved in future training. FAO have signalled their intention to use the PBUI for training activities in South Sulawesi. The major Indonesian poultry industry magazines; Trobos and Poultry Indonesia featured articles concerning the advisor training in East Java.
Initial surveys of 120 farmers in each of the 2 provinces have been completed. Results from this survey will be used in conjunction with a formal risk assessment that has been undertaken of poultry farming systems in Bali and South Sulawesi. Information from these will form the basis of understanding farmer attitudes to biosecurity and the capacity to implement biosecurity measures on farm and in the marketing chain. They will also identify particular areas where practical economic and technical research will be required.
Research has been commissioned from UNUD and the Indonesian Centre for Agro-socioeconomic and Policy Studies (ICASEPS) to complete an analysis of farmer characteristics that are linked with differing levels of adoption of on-farm biosecurity. A Masters student (at IPB) will also use survey data to develop a model of cost-effective biosecurity in the NICPS.
The major change in project activities revolves around the postponement of activities in South Sulawesi (Sulsel). This was due to exchange rate issues, and a lack of appropriate partner. Solutions to these issues are presently being negotiated with ACIAR and AusAID and it is expected that activities will commence in July 2009.

Identifying and implementing cost-effective biosecurity for NICPS farms in Indonesia continues to be priority for the poultry industry. The project has continued to work at the national level with the poultry industry through our partnership with Pk Don Utoyo (FMPI), and the DGLS and at the provincial level (Bali, West Java and South Sulawesi) with the poultry farmer associations and Provincial and Kabupaten Dinas. Project staff continue to meet quarterly with its project partners at Biosecurity Consultative Group (BCG) meetings and Provincial Steering Committee (PSC) meetings. The major activities and developments for the year were:
1. Extension into South Sulawesi.
AusAID has provided $300,000 to be used to extend project activities into South Sulawesi during the remaining 2.5 years of the project. Project activities began with an opening workshop on November 16th, 2009. Staff were employed in February and have been allocated office space in the SADI office and in the Dinas office. Advisor, 'how to train' and farmer training workshops have already been undertaken and a survey of broiler and layer farmers completed. The project is working very closely with FAO in this province and has established links with Hasanuddin University (UNHAS). The PSC has been formed and has met twice. The Head of the PSC is drh. Wahyu Suhadji, a farmer and head of the poultry farmer association. The clean market chain working group has also been formed.
2. Survey of Broiler and Layer Smallholders.
The survey of NICPS layer and broiler farmers in Bali and West Java has been completed. 228 smallholders have been interviewed 3 times (4 monthly intervals). Data has been cleaned and initial results will be presented at the project-sponsored workshop titled 'Towards the adoption of cost-effective biosecurity in NICPS farms' in June 2010. A farm biosecurity status scoring system has been developed and will be used as a basis for further analysis to identify cost-effective biosecurity for NICPS farms. Nine papers will be presented at this workshop by project partners and two will be further developed and presented at the AARES conference in Melbourne in February 2011.
The survey form has also been used by Indonesian-Dutch Partnership (IDP) program. It may also be used by the USDA for their data collection. Using the same data form will allow a larger dataset to be compiled and better information available to policy makers.
Consumer surveys have also been completed by researchers at UNUD (Bali) and ICASEPS (West Java) to determine the consumers' willingness to pay for product from biosecure farms. The results of this research will be presented at the biosecurity workshop in June.
3. Biosecurity training.
This project has developed 3 workshop formats suited to the needs of advisors and farmers. In the past 12 months the project has run 7 training workshops 4 fully funded by ACIAR, 1 by USDA, 1 by FAO and 1 jointly funded by ACIAR and FAO. This funding of ACIAR training programs by other donors is an important step in ensuring a consistent, sustainable and coordinated approach to biosecurity training in Indonesia. It is acknowledgement of the standard of the programs developed by the ACIAR project. Further workshops for farm auditors and other stakeholders (e.g. bankers, government decision makers) are being developed. In the past year 43 advisors have attended ACIAR 5-day training programs, 49 advisors have attended a 1-day 'How to run a training course' workshop and 37 farmers have attended 2-day farmer training programs. 70 Dinas staff also received training in biosecurity at a Dinas funded training workshop for staff in Kalimantan.
A brochure has been produced to advise provide potential training organisations of the capability of the ACIAR/PBUI to implement biosecurity training programs.
Sarini Pande (PPC, Bali) has completed the requirements to become an ACIAR accredited Biosecurity Master Trainer.
4. Clean Market Chain.
Initial focus groups in Bali and West Java identified an interest in developing a niche market for product from biosecure farms. The Project Steering Committees (PSCs) in the 3 provinces have become 'Clean Market Chain Working Groups' with the aim of developing a clean market chain for meat and eggs from certified biosecure farms to be sold at premium prices in supermarkets. These groups have met in Bali and West Java. Stakeholders include; Dinas, farmers, slaughterhouse, supermarkets, collectors and contracting companies.
The project is working with the Dinas and industry to develop, implement and audit farm certification schemes.
Provincial Project Coordinators (PPCs) in Bali and West Java have completed farm biosecurity plans for 4 farms. Each farm which becomes part of the clean market chain will have implemented an approved farm biosecurity plan.

Improving biosecurity of smallholder poultry farms remains a priority when controlling poultry diseases in Indonesia. In 2010/2011 there has been a focus on facilitating market access and obtaining a premium price for products sold from approved biosecure farms. It is expected that this will be suitable for wider adoption throughout Indonesia.
Major achievements of the past year include:
Training.
Technical courses were held for farmers, advisors and auditors, and awareness workshops for stakeholders such as poultry input suppliers, lending institutions and poultry associations. The objective has been to train and make aware sufficient numbers of people and organisations to pilot the development of a 'clean market chain' in the three project locations.
PPCs Bugie Kurnianto and Midha Karim have met the assessment requirements to become Indonesian Master Trainers bringing the total to four. The Indonesian members of the training team developed a high quality training package for auditors and used it to deliver a series of courses for auditors. The independence, initiative and Indonesian ownership is an important achievement of the project.
Bugie Kurnianto (PPC, West Java) and Hasmida Karim (PPC, South Sulawesi) are presently undertaking Masters Programs at IPB and Hasanuddin University respectively. Putri Komaladara (UNUD) has obtained an AusAID scholarship and will begin a Masters of economics program at UNE in June 2011. Her thesis topic will be the economics of poultry biosecurity.
Market chain development.
A framework for a market chain has been developed to market meat and eggs from the project's biosecure farms in readiness for a product launch in supermarkets which was completed at the three project locations in June 2011. A total of 63 farms (21 in Bali, 31 in West Java and 11 in South Sulawesi) have implemented agreed farm biosecurity plans and had their farms audited. They are now approved to supply their products to 6 supermarkets in the Project area. These farms have biosecurity plans developed with assistance of trained advisors, and been audited by trained personnel.
Surveys in West Java, South Sulawesi and Bali have identified consumers' willingness to pay for products from biosecure farms. In South Sulawesi it was estimated that the respondents were willing to pay an extra Rp.2,140/kg for chicken meat and Rp.1,160kg for eggs from biosecure farms. In West Java it was an additional Rp.2,987/kg and Rp.2,235/kg for chicken meat and eggs respectively. In Bali it was found that chicken meat consumers would be prepared to pay up to Rp.5,000 more per chicken and Rp.10,000/kg extra for eggs.
The project has also funded a study to estimate the market chain costs. This was headed by Ir Suryawan who is also the head of the CMC Working Group in Bali.
PPCs have worked with participating abattoirs to develop protocols for segregation, hygiene and traceability of product.
An Indonesian advertising company (Concepthings) assisted with production of labels for egg cartons and broiler packaging, signage for farm gates, offices and sheds, and promotional t-shirts. Logos were chosen from a competition run by the project. Products have been launched in West Java, Bali and South Sulawesi supermarkets in May and June. It is anticipated that these events will be featured the at the forthcoming Crawford Fund Conference "The Supermarket Revolution in Food".
Research dissemination.
A two-day conference Adoption of Cost-Effective Biosecurity for Non-Industrial Commercial Poultry Sector Farms in Indonesia in Bogor in June was organised by the project. Fifty seven delegates represented donors, industry, academia and central and provincial governments. The 17 presentations included research papers from the abovementioned surveys. Three project team members presented papers at the AARES Conference in Melbourne in February.
Stakeholder relationships.
The Clean Market Chain Working Groups in West Java, South Sulawesi and Bali, and the national-level Biosecurity Consultative Group (BCG) continue to meet regularly. They comprise representatives of government, poultry industry and university with responsibilities for guiding the project.
Regular meetings of project team members with senior officials of the Directorate General of Livestock and Animal Health Services (DGLAHS) occurred to report on project progress. Systems of accreditation and minimum biosecurity standards have been high on the agenda.
The Indonesian Poultry Biosecurity Centre (Pusat Biosekuriti Unggas Indonesia (PBUI)) established by the project is now recognised as an established training institution. Preliminary talks have occurred with DGLS and Indonesian Poultry Industry Forum (FMPI) concerning its integration into the National Poultry Strategic Plan (Komite Unggas Nasional).

This project commenced (January 2011) with reviews of the cocoa industries of Fiji, the Solomon Islands, and Samoa. These reviews provided information on: a) current and projected production levels; b) exporter, processor and producer groups engaged in the industry and c) current cocoa industry development programs in place; and d) future market opportunities.
In February 2011, the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) conducted a scoping mission to the Solomon Islands to consult with the Cocoa Livelihoods Improvement Program (CLIP) on the impact of their smallholder Integrated Pest and Disease Management (IPDM) project. This mission enabled SPC to adjust the different cocoa management practices which would become part of this project's participatory trial of IPDM methods and plan future actions in Solomon Islands.
The project team then undertook a series of missions to Vanuatu and took the following actions to establish partnerships and launch the IPDM work:
In February-March, SPC and CAB International (CABI), worked with partners - the Department for Agricultural and Rural Development (DARD), the Vanuatu Agricultural Research and Technical Centre (VARTC), and the 10 different farmer networks on Epi and Malekula islands - to finalise the research and implementation plan for the first 18 months. Information sessions were conducted with 8 of the 10 farmer networks with whom the 12-month Participatory Research Appraisal (PRA) of cocoa IPDM strategies would be evaluated, to discuss the strategies for addressing pre-harvest losses attributable to black pod disease and rats. This also enabled SPC and CABI to carry out a rapid field assessment of the current losses.
In April-May, SPC, in consultation with CABI and CLIP, designed the training tools and information packs to be distributed to farmers, prior to commencing the IPDM trial. Information packs for farmers were developed by SPC, and training tools for farmers on the proper management of black pod and rat infestations were developed by CABI and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) respectively. Copies of these information packs and training tools were distributed to all project partners in Vanuatu in June.
In May, SPC developed a work program for the implementation of the IPDM PRA in consultation with the three different cocoa export networks involved in the project (the Vanuatu Organic Cocoa Growers Alliance (VOCGA), the Cocoa Growers Alliance (CGA) and the Alternative Communities' Trade in Vanuatu (ACTIV) network), as well as CABI and other project partners in Vanuatu, beginning with the selection of 12 lead farmers ('Apostles') from each of the 10 participating farmer networks.
In June SPC and CABI worked with each of the three cocoa export partners, to provide a 1-day training session to each of the 10 farmer networks, on effective black pod management, rat management and the parameters of the IPDM PRA.
During April-May, SPC worked with the Vanuatu National Statistics Office and University of Adelaide to develop the Cocoa Livelihoods Household Questionnaire. This questionnaire is designed to identify influences on adoption of new cocoa management technologies. It has been translated into Bislama and six enumerators trained to carry out the household surveys. An initial trial has been conducted, allowing the questionnaire to be adjusted ahead of carrying out the full survey of 480 households.
A major challenge to project delivery has arisen through Mars Inc. deciding that it is unable to provide the germplasm evaluation, conservation and dissemination role outlined in the project document. SPC and ACIAR are negotiating with the Cocoa Coconut Institute Ltd (CCIL) in Papua New Guinea, to provide this expertise. In addition, CLIP in the Solomon Islands has agreed to provide some short-term support to the Vanuatu Agricultural Research and Technical Centre (VARTC) while a long-term solution is explored.
The major scientific achievement of this reporting period was the measurement of black pod and rat damage in Vanuatu. While pre-harvest losses as high as 90% were previously reported, this assessment found that losses resulting from rat damage are never higher than 10%. This finding will inform the design of the IPDM assessment.
Initial project impacts relate to the improvement of smallholders' cocoa management practices. During this reporting period, 120 farmers were trained on effective black pod management and rat control, and provided with three systematic methodologies (of varying degrees of labour intensiveness) for reducing losses.
The major communication activities involved the dissemination of the findings of the rapid assessment of black pod and rat damage and the dissemination of training tools on simple IPDM techniques.

The opening workshop for the project was held in July 2007 and was attended by staff from Dinas Perkebunan, University of Hasanuddin and Mars Inc., farmer leaders and the project partners. The meeting provided an opportunity for presentations and group discussions addressing the key problems faced by cocoa smallholders. Visits made to farmer groups in South, South-East and West Sulawesi provinces during the year allowed project staff to explain the process of selecting and testing clones and its potential value in farm rehabilitation to farmers. Since many farmers wish to rehabilitate parts of their farms from seedling cocoa, trials were planned (under Objective 1) as part of a rehabilitation process on land cleared of unproductive trees by farmers. Six trials testing twelve clones in four replicate blocks have been established in the three provinces in the districts of Pinrang, North Luwu (Bone-bone), Polmas, North Kolaka and Kolaka (Lambandia, including one trial established by sidegrafting onto mature trees). One further trial is planned. Clones for testing were top-grafted onto rootstock seedlings in 2007 and, in early 2008, planted in trials at sites selected with the guidance of project staff from Mars Inc. Clones selected for the trials include genotypes with promising high-yielding or resistance characteristics identified by Mars Inc., a previous ACIAR project and local farmers. Two clones will be common to all the trials and act as standards. The project has initiated the establishment of a field facility for cocoa research in Soppeng, South Sulawesi on 5 hectares provided for field research by Dinas Perkebunan Selatan. This will form part of a cooperative effort under the Cocoa Sustainability Partnership (CSP), a forum of private and government agencies concerned with cocoa research and development in Sulawesi. A nursery and well with a pump have been constructed. The well will provide only some of the water needed for the ACIAR project trials. A further well will be required to provide sufficient water for the two trials planned at the site (Objective 2): to test hybrid progeny and selected clones against pests and diseases. Staff management, infra-structure requirements and organisational matters for the field centre were discussed in detail and responsibilities allocated. Hybrid crosses for the Soppeng trial site have already been made and seeds of some of these crosses produced. Also, trial sites have been marked out and temporary shade planted. But the establishment of the hybrid testing trial has been delayed by the higher-than-expected costs for preparing the site for planting. Approximately fifty genotypes for the clone testing trial at the Soppeng site have been grafted onto rootstock seedlings. A project staff member has commenced a PhD study at Gadjah Mada University (also part of Objective 2). The study will focus on forms of resistance in cocoa pods to cocoa pod borer. Meetings with farmer groups and extension officers established some priorities for research on options for pest/disease management (Objective 3). Feedback indicated that the major pest/disease concerns of farmers were Phytophthora pod rot and vascular-streak dieback. Demonstrations of cultural management methods (pruning, sanitation and fertiliser application) and phosphonate application were conducted in South-East Sulawesi. The phosphonate, to be tested against Phytophthora palmivora, is applied using slow-release implants placed in the stem and major branches. Further trials are planned for the coming year. In visits to farmer groups made by ICCRI, BRIEC and Australian project staff, feedback sessions were conducted in conjunction with practical training demonstrations. The basic design of a proposed cocoa management handbook relevant to Sulawesi farmers was discussed. However, to avoid confusing or conflicting advice it was decided that such educational material should be prepared in collaboration with other members of the CSP. The aims and methodology of a socio-economic study (for Objective 4) were discussed and farmer surveys were commenced in West and South Sulawesi. This study will be continued with surveys conducted at six monthly intervals in three provinces.

Evaluations of the cocoa trees in trials established in Polman, Kolaka, North Kolaka, North Luwu and Pinrang Districts, Sulawesi, each testing twelve cocoa clones, have commenced. These trials have provided data for individual clones on flowering and incidence of vascular-streak dieback (VSD), the most important disease affecting vegetative stages of cocoa. VSD has been identified as one of the most significant problems for farmers, many of whom wish to rehabilitate their farms with new cocoa clones or even change over to other crops as a result of the impact of this disease.

Australian project staff participated in a meeting hosted by a USAID funded project in Makassar (June 2008) to discuss the problem posed by the VSD epidemic. Further discussions on the nature of the VSD problem and possible management methods were held in a forum hosted by the Cocoa Sustainability Partnership (CSP). Project staff (Australian and Indonesian) also participated in a cocoa research conference hosted by the Indonesian Coffee and Cocoa Research Institute (ICCRI) and a workshop funded by the Australian government to initiate a new Indonesian government program aimed at revitalisation of cocoa farming in Sulawesi (GERNAS, Gerakan Nasional Percepatan Revitilisasi Kakao Sulawesi), both held in Bali in October/November 2008. The GERNAS workshop identified some major priorities requiring attention for optimal development of smallholder cocoa in Sulawesi and eastern Indonesia.

In field visits to VSD-affected areas in Java and Sulawesi, Australian project staff reassessed symptoms of VSD, which were found to differ from previous reports and descriptions. The reasons for these changed symptoms are unknown but could possibly be a result of declining nutrient status of the soil.

Progeny of ten hybrid crosses have been raised in the CSP (Cocoa Sustainability Partnership) nursery at Padali, Soppeng. A proportion of the seedlings obtained from seven crosses have been planted in the trial site in Padali and planting of the remaining seedlings is in progress. Temporary shade is provided by Moghania macrophylla and permanent shade trees have been planted. The establishment of the clone screening trial planned for the same location has been delayed due to failure of the grafted seedlings. More rootstock seedlings were prepared and they have been regrafted with more than seventy cocoa selections, including local Sulawesi selections. The clones will be transferred to the trial site in the next wet season.

Farmer group training sessions on cultural methods of pest and disease management were conducted by Indonesian Coffee and Cocoa Research Institute (and Biotechnology Research Institute for Estate Crops staff members accompanied by Australian project staff during two visits in 2008 and a further visit in 2009. Under the guidance of project staff members, management demonstration plots were established by a farmer group in North Luwu (adding to those established in Lambandia in the previous year). A trial was established in Bonebone to test three methods of phosphonate application on cocoa grafts infected with stem canker (caused by the pathogen Phytophthora palmivora). This builds upon a phosphonate trunk injection trial conducted by a previous ACIAR project, CP/2000/102, in Southeast Sulawesi that demonstrated effective control of canker using this method. Socioeconomic surveys to assess uptake among farmers of improved cocoa management techniques have been conducted in Polman and North Luwu with similar surveys planned for North Kolaka. Initial results of the surveys indicate a preference among farmers for labour-saving and high input technologies combined with a trend towards purchasing more land, rather than intensification of cocoa production on currently producing farms. This suggests that the main limitation to implementation of improved pest/disease control and general management methods is a labour shortage, and that highly labour-intensive management methods are unlikely to be adopted by farmers under the current socio-institutional settings of production.

Under a project variation, the project was extended with the inclusion of two new partner institutions in the provinces of Papua and West Papua. Project activities to be conducted in these provinces under the variation include farmer training using IPDM demonstration trials, transfer of cocoa management technologies to locally based government staff and the initiation of clone selection and testing. A five-day workshop with twenty one participants was held in Jayapura, Papua in February 2010. Four cocoa research specialists were invited from Papua New Guinea (PNG) to exchange knowledge with their Indonesian counterparts and to conduct training of local project staff, with local farmers participating in the field training activities. Based on a model developed by a previous ACIAR project in PNG, adjacent plots were established on a cocoa farm in Alang-Alang (in a Wamena migrant area) to demonstrate the effect of different levels of input of labour and materials (such as fertiliser or compost) on production. The workshop included training on other techniques, such as grafting and nursery management. Similar demonstration plots were established the following month in Mandopi, West Papua, with the participation of staff at the University of Papua and of a local Arfak farmer group. This site also provided a focus for training 25 extension agronomists for the cocoa module of an International Fund of Agricultural Development (IFAD)/Antara sponsored program conducted by the University of Papua (April -June 2010). The module includes training on sanitation methods, sidegrafting and the preparation of compost with microbial promoters. Suitable sites on farms have been identified in Papua and West Papua to establish clone testing trials.
In Sulawesi, project staff from Australia and Indonesian partner institutions conducted field training for farmers in July and November 2009 at two of the multi-location clone trial sites. Assessments of pods for pest and disease incidence and severity, yield and bean characteristics as well as flowering and diseases of vegetative plant parts are being conducted at four of the trial sites. The latest harvest season has demonstrated striking differences in yield and resistance between clones. Some clones selected in the program in collaboration with Mars Inc., a co-leader in the ACIAR project, have shown outstanding potential for improved yield and disease resistance and are being keenly sought by farmers.
At the Cocoa Sustainability Partnership field site in Soppeng, most of the hybrid cocoa plants and shade trees were destroyed by a wildfire in August 2009. The nursery was also damaged beyond repair. However, one block in the hybrid plant trial escaped the worst of the damage. Further hybrid screening will be conducted initially in East Java before testing with farmers in Sulawesi. Shade seedlings are being raised in a temporary box nursery to replace the trees burnt by the fire. A total of 600 grafted seedlings of five promising clones were planted in March 2010 for testing at the site. The management of this site has been clarified and it appears still worthwhile to promote this site as a cocoa experimental station in the region.
Links between the project and the Cocoa Research Group at Hasanuddin University were strengthened over the last year. Some third year students were encouraged to undertake their Scripsi Project studies at ACIAR trial sites: one of these showed that basic management techniques (e.g. pruning) increased flowering and decreased the incidence of vascular-streak dieback (VSD) on a farm in Pinrang, and a second study in progress is focusing on patterns of symptom development in VSD-infected shoots. A trial was established in March 2010 with a farmer group in Luwu, South Sulawesi using 800 mature side-grafted cocoa to test the effect of composted cocoa waste material and inorganic fertiliser on yield and pests and diseases; the first monthly evaluation has been completed. Socio-economic surveys of 600 households in Sulawesi have been completed and the data are being analysed as part of an ACIAR-supported PhD study at the University of Sydney. The study has been updated to incorporate an assessment of the GERNAS program, recently introduced by the national government to rejuvenate cocoa production in eastern Indonesia. The PhD thesis of the cocoa breeder who has been a joint leader of our project was completed and passed at Gadjah Madah University in April 2010; the thesis was based on a project on resistance of cocoa to Cocoa Pod Borer supported by the ACIAR Project. Two farmer handbooks have been published and copies distributed. The Project leader gave the McAlpine lecture to the Australasian Plant Pathology Society meeting in Newcastle, September 2009. A number of presentations were made by project staff to the 16th International Cocoa Research Conference, Bali, November 2009 and to the Cocoa Research Unit at The University of the West Indies.

In July 2010, project staff visited project partners in Jayapura (Papua) and Manokwari (West Papua). The Integrated Pest and Disease Management (IPDM) plots, established in Alang-Alang, Papua in February 2010, have continued to be maintained by Mars Inc. field clinic staff. Project staff met with a farmer group in Sentani who expressed enthusiasm for collaborating with the project through BPTP Papua to establish similar IPDM demonstrations of different options in regard to labour and material inputs. Both of the farmer groups and their activities were monitored initially by BPTP Papua but this was interrupted due to the high costs of transportation in Papua. A workshop hosted by the University of Papua to initiate activities in Papua and West Papua under the SMAR/2005/074 extension, was held in Manokwari, with almost all of the project staff attending. Following the workshop, training that targetted farmers, Dinas Perkebunan and local project staff was conducted at the Mandopi IPDM sites by project staff. Third year university students who were using this site for their final year project studies also attended the workshop. The training covered tree management, preparation of compost with microbial promoters including the use of trenches in between tree rows and sanitation to reduce black pod and cocoa pod borer. The Mandopi IPDM plots has also provided a focus for the practical training component of the International Fund of Agricultural Development (IFAD)- and AusAid-sponsered training program for the development of commodities, including cocoa, in rural communities. A clone trial with five clones introduced from Sulawesi and Java grafted onto unproductive trees was established on another farm in Mandopi. This area is prone to flooding, which has been particularly severe in the last 12 months due to higher than usual rainfall, and consequently mortality of the grafts has been high. However, more than fifty grafts of nearly a metre in length had established by May 2011. Five clones have also been topgrafted onto seedlings and will be planted at a location (to be selected) of a higher altitude than Mandopi. A survey of cocoa farmers as part of the socioeconomic objective of the project was initiated in West Papua in cooperation with two BPTP Sulsel staff, who have been conducting similar surveys in Sulawesi. This study aims to elucidate some of the particular issues facing cocoa growers in West Papua, including the central role of social structure. In October 2010, ACIAR held an inter-project meeting in Bali to identify and discuss some of the issues affecting ACIAR projects in Papua. Three project personnel from West Papua and the project coordinator attended the meeting. In Sulawesi, pods in the four clone testing trial sites (three years after planting) have been monitored each fortnight. The results indicate the importance of using a mix of clones on farms, and that testing clone performance locally is essential. In the Polman trial for example, about 30 trees for each of 10 clones produced 153 to 742 pods over the last year. The lowest incidences of cocoa pod borer (CPB) occurred in BR25 and HusbiTori with 8.8 and 9.4 % pods infested, respectively. These clones also produced the highest proportion of healthy (non-infected) pods. However, these clones were susceptible to vascular-streak dieback (VSD), while the clone with the highest level of VSD-resistance (Geni J), was the most susceptible to CPB, with 60.2% pods infested over the year. Phytophthora pod rot (PPR) infection rates were highest in PBC123 and M01 at 24.1% and 23.8%, respectively. These results suggest that resistance traits for CPB, PPR and VSD in these clones are not linked. The recent change occurring in characteristic symptoms of VSD on Indonesian farms and the current research addressing this was presented by the project leader to the 2011 Australasian Plant Pathology Society meeting in Darwin.

This project aims to contribute evidence of effectiveness of methodologies that improve the profitability of large ruminant production in Laos. Interventions that are accepted and can be implemented by smallholder farmers in the areas of health, nutrition, reproduction and marketing are being researched. The project is working in six villages located in the three northern Lao PDR provinces of Luang Prabang, Houaphan and Xieng Khuang. National, provincial and district government staff are working closely with village farmers to implement the project. International experts in different fields of large ruminant production are contributing to the project. They are based with CIAT, UoS, CSU and private consultants.
Activities in the first year were directed at establishing the project and included refurbishing a central project office in Luang Prabang, appointing project staff, selecting the 6 project villages and enrolling the participating households in these villages. Of importance is that the project is implemented in close collaboration with the 'Northern Region Sustainable Livelihood through Livestock Development Project', also known as the Livestock Development Project (LDP) for the northern region. The offices of the LDP and our project are co-located with PASFOI in Luang Prabang, and the project leader of the LDP is also the Lao project leader of our project. This offers immediate opportunities for our research to be extended to the LDP and inclusion of LDP staff in our training programmes.
Knowledge of disease limitations to large ruminant production have been confirmed (Objective 1) through identification of gaps in large ruminant disease diagnosis and reporting. Targeted disease surveillance has commenced at the six project sites, with foot and mouth disease (FMD) and haemorrhagic septicaemia (HS) identified as the major concerns to biosecurity and trade. Liver fluke disease due to Fasciola gigantica in adult buffalo and cattle and Toxocara vitulorum in calves have been identified as production diseases of concern, with dermatitis (cause unknown) also identified as a disease that may limit large ruminant production.
Implementation, testing and demonstration of interventions effects on productivity (Objective 2) have progressed.
Collection of three monthly baseline productivity data has occurred twice (December 2008 and March 2009) in the six project villages.
All animals enrolled in the project in the six project villages have been vaccinated against FMD and HS in December 2008. An outbreak of FMD in Xieng Khuang, shortly after vaccination, demonstrated the effectiveness of vaccination, with significantly less animals becoming sick or dying in the vaccinated villages.
Calves were treated for toxocariasis in three of the project villages in December 2008.
Forage plots to improve cattle and buffalo nutrition will be upgraded by the start of the wet season in May/June 2009 in three project sites.
The attitudes of farmers to health, husbandry and market issues (objective 3) has been assessed through the first of three farmer knowledge surveys in all project villages between December 2008 and January 2009. All households with cattle or buffalo enrolled in the project were interviewed. Results indicated limited knowledge of 'best practice' large ruminant production issues by farmers.
Knowledge of the large ruminant supply chain and key drivers in the targeted communities (Objective 4) has been assessed through a survey of ten traders associated with the six project villages in February 2009. Three traders each were interviewed in Houaphan and Xieng Khuang and four in Luang Prabang province.
Additional funds were obtained from the Australian Crawford Fund to support a series of seven short workshops for project staff in areas of large ruminant production. Three workshops were held in Luang Prabang: a 2-day workshop introducing the project to participants in September 2008, a 2-day animal health workshop in February 2009 and a 3-day large ruminant nutrition workshop in April 2009. Future workshops will cover biosecurity, extension methods, reproduction husbandry, economics and marketing.
Two final year veterinary and two animal science honours students from the University of Sydney have commenced projects within the project, adding value to the research outputs. The current projects 2009 include:
Survey of farmer knowledge of biosecurity, risk of transmission of trans-boundary diseases and large ruminant health and production in 3 provinces of northern Laos: data collection completed in February 2009.
Prevalence of Toxocara vitulorum in large ruminants less than 6 months of age in 3 provinces of Northern Laos: data collection completed in January 2009.
A survey of buffalo livers in Northern Laos and faecal samples from project villages to determine the prevalence and significance of Fasciola gigantica infection: data collection in April 2009.
One PhD project entitled: 'Studies on gastro-intestinal parasites of clinical importance to large ruminants in northern Lao PDR, with special reference to Toxocara vitulorum.

This project is researching methodologies that improve the profitability of large ruminant production in Laos to provide an opportunity for smallholder farmers to increase their household income. By a participatory approach interventions that are accepted and can be implemented by farmers in the areas of animal health, nutrition, reproduction management and marketing are being researched. The project is working in six villages located in the three northern Lao PDR provinces of Luang Prabang, Houaphan and Xieng Khuang. National, provincial and district government staff are working closely with village farmers to implement the project. International experts in different fields of large ruminant production are contributing to the project. They are based with UoS, CIAT, CSU and private consultants.
Activities in the second (of four) year were focused on continued training of the district government staff and farmers in best practice health and husbandry topics, three monthly production data collection in the six project villages and continued implementation of the proposed interventions, particularly in nutrition, animal health and biosecurity.
The project works in close collaboration with the 'Northern Region Sustainable Livelihood through Livestock Development Project', also known as Livestock Development Project (LDP). This is a very large development project being implemented in five northern provinces of Lao. The Lao project leader of the LDP is also the project leader of the ACIAR project, enabling our research to be immediately extended to the LDP by inclusion of LDP staff in our project training programmes.
Implementation, testing and demonstration of interventions effects on productivity (Objective 2) are continuing.
Collection of the three monthly baseline productivity data occurred an additional three times (July, October 2009 and Jan-April 2010) in the six project villages. Five data collections of the set of 10 in original project planning have been completed to date.
All animals enrolled in the project in the six project villages continued to be vaccinated against HS bi-annually. FMD vaccination was conducted in late 2008 but could not be continued in 2009 due to inability to source vaccine. This is being resolved and it is anticipated to resume by mid 2010 in the two project villages of Xieng Khuang, the only province of the project area where FMD have been reported over the last few years.
Young calves were treated for toxocariasis throughout the year in one of the project villages in each province and farmers are now reporting a decrease in calf mortalities. A preliminary study via a UoS honours project on Toxocara in 2009 confirmed the need to extend these studies on the role of Toxocara in calf mortality and morbidity and conduct prevalence studies to enable the financial impact of the infection on smallholder farmers to be determined; these studies are part of PhD thesis through UoS.
Forage plots to improve cattle and buffalo nutrition were upgraded by the start of the wet season in May/June 2009 in Luang Prabang and Xieng Khuang provinces but were delayed in Houaphan province. Establishment of more forage plots in all three provinces is planned for the planting season in May/June 2010 and farmers in all project villages have set aside land for forage establishment and ordered seed and rootstock.
The knowledge gap of farmers that was identified through the first of three panned knowledge surveys (objective 3) in early 2009 is being addressed by district staff working closely with farmers, visiting the project villages monthly and from May 2010 by implementing three-monthly 1/2 day farmer training meetings in the villages.
The knowledge of the large ruminant supply chain and key drivers in the targeted communities (Objective 4) that was initially assessed through a trader survey in Feb 2009 is being used to develop marketing interventions together with project staff at a workshop scheduled for June 2010.
The 'train the trainer' series of 7 workshops to build the capacities of Lao Department of Livestock and Fisheries staff in large ruminant production, supported by additional funds obtained from the Australian Crawford Fund, have continued. Two further workshops were held in Luang Prabang: a 2-day biosecurity workshop in July 2009 and a very successful 3-day large ruminant reproduction workshop in March 2010.
Student research projects contributing to the outcomes of the project have continued and assisted definition of the research questions for the PhD project entitled: 'Studies on gastro-intestinal parasites of clinical importance to large ruminants in northern Lao PDR, with special reference to Toxocara vitulorum and Fasciola gigantica'. A prevalence survey on Toxocara infection in buffalo and cattle calves was completed involving district government staff from 5 northern provinces. Participants collected faecal samples and acquired capacities in sample collection, data collection, record keeping and sample submission. With over 800 faecal samples analysed at the Luang Prabang veterinary laboratory, livestock section staff have been provided with considerable experience in faecal sample processing. Initial results indicate that 78% of villages sampled had calves infected with Toxocara
A small abattoir survey to determine health status of large ruminants at slaughter and to develop a protocol for pre and post slaughter inspection of larger ruminants is scheduled for May/June 2010 to be completed by a final year veterinary student from UoS.

This project is researching methodologies to improve the profitability of large ruminant production in Laos to provide small holder farmers with the opportunity to increase their household income. Through a participatory approach a number of interventions that are accepted and can be implemented by farmers in the areas of animal health, nutrition, reproduction management and marketing are being researched. The project works in six villages located in the three northern Lao PDR provinces of Luang Prabang, Houaphan and Xieng Khuang.
National, provincial and district government staff are working with farmers in the six project villages to implement the project. International experts in different fields of large ruminant production based with UoS, CSU, CIAT and private consultants are contributing to the project.
Activities in the third (of four) year were focused on finalising the initial seven training workshop series of the district and provincial government staff with the final 2 workshops being held during 2010 in June and December, completing a further three baseline production data collections in the 6 project sites and continued implementation of interventions, particularly in nutrition, animal health and biosecurity.
The project continues to work in close collaboration with the 'Northern Region Sustainable Livelihood through Livestock Development Project' (or Livestock Development Project (LDP). This is a very large development project being implemented in five northern provinces of Lao and has the same Lao project leader as this ACIAR project, enabling our research to be immediately extended to the LDP by inclusion of LDP staff in our project training programmes.
Implementation, testing and demonstration of interventions effects on productivity (Objective 2) are continuing.
Collection of baseline productivity data occurred an additional three times (April-June 2010, Sep-Nov 20010 and Feb-April 2011) in the six project villages.
All animals enrolled in the project in the six project villages continued to be vaccinated against HS bi-annually
FMD vaccination was done in Xieng Khuang province in October 2010 for the first time again since initial vaccination in 2008 as sourcing vaccine was not possible since and remains difficult. In addition animals in the two LPB province project sites were also vaccinated in April 2011 for the first time as FMD outbreaks occurred nearby in late 2010.
Young calves continue to be treated for toxocariasis throughout the year by project staff and farmers in one of the project villages in each province and farmers are reporting a decrease in calf mortalities. Data collection to quantify calf mortalities due to Toxocara as part of a PhD thesis has been completed and will be analysed during 2011
Forage plots to improve cattle and buffalo nutrition were expanded and established improving with a further 49 households establishing a total of 20ha of forages. The entire forage plot area is now 27 ha amongst 187 households in the project sites.
75 Fattening stalls have been built in the three high intervention villages and are being used for fattening using forages and silage.

Addressing the knowledge gap of farmers that was identified through the first of three planned knowledge surveys (objective 3) in early 2009 through a farmer training program has been delayed due to an accident of a key project staff member by 12 months and is being implemented starting in May 2011 through a three-month long 1/2 day per week farmer training meeting program in the villages. In the meantime district staff have continued farmer training by on the job training through their bi-monthly visits in project villages. Change in knowledge will be measured through further surveys.
The knowledge of the large ruminant supply chain and key drivers in the targeted communities (Objective 4) that was initially assessed through a trader survey in Feb 2009 was run again in December 2010 and Jan 2011 as not enough data could be used from the first survey to develop marketing intervention. Results are still being analysed.
The 'train the trainer' series of 7 workshops to build the capacities of Lao Department of Livestock and Fisheries staff in large ruminant production, supported by additional funds obtained from the Australian Crawford Fund, were finalised with the final workshops being held in June and December 2010.
Student research projects contributing to the outcomes of the project have continued. They include development of a weight band specific for Lao cattle and buffalo, FMD serology surveys to assess the efficacy of vaccination and FMD reporting and control in Lao, analysis of production data, continued research of Toxocara vitulorum and Fasciola gigantica impact, a pilot slaughter house survey in Luang Prabang province in June 2010,followed larger survey in March/April 2011 showing high rates of liver damage (50% cattle; 95% buffalo) and liver fluke infections (25%) as well as high rate of pregnancy (50% in slaughtered cattle and buffalo)
DAFO staff who was trained by the project have gained skills in faecal sample collection and farmer interview techniques and implemented collection, data recording and submission of 1200 faecal samples for liver fluke prevalence study during 2010. The same staff then interviewed around 250 households in Feb 2011 to collect data that will allow assessment of finical and clinical impact of fluke as well as knowledge and attitude of farmers.

At the commencement of the project in August 2007, three interview teams conducted farmer attitude surveys by interviewing 90 households involving 6 households in 5 villages per province, in the provinces of Kampong Cham, Takeo and Kandal. The farmer attitude survey confirmed the major knowledge gaps, tested the level of cooperation of stakeholders in the potential project sites, assisted in project site selection and provided a basis for discussion at the project implementation workshop of interventions desired by producers from the project.

The project implementation workshop was held in Phnom Penh in September 2007 and was attended by 60 registered participants on day one and 64 on day two. On the second day there were also an additional six senior ministry officials accompanying the Minister of Agriculture for the closing ceremony, confirming the high profile achieved by this activity in Cambodia.

It was agreed that the workshop had successfully promoted the project to senior provincial officers throughout the country and engaged the intended project participants in a deeper understanding of the project objectives, activities and milestones. The breakout group sessions during the workshop greatly assisted the Australian attendees to relate the project implementation plan into the scheduled activities. The clearer definition of skills development and training needs plus student projects was a particularly valuable activity at this stage of project implementation.

Additional outcomes from the workshop were:
A need for additional input in animal health, particular for vaccination for Haemorrhagic Septicaemia, improved FMD diagnosis and control, fasciolosis control in cattle and toxocariasis control in calves.

Recognition of significant inbreeding problems and a widespread demand for improved genetics to solve the problem. However other knowledge-based production interventions such as improved approaches to reproduction address more fundamental limiting factors and is likely to deliver a more rapid return.

Planning and implementation of growing forages and improved feeding strategies to provide large ruminant farmers with skills and resources to improve year round nutrition is a priority.

The implementation workshop was followed up with several information and training workshops for project staff and village participants at selected project sites in February and March 2008.

Field activities for the longitudinal three year survey commenced in late 2007 with selection, inspection and cattle inventory data collection for the six project sites. The high intervention sites are Preak Por in Kandal province, Sen Son Tbong in Kampong Cham and Nor Mo in Takeo. The low intervention sites are Koh Kor in Kandal province, Veal in Kampong Cham and Dem Kdiet in Takeo province.

The first set of quarterly annual animal health and production data was collected and recorded from each of the six sites between March and May 2008.

During a field trip in February 2008 it was identified that forage growing is the preferred option to improve large ruminant nutrition as having access to forage material close to the home will save a considerable amount of labour. Urea treatment of rice straw was also considered but numerous aid projects had shown poor adoption of this practice due to expense and labour involved. Forage growing at various project sites will also provide collaboration opportunities with the ACIAR forage project team and initial meetings with CIAT and other project staff have been held.

Planning and training of farmers and staff involved for the forage growing trial is underway and planting of five varieties of forages has commenced involving 4-7 demonstration households in the three high intervention sites. In addition eight varieties of forages are being trialed at three provincial demonstration sites and at the national cattle breeding station in Phnom Tamao to assist in practical staff training.

Planning and preparation for the first of three farmer knowledge surveys that will be implemented in June 2008 is being finalized.

Designing and implementation of a survey of trader knowledge and attitudes to improving cattle marketing has commenced. Meetings with 20-35 traders and slaughterhouse personnel were held in February 2008 in Kampong Cham, Takeo, Kandal and Kampot provinces. Information gathered at these meetings is being used to develop a survey protocol of traders. The survey will examine priority strategies to assist marketing of cattle.

An Australian PhD student supported by the project and an Australian Biosecurity CRC scholarship commenced in Cambodia in October 2007, with plans to relocate to Laos in early 2009. The proposed thesis is ' Strengthening Veterinary Services through Better Integration of Institutional and Smallholder Approaches to Cattle Health in Cambodia and Laos', and will be conducted mostly within the project.

Three staff members from the royal academy of Cambodia have been appointed to complete research projects in collaboration with this project in the area of FMD serology-surveillance, effectiveness of HS vaccination and impact of nutrition on reproductive performance in cattle.

A Sydney University honours student is assessing the smallholder farmer attitudes to improving cattle health and productivity in Lao and Cambodia for his honours thesis.

As the project completes its second year, interventions in cattle nutrition, health & husbandry management and marketing have commenced at the six project villages in Kandal, Kampong Cham and Takeo provinces. Staff of the Cambodian Department of Animal Health and Production (DAHP), are working closely with smallholder farmers and the participatory approach is proving successful, with methodologies accepted and implemented by participating farmers. Some farmers are already benefiting from improved cattle productivity through increased household income and savings of labour time.
Current knowledge of disease limitations to cattle production has been enhanced (Objective 1) through analysis of reports submitted by provincial DAHP offices in 2008. Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Haemorrhagic Septicaemia (HS) occurred frequently (endemic) and Anthrax and Blackleg occurring sporadically in Cambodia. Analysis of faecal samples from cattle at the six project villages, confirmed a high prevalence of Fasciolosis (liver fluke) in the 2 project villages in Kandal. Paramphistome stomach fluke were noted at all six project sites and tests for Brucellosis were negative from all project villages.
Implementation, testing and demonstrating the value of interventions (Objective 2) involves comparing production data from the three 'high intervention' with the three 'low intervention' villages (one of each in each of the three provinces). A minimum of interventions are introduced in 'low intervention' villages and a larger number introduced into 'high intervention' villages. This enables analysis of both 'before and after' impacts on large ruminant production and the 'normal' change that occurs in large ruminant productivity through the duration of the project. The interventions have progressed as follows:
HS vaccination of cattle has been completed at all of the six project villages in June-July 2008 and April-May 2009, with FMD vaccination in October 2008.
52 forage plots have been established in the three 'high intervention' project villages in September 2008 and more farmers at these sites are interested in establishing forages during the next season (May-June 2009).
Demonstration forage plots were established at two DAHP district offices in Kampong Cham and Takeo for staff and farmer training and a national demonstration forage site was established at the Phnom Tamao cattle breeding station in Takeo province to conduct research on forage cultivation, management and harvesting techniques (plus produce forage seedlings).
A farmer training program of 4 modules, each involving four 3-hour sessions on cattle disease (infectious and parasitic disease prevention and control), nutrition, husbandry and reproduction commenced in January 2009 at the three 'high intervention' villages.
The value of these interventions will be determined by comparison of production data collected several times per year at the six project sites. Data collections occurred in June-July & October 2008 and April-May 2009.
The attitudes and knowledge of farmers in targeted communities to health husbandry and marketing (Objective 3) were assessed August 2008 in the first of three farmer knowledge surveys and identified that farmers had limited knowledge of cattle production. This knowledge gap is being addressed by a farmer education/extension program delivered by the Cambodian DAHP project team.
To improve the knowledge of the cattle supply chain and key drivers for change in the targeted communities (Objective 4), a survey questionnaire of trader practices and attitudes has been designed and translated, and will be implemented during 2009.
The Cambodian project team attended a half day workshop in cattle nutrition in September 2008 and a 2-day workshop in animal health in December 2008. Three staff members commenced English school at the Mekong University, Phnom Penh in July 2008, four University of Sydney (UoS) students participated in the project and three PhD students at the Royal Academy of Cambodia commenced data collections and field investigations for projects in the areas of ruminant nutrition, FMD and HS. The UoS research projects include:
A BAVBiosc(Hons) thesis: 'Assessment of the spatial and temporal trends in smallholder cattle production across Northern Laos and Southern Cambodia' is in preparation for publication in a scientific journal.
Two BVSc students completed projects on liver fluke and blood parasite prevalence respectively in September 2008 and April-May 2009.
A PhD student thesis entitled: 'Strengthening veterinary services through better integration of institutional and smallholder approaches to cattle health in Cambodia' is continuing.
Collaboration with other development activities are being fostered, with members of our project joining a 'learning alliance' to unite professionals working in large ruminant production research and development in Cambodia (the group will meet twice per annum). Representatives from other projects involved in large ruminant production issues will be participating at the annual project meeting in July 2009.

This project is completing its third year of implementation and is researching methods to improve cattle productivity by trialling interventions in the areas of nutrition, animal health, reproduction & husbandry management and marketing. The project works in six villages in Kandal, Kampong Cham and Takeo provinces where 250 cattle belonging to an average of 100 households in each village have been enrolled in the project. Staff members of the Cambodian Department of Animal Health and Production (DAHP) work closely with smallholder farmers owning these cattle. The participatory approach was chosen to ensure that the methods researched can be implemented by local farmers and are accepted by them, providing them with an opportunity to increase their household income. Proven successful methods can eventually be adopted by other projects and in other districts and provinces.
The Agricultural Extension Department is collaborating to ensure project outcomes and impacts are reaching an audience outside the immediate stakeholders including government staff in other provinces and the general public.
International experts in different fields of large ruminant production are contributing to the project. They are based with University of Sydney, CIAT and private consultants.
From 1 June 2009 to 31 May 2010 following progress towards the project objectives were achieved:
Implement test and demonstrate the value of interventions aimed at increasing cattle production (Objective 2)
Disease preventions/management:
HS and FMD vaccination of cattle continues annually in all six project villages. No reports of HS or FMD outbreaks in the project villages during the year have occurred.
Liver fluke (Fasciola gigantica) and stomach fluke (Paramphistome spp.) have been treated in the villages where they were identified through targeted surveillance.
HS and FMD vaccination of cattle continues annually in all six project villages. No reports of HS or FMD outbreaks in the project villages during the year have occurred.
Liver fluke (Fasciola gigantica) and stomach fluke (Paramphistome spp.) have been treated in the villages where they were identified through targeted surveillance.
Better cattle nutrition:
Forage plot establishment expanded from 52 plots to 413 plots in the project villages covering areas of around 80,000m2 in Takeo, 30,000 m2 in Kandal and 95,000 m2 in Kampong Cham province project villages. Forage planting has been adopted by neighbouring villages and districts (20 provinces and 4 municipalities).
Forage conservation (bag silage) is being trialled at the government owned 'Phnom Tameo' breeding station in Takeo province where demonstration forage sites have been established by the project. 1500 kg of bag silage was prepared in Oct 2009.
A small feeding trial to measure growth rates of cattle involving 6 animals has been set up at the 'Phnom Tameo' in October 2009.
Assess the attitudes and knowledge of farmers in targeted communities to health, husbandry and market issues, and communicate project outcomes to large ruminant stakeholders in target areas (Objective 3)
The knowledge gap of farmers in cattle production topics that was identified through the first farmer knowledge survey in 2008, continued to be addressed by a farmer education/extension program in large ruminant production. The final 2 of 4 modules of the farmer training program developed the previous year by the Cambodian project team was delivered by the project staff in the three high intervention villages in April & May 2010.
Project updates have been communicated to various stakeholders (including national and provincial level DAHP, other project and OIE staff) at the 'learning alliance meetings' held in June 2009 and March 2010 and at the annual project meeting in July 2009.
The nutrition interventions (forage establishment for cattle nutrition) have received recognition at higher levels of the Ministry of Agriculture who requested that government staff outside the project be trained. 3 forage training workshops were conducted in April-May 2010 and attended by 434 Village Animal Health Workers (VAHW) from Takeo and Kampong Cham provinces. The Minister of Agriculture presided over one of the training courses in May 2010 in Takeo.
Four study visits on forage plantation were organized for villagers, VAHW, district and provincial officers, students and NGO staff from out side the project target areas. The Minister of Agriculture accompanied by senior officers of MAFF, leaders of the Department of Agriculture, provincial and local governors attended one study visit in Kampong Cham in May 2010.
Improve the knowledge of the cattle supply chain and key drivers for change in the targeted communities (Objective 4)
A trader survey was completed in September 2009. 52 traders working in the project provinces as well as the Phnom Penh municipality were interviewed. Results are being collated and used to develop marketing interventions at a workshop scheduled for June 2010.
Capacity building
The workshop series in large ruminant production topics developed for a parallel project in Laos (AH 2006/159) has been adapted for Cambodian project staff. A 3-day large ruminant nutrition workshop was held in September 2009 and a 3-day large ruminant reproduction workshop was held in March 2010. Both workshops were attended by 20-25 DAHP staff and project staff involved in other large ruminant projects.
An application for funding from the AusAid Australian Leadership Award fellowship program by UoS was successful. The program is titled 'Strengthening Animal Health and Production Capacities, Cambodia and Lao PDR' and will provide the Cambodian project leader with studies in the Leadership and Project Management units in the UoS Veterinary Public Health Management program and visits to leading animal health and government institutions in Australia.
Three PhD students from the royal academy of Cambodia continued their projects in the areas of ruminant nutrition, FMD and HS.
Collaboration with other development activities are being fostered, with members of our project joining a 'learning alliance' to unite professionals working in large ruminant production research and development in Cambodia (the group is meeting twice per annum). The ACIAR project team hosted a 2 day learning alliance meeting in March 2010 and members of the learning alliance were invited to the nutrition workshop in September 2009.

This project, which is researching methods to improve cattle productivity by trialling interventions in the areas of nutrition, animal health, reproduction & husbandry management and marketing has completed its fourth year of implementation. Approval for the project to be extended by 12 months until 1 July 2012 has been received, enabling the momentum the project gained over the last 12 months to progress. The extension will focus particularly on researching biosecurity, nutrition for better production, marketing and reproduction management interventions as well as knowledge, attitude and practices assessments of participating smallholder farmers both in the high (HI) and low (LI) intervention villages.
The central Cambodian project team of DAHP staff continues to work with the farmers in six villages in Kandal, Kampong Cham and Takeo provinces where 250 cattle belonging to an average of 100 households in each village were initially enrolled.
Closer collaboration with the two other ACIAR projects working with cattle in Cambodia (AH 2003/008 and AH 2006/025) occurred over the last 12 months, culminating in a joint workshop in Phnom Penh in June 2011, with each project presenting research outcomes of their projects. The aim is to produce two joint project publications, including an ACIAR monograph of the outcomes from the 3 cattle projects, and a manual on cattle production in Khmer, for use by district and provincial officers and village veterinary workers as an extension resource.
From 1 June 2010 to 30 June 2011, the following progress towards the project objectives was achieved:
Implement test and demonstrate the value of interventions aimed at increasing cattle production (Objective 2)
Disease preventions/management:
HS and FMD vaccination of cattle continues annually in all six project villages. No cases of HS were reported in any of the HI project villages.
Between July and December 2010, FMD occurred in the LI village in Kampong Cham province, with about 20% of cattle affected. Vaccination for FMD was done by project staff during February 2010 and most FMD affected cattle were recently introduced unvaccinated animals. This instance reflects the importance of FMD vaccination but probably also reflects the lack of knowledge on biosecurity (risk management) of farmers in LI villages who have not yet been exposed to training by local extension staff.
Better cattle nutrition:
Forage plot establishment continued to expand in the HI project villages and during the last 13 months increased from 80,000m2 to 141,000m2 involving 421 households in Takeo, from 10,000m2 to 20,450m2 involving 29 households in Kandal and from 95,000m2 to 119,570m2 involving 140 households in Kampong Cham province project villages.
Forage plantings were also adopted by 185 households covering 63,580m2 in non-project villages.
A small feeding trial to measure growth rates of cattle involving 6 animals was conducted at the 'Phnom Tameo' breeding station and showed that the 12 month old trial steers gained 2.125 kg/week on forages versus 1kg/week free grazing.
Cattle in the high intervention project sites achieved higher weight gains over the 3-year study period indicating that interventions result in better growth rates
Assess the attitudes and knowledge of farmers in targeted communities to health, husbandry and market issues, and communicate project outcomes to large ruminant stakeholders in target areas (Objective 3)
A second farmer knowledge survey was conducted in October 2010 and showed a significant increase in farmer knowledge since the first survey in 2008 in the HI villages; whereas the farmer knowledge remained about the same in the LI villages. The average knowledge scores were 9.5 and 9.0 in 2008 in the LI and HI villages respectively compared to 11.9 and 28.4 in the LI and HI villages in 2010. These results indicate that the project's training methods consisting of (a) formal farmer training, (b) on the job training and (c) training by project team's regular visits was successful in addressing knowledge gaps. However the second survey also indicated that there are still areas (i.e. internal parasites) where farmer knowledge remains low.
Improve the knowledge of the cattle supply chain and key drivers for change in the targeted communities (Objective 4)
The initial trader survey completed in September 2009 showed that traders assessed prices by assessing BCS and general appearance and that transportation and slaughter costs were considered impediments to trade by the traders. Traders wanted to see the establishment of three main markets to help overcome the price differentials they received for meat sold versus the price they paid for livestock. These markets are a domestic market; a market on the Cambodian- Vietnamese border, and a market for skins.
A workshop attended by trader sand farmers was held at Tameo Breeding Station in June 2010. Farmers and traders visually assessed animals to estimate both body weight and BCS. Electronic scales were then used to determine the actual weight and comparison was made to a girth tape weight. In some cases the trader's estimates was only marginally out (3 - 4 percent) but in other cases the trader underestimated the weight of the animals by as much as 24 percent. The flow on implications of this error may translate to a potential loss of income for the farmer (or gain if the trader overestimates the weight). Overall lighter animals resulted in a higher variance between the estimated and actual weights.
Capacity building
The workshop series on large ruminant health and production topics developed for a parallel project in Laos (AH 2006/159) has been adapted for Cambodian project staff. A 3-day large biosecurity workshop was held in December 2010 attended by 20-25 DAHP staff and project staff involved in other large ruminant projects. This was supported by the Crawford Fund.
The AusAid Australian Leadership Award fellowship program "'Strengthening Animal Health and Production Capacities, Cambodia and Lao PDR" granted in 2009, enabled the Cambodian project leader to attend a leadership and management residential as part of the UoS VPHMgt program, plus visit various institutions involved in cattle production. The visits included dairy, export slaughter house and feedlot, veterinary faculties and laboratories and occurred in February 2011.
Three PhD students from the Royal Academy of Cambodia finalised their projects in the areas of ruminant nutrition, FMD and HS. Tragically, Mr Eang Savoeun, the student who had worked on HS, died unexpectedly shortly after completion of his thesis in June 2011.

The issue of scale has become paramount for the effective evaluation of watershed development (WSD) programs. This study examines the effectiveness of WSD at meso-scale (1500-10000hectares) in Anantapur and Prakasam districts in Andhra Pradesh. The project enjoys the active support of the AP Department of Rural Development (DRD).
The project has taken the first steps to providing an integrated evaluation model including hydrologic, agronomic, environmental, economic and social equity issues. It is designed to have a number of stand alone input models and to deal with scale from the household to the village and through to the broader watershed scale. The full structure of the model can be obtained from the project team (geoff [dot] syme [at] ecu [dot] edu [dot] au). This model will guide future research and will be iteratively revised as our understanding of the multifaceted, interactive processes evolves and data collection and analysis continues.
Data are currently being gathered of watershed variables in the area, land use, groundwater and surface water resources, population characteristics and so on. A community survey has been prepared to establish WSD outcomes in terms of physical, natural, social, human and financial capitals, and how these change over time in response to climate variability and other drivers. The questionnaire is also designed to assess community resilience and address perceptions of equity and scale.

A] Socio-Economic Progress
Technical and socioeconomic pilots (intensive and extensive field visits) have been conducted in identified or selected districts of Kurnool, Anantapur and Prakasam districts. Two hydrological units were identified for the study. The sample villages were identified in each hydrological unit for carrying out the detailed socioeconomic and livelihood survey. Three program villages and one control village from each unit have been identified i.e., a total of 8 villages spreading over three districts (Table 1).
Villages have been selected at the Upstream; Mid-stream and Down-stream and a matching control village has been selected (Table 2). Qualitative and quantitative tools have been developed- Focus Group Discussions and a survey. Two questionnaires (one at the village level and the other at the household level) have been developed.
The field Instruments were piloted and revised to suit the integrated model and the socioeconomic data. Qualitative information was elicited using the Focus group discussions - four FGDs in each village i.e., a total of 24 FGDs The first round of data collection has been completed in all the sample villages covering 566 households. Data entry is complete.
[B] Hydrology and Land Use
Data on general information, land use, number of water harvesting structures, bore-well water levels and discharge volume, daily rainfall and crop water budgeting for the villages of the selected Hydrological Unit Networks has been procured from the NGO - BIRDS.
NGRI team has just completed the fieldwork at Prakasam and the Anantapur watershed. This included a complete well inventory, water level measurements as well as geophysical logging in the abandoned wells, interviewing people about the scenarios from the
last 15-20 years. The same data has been collected from the second watershed in Gooty. The pre-monsoon (minimum) groundwater levels have been collected and the post-monsoon (maximum) groundwater levels will be collected during the last part of this year. The team is working with DEEPA to clarify apparent data anomalies. Preliminary crop and water use data suitable for the Bayesian Network modelling has been collected.

[C] Integrated Outcomes
An integrated model is being developed that will incorporate crop production and water use and hydrological (surface water and groundwater) models in addition to knowledge gained from extensive household surveys in villages in two case study catchments. The integrated model is expected to link hydrology models with seasonal outputs from crop models. The outputs from the hydrology and crop model feed into socio-economic models together with relevant socio-economic data for the villages. Measures of equity and resilience will be developed to assess differences in outcomes between villages (e.g. upstream, downstream) and within villages (e.g. income groups, gender, land ownership, etc) and changes that over the modelled time period in response to (e.g.) hydrology scenarios. A schematic of the links and scale of the model components is shown below

The project Improving Rainfed Rice/Livestock Farming Systems in Northeast Thailand focuses on improving the reliability of rice-based farming systems in Mahasarakham Province in Northeast Thailand, one of the poorest parts of Thailand. In a region that suffers from low soil fertility, salinity and acidity, the major sources of income are rice grown under rain-fed lowland conditions and cattle rearing.
Labour constraints (a combination of a lack of labour and the associated increase cost in hiring labour) have caused a shift from transplanted rice to rice grown by direct seeding; leading to difficulties in the control of weeds and the management of the crop and soil. Grain yields in much of NE Thailand are well below their potential yields. In relation to helping improve cattle production, World Vision's ADPs (Area Development Programs) have provided support for financial systems to assist smallholders purchase beef cattle and better utilise areas that are unsuitable for rice production. However, the potential to improve incomes through increased cattle production has not been fully tapped due to failure to exploit the potential to enhance nutrition through the full utilization of improved forages, combined with a poor understanding of improved livestock management practices tailored to the poor soils that prevail in much of NE Thailand.
Through a partnership between World Vision (WV), Khon Kaen University (KKU) and strategic inputs from international scientists, this project aims to better utilise and, in some instances refine, the knowledge gained in earlier ACIAR supported projects with a focus on agricultural production in NE Thailand. The project aims to further develop the capacity of World Vision agriculturalists to work within the context of a participatory research paradigm with farmer groups. It will also provide opportunities for postgraduate students attached to the Faculty of Agriculture within KKU, to undertake the research component of their degree studies on problems in the project target area, work more closely with communities and thereby foster the development of their extension and community participatory skills. Within the context of the project, farmers will be assisted in exploring a range of options for improving rice and cattle production through existing associations and marketing cooperatives established under the ADP.
Project activities have initially centred around five sub-districts (Na Si Nuan, Mek Dam, Nong Bua, Lan Sa Ka and Pa La Ane) that comprise the Na Si Nuan World Vision Area Development Program (ADP) in Payakhamphun-Pisai District of Mahasarakham Province in Northeast Thailand.
Since commencement in March 2008, the project team has worked closely with target farmers to introduce and demonstrate new agro-technologies application and practices. It has focused on improving the reliability of the rice-based farming system and improving incomes by increasing cattle production through improvement of livestock management practices.
Given the problems associated with broadcast seeding, work has centered around establishing models on row seeding in order to demonstrate its effectiveness in terms of greater yield, weed management, and reduced seed requirement for planting. Some early trials have also been undertaken to assess the potential for second cropping with grain legumes early and late in the wet-season (before and after the main wet-season rice crop).planting as an extra source of income as well as a means of replenishing nitrogen levels in the soil. An improved blast resistant non-glutinous aromatic rice variety (RD33) developed by the Thai Rice Development is also being assessed in the project area in the 2009 wet-season.
With regard to livestock production, a number of forages were trialled in an effort to research and demonstrate the most appropriate forage grasses to be planted in north-eastern Thailand. The project is also in the early stages of comparing the fattening rates of cattle which have been feed with grown forage compared to those which graze on natural grasses.
In April 2008 a benchmark socio-economic survey was conducted in the area of the project, as a basis for measuring the future impact of the project. The survey was undertaken in the five sub-districts that are part of World Vision Foundation of Thailand's Payakhumpun Pisai Area Development Program (ADP). Although the initial focus of the RLFS Project is on four sub-districts, it was agreed that the project survey should cover the five sub-districts of the ADP, to compliment separate surveys of WVFT which generally have a more humanitarian focus. Khon Kaen University had a substantial involvement in the development of the survey questionnaire, while household interviews were primarily conducted by RLFS Project Staff and other WVFT collaborators.
Four recently-recruited World Vision project staff who are assisting with the implementation of the project and who are recent graduates from the Faculty of Agriculture in Khon Kaen University (KKU), have been supported for masters degree studies at KKU under the commemorative Jonathan Treagust fellowships being supported through the project.
As it is still in the early stages of implementation, with only one wet-season of farmer collaborative activities, it is still too early to assess the potential longer term impact of project initiatives. However, early evidence indicates that farmers are very interested in the technologies being assessed for improving rice and livestock production in the project area. The very close collaborative links that have been established among the different partners in the project can be expected to maximize the potential for longer-term impact of the project in the immediate project area, and in other parts of northeast Thailand with similar production environments.

Exceptional weather conditions in north-east Thailand during the past 12 months forced the project to make significant adjustments to its planned activities. In particular, the technologies being evaluated for direct seeding and weed management could not be assessed as thoroughly as had been intended.

The bulk of the work on improving livestock production revolved around demonstrating the production of a range of forage grasses. However, some work was also conducted on livestock health and on cattle fattening techniques, such as comparing ad libitum feeding to the conventional practice of cattle fattening. With support from Khon Kaen University and the project advisory team, the project collected data to compare cattle growth using the recommended improved technologies with that of traditional techniques.

For rice production, the project provided two varieties of seed - KDML-105 and RD33 - to enable farmers to compare the two varieties and decide on which of the two were most appropriate to their circumstances. Other activities included the growing of legumes and trials of the effects of a variety of fertilizer on yield. Demonstrations were held to show the impact on yield of incorporating Bentonite clay into sandy soil.

However, work on aligning broadcast seeds into rows to reduce weed ingress was not able to go ahead as planned due to the heavy early rains. High rainfall at beginning of the wet-season made broadcast seeding of crops impractical (usually up to 80% of the area cropped to rice is usually broadcast seeded), and prolonged transplanting (over more than 2 months in most areas) had to be adopted. Further, the high rainfall early in the season resulted in weeds being a less significant problem than in 'average' years (water-filled paddy fields and related saturated soils were unsuited to weed ingress and growth).

Studies on alternative production systems and weed management will need to continue in years with more typical rainfall conditions in order to carry out a proper evaluation of potential improvements to production and management technologies.

The target farmers for this operating year included families of sponsored children in Nasinuan ADP as well as other households expressing an interest in participating in the project. Project implementation has been expanded into 8 target villages of 4 sub-districts and is expected to continue to increase in scale during the final period.

The activities of the first four months of the project, were advertising of positions, recruitment of the project manager and most importantly, finalisation of the list of sweet potato varieties to be used in the project. The initial 16 varieties to be used for the trials were transported to the National Agriculture Research Institute (NARI)-Bubia from Kerevat and multiplied for the project. At this time, the Program coordinator, Dr. Henderson, was also involved in the sharing of the proposal with collaborators as awareness for the new project.

The project office was established in August 2004 when the Project manager took up office followed by interviews then recruitment of the rest of the project staff in September 2004. After orientation, in September 2004 and allocation of staff (Field Extension Technicians - FETs) to their respective project areas, the FETs and Project manager attended a training at NARI-Bubia (see Training section for details). The staff returned from the training and continued to firm up the multiplication sites for the first phase. While confirming sites and accommodation, all FETs had hands on-training in reading and interpreting field layouts. They participated in the squaring of trials sites and establish in lines for preparation of mounds in one site - Ambarina in Ambenop LLG. Most FETs are fresh out of college and it was important that they gained this practical knowledge so that they could apply it in their respective sites.

With sites confirmed, planting of the first phase of the multiplication started in November 2004. All data collection for this phase was completed in January 2005 and site selection, land preparation then planting of the second phase multiplication took place in February 2005. The second phase multiplication was to obtain sufficient material for the Technician Controlled on-farm trials (TCOFT). The project has now started with the planting of the first TCOFT and will complete the planting by May 2005. 14 researcher varieties and 2 farmer varieties are being used in the TCOFT.

In the last year, training workshops have taken place as reported in the training section of the report and the project has had several visitors. To date, the World Vision Australia Team Leader, John Donnelly, visited the project in early October 04 followed by a one day visit by Dr Mike Bourke in November 2004 then in March 2005 (officially). Mr Elick Guaf from NARI has also visited the project frequently. During Mr Donnelly's visit, the first Steering committee meeting was held and during Mike Bourke's visit, the second Steering committee meeting was held. In both meetings, the trials strategy of the project was discussed and in the second meeting, the following was confirmed and is being implemented:

Use of 2 standard farmer varieties.
Delay of the taste panel from the multiplication phase to TCOFT so that enough planting material is available.
Reduction of the number of trial sites from 10 per multiplication site to 6, resulting in the total of 72 trial sites and not 120 to allow better supervision of all sites
Increase in the number of varieties to be tested from 5 to 16 so that farmers have ample opportunity to evaluate all 16 varieties.
Use of one guard-row around the whole trial rather than one around each variety to reduce the amount of area required.
A 'time of harvest' trial to be conducted by the Project manager to establish the optimal time of harvest as varieties mature at different times

The project has also had visits from the management of World Vision in Port Moresby with the Program coordinator making several visits. Visitors also included staff from Queensland Department Primary Industries (QDPI) and NARI as reported elsewhere in the report and Dr. Ken Menz of ACIAR who visited our Dumpu and Rai Coast High school sites in March together with Dr. Henderson. . During the visit by the team from QDPI and ACIAR, the Madang Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (ALF) Chief and his assistant were present and visited all sites including Dumpu and Rai Coast High school.

To date the World Vision FE&MSP project has a total of 4 motorbikes, a bicycle, a 19 ft speedboat and a 40HP motor.

Lastly, the agreement with our collaborators, NARI and World Vision-Australia had been signed in the initial phase of the project and the staff of the collaborating organisations, continue to work towards achieving the goals and the objectives of the project.

The current Sweet Potato Farmer Evaluation and Multiplication Project operates in six lowland areas of Madang province, Papua New Guinea (PNG). The objective of the project is to evaluate and disseminate appropriate sweet potato varieties to the rural farming sector along the North Coast of PNG. The project has selected 16 different varieties, with the assistance of the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI), that are been trailed at approximately 72 technician-controlled sites during both the wet and dry season. Additionally, the project is also conducting four sequential trials to determine optimum harvesting time for all 16 varieties.

The project's progress and direction continues to be set by the Steering Committee Meeting held each quarter. The last one, held in March, was attended by Dr. Sally Henderson, Elick Guaf (NARI), Abner Valu (NARI), project staff, farmers, Dr. Michael Bourke and Jonathan Treagust (WVA project officer). This meeting was particularly important for the next stage of the project, the Farmer Controlled trials. During this stage more than 250 farmer controlled trials will occur in both wet and dry season conditions to generate a list of high yielding sweet potato varieties appropriate for individual lowland conditions. The farmers' evaluation of these varieties will be recorded and collated.

The project has now generated significant amounts of data on yield for each cultivar for both wet and dry season. The majority of this data has not been fully analyzed. By the end of the first Technician Controlled trial, it was apparent that a number of varieties were clearly yielding well below expected levels and a number of varieties (K 142, MAS 2, L 942, L 46) gave consistently low yields (4 - 6 t/ha). This helped demonstrate that sweet potato has a more prominent 'genotype by environment' interaction than was originally anticipated.

One variety (SI 85) produced well at all six areas where the project is working. The mean yield for SI 85 across all 51 trials for which data were available was 15 tonnes/hectare. This is a reasonably good yield for lowland conditions. The mean yield of five other varieties (FV 2, FV 1, B 11, L 781, and SI 108) was also good (10-12 t/ha). One variety (KAV 61) gave very poor yields at all sites (mean less than 2 t/ha). Another four varieties (K 142, MAS 2, L 942, L 46) gave consistently low yields (4-6 t/ha). For many varieties, there is a marked Genotype by Environment interaction, that is, they performed well at some sites, but only moderately well or poorly at other sites.

Results of the second Technician Controlled trial have yet to be compiled or analysed.

Project progress to-date:
Harvest of Technician-Controlled-on-Farm Trial (TCOFT) two, April - September year 2006 period:
All data from TCOFT inputted and analyzed. Results corresponded closely to TCOFT one
From 14 varieties, four (plus two Farmer Controls) were high yielding, with SI85 still rating the best
Harvesting also occurred on the additional Sequential Trial
Participatory Technology Development (PTD) field days were held at each of the six sites to prepare farmers for second stage and involve them in criteria selection
Waput Women's group also took part in two PTDs showing other women how to prepare sweet potato in different ways
A Sweet Potato Recipe Leaflet was also distributed at the six PTDs
Planting of Farmer-Controlled-on-Farm Trial (FCOFT) series one was delayed until July - October 2006, because of farmers' reluctance to plant during unusually dry weather:
20 trials were planted in each of the 6 locations (120 trials in total), but data from only 60 farmer trials was collected
Approximately 13 trials out of 120 were destroyed by pigs and a further three were infested by sweet potato weevils
Data has been entered but not analysed for FCOFT 1
FCOFT two was planted during January - March 2007 period:
Plant growth has been vigorous due to the high rainfall during this period, resulting in earlier tuberisation and thus increased theft
Long Island was added to the trials for the first time during FCOFT two
The varieties planted have shown resistance/tolerance to water logging except for DOY2 and L46.

Additional events:
ACIAR International Sweet Potato Conference facilitated by the Project Manager in mid June 2006
Four Care Centres house 9,923 displaced people from the Manam Volcanic eruption and World Vision helps coordinate each site. Staff from the project, along with staff from the Provincial Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (DALF) were involved in a week-long survey of the status of food supply in these centres
The Sweet Potato project has distributed up to 51,000 pieces of planting material to the Manam Care Centres, and helped to establish multiplication plots
The Sweet Potato project also links in with the Livelihood Support Project that World Vision runs in each Care Centre
Mr. David Brown, formerly of Queensland DPI&F ,joined the project as a full-time Agricultural Advisor. He will assist with the writing of the final report and the compilation of project data
The project initiated the World Vision stall for the National Disability Day. The field staff mounted posters of work done in different districts, conducted cooking demonstrations and displayed vines and tubers of different sweet potato varieties.

Progress of report writing:
The Agriculture Advisor has completed a draft version of the final report with the consultant's assistance.

All Steering Committee meetings were held as planned.

The original FE&MSP Project supported by ACIAR ended in November 2007. During the 3 year project, with the assistance of NARI, the project selected 16 different varieties that were then trialled at approximately 142 technician controlled sites during both wet and dry season. Two varieties were then discarded and the remaining 14 varieties (which included two farmer controls) were tested in approximately 350 farmer controlled trials, again during both the wet and dry season. Data was collected from over 120 trials. The farmers' evaluation of these varieties has been recorded and collated, generating a list of farmer criteria for the adoption of new varieties. In addition, the project also conducted four sequential trials to determine optimum harvesting time for all 16 varieties.
The one year extension of the Project allows for completion around the analysis and interpretation of technical data resulting from the above trials. It also provides an extended period of time to improve dissemination of findings and linkages with other projects and partners. Additionally, the extension provides the time to collate and share all of the above through both the workshop and final technical report.

Progress on Outcomes:
Outcome 1
Six Farmer Focus days were completed with all the qualitative results compiled and written up. Farmers were asked both agronomy and sensory questions. The initial findings (that will be fully incorporated in to the final report) indicate that women's preference for varieties is not significantly different from men's. In order of importance the agronomic characteristics farmer rate sweet potato on are: tuber size, smooth skin, number of tubers, skin colour and tuber shape. Sensory criteria show a preference for sweet tubers, followed by firm flesh, good taste, soft flesh and non-fibrous content. It would seem that firm flesh is preferred when sweet potato is boiled, and soft flesh for when it is cooked in an open fire. Annex 1 presents some of the findings.
Outcome 2
With the generous support and assistance of Bob Mayer from Queensland Department of Primary Industry, the analysis of research data has started again. During April it was found that much of the data needed to be cleaned and presented differently for accurate analysis. For example, the original Technical Controlled on Farm Trials (TCOFT) data did not include an estimate for the weight of tubers damaged by rot, rats, weevils or beetles. When these are incorporated, yield of the best varieties increase by between 21 and 31 percent. Annex 2 shows that overall, there is a 23% yield increase when including an average of all the damaged materials. This is particularly high for TCOFT#1 because the crop was left too long before harvesting, and because it was the wet season.
The project tried to send planting material to Kerevat, where the material has originated from, to conduct a side-by-side trial. It was anticipated that the trial would reveal if the planting material from Madang had picked up a high viral load during the last three years. However, the virus load was so high, experts at the NARI Kerevat site were unable to clean the material. While this means the Output is not able to be conducted, it does conclude that viruses in Madang province are much higher than originally anticipated - and this is the most likely explanation for low yields.
Outcome 3
The Final Lessons Learned Workshop was held on 12-14 May. Preparation began for the workshop in November and December, with a reflection process to capture the themes that would be discussed. Seven key thematic areas were selected for the Lessons Learned event. These were:
Community entry - selecting the project locations, communities and farmers
Awareness and project start up - a community perspective
Planning and implementation - from World Vision's side
Farmer Participation
Data collection
Distribution of planting material
Participatory Technology Development
In addition to these areas, a number of guest speakers were invited to the workshop to present on a range of other sweet potato projects. These included; the Orange Sweet Potato Varieties project in Solomon Islands, the NARI on farm trials and the Queensland Department of Primary Industries own work on multiplication of sweet potatoes. Presentations were also given on the preliminary findings of the FE&MSP project.
For dissemination of planting material to the wider community, nearly 800 direct farmers have received planting material. An estimated 1,400 have subsequently received material from these farmers.

Year 2
Progress to September 2003
Vietnam
The rodent control component has successfully demonstrated that the community level trap-barrier system (CTBS) for controlling rodents is viable and economic. While it is still to be seen whether farmers are willing to pay for the establishment and maintenance of the system, early indications are that in locations of reasonable community cohesion there should be no problem with a user-pays approach. The component has been asked by provincial authorities to expand the CTBS to all districts in the province. The technology has been packaged and the potential is there for WV to expand its application to all its Area Development Programs in Vietnam. CARE International has prepared a CD of the integrated rodent system for widespread distribution.

The soil fertility improvement component has clearly demonstrated significant yield benefits of changing fertiliser practice and variety selection in peanut production of infertile sandy soil. The component has involved about 200 farmers in the target area, and has the potential to continue identifying improved crop management techniques.
Thailand
Agricultural reform to prevent agrochemical pollution of water resources (southern Thailand):
The project'€™s operation has been successful in bringing awareness to the vegetable farmers the dangers of using chemicals in vegetable growing. Presently, the farmers have better understanding that the chemicals are harmful to their health as well as to the consumers. Thus, they have tried using various methods to improve their production process by soil management, setting water system prior to planting, revolving planting different plants (plant rotation) to improve soil, using organic fertilisers, etc. Although they have not been able to stop using chemicals entirely, they have greatly reduced its use. More than 1,000 farmers in Chian Yai district, Nakhon Si Thammarat province have benefited from the knowledge they received from the project through training, study tours and the dissemination of publication documents. The two hundred members of the '€œchemical-free vegetable producer'€™s fund'€ under the supervision of World Vision Chian Yai Agricultural Cooperatives will be able to grow and carry out the work in a sustainable manner.
High-value low-chill temperate fruits for hill areas of northern Thailand:
Public interest for the project grew and popular involvement increased steadily, most evidently in 2003. This was offset by low prices of fruits produced due to their native origin, which means high vulnerability to local pests and the decline in productivity. Replacement of traditional fruits with peaches of good breed was introduced by the project as a way-out, hence ameliorating the problem and promising farmers a hope of better yields. This was collaboration between the project and Chiang Mai Royal Agriculture Research Centre. A team of ACIAR officers visited the project in the previous year, educating farmers in techniques of pruning and tending of fruits which the project has sought to promote.
Profitable fish farming through utilisation of low cost feeds (NE Thailand):
By June 2003, centres for training and demonstration in fish farming emerge in 2 target sub districts namely Kok Sa-ard sub district in Prasart district, Surin and Hnong Na Kam sub district in Muang district, Udornthani to disseminate knowledge and provide consultancy with regard to fish farming. Activities by the centres are continuous and efficient, with cooperation of governmental agencies, educational institutions and community organizations in these sub districts, aiming primarily at promoting the use of appropriate technology and cost reduction. By June 2003, fish farming is extended to and adopted by 500 families in both target subdistricts. The project is now embarking successfully upon the preparation and extension of fish farming for self-sufficient livelihood to new areas of project expansion.
Improving crop yields in rainfed rice-based systems in central and southern districts of Laos):
As a result of the dry crop season training farmers are now able to grow dry season crops for consumption and for sale. In total, according to government counterpart reports 1663 kg of crops were grown between Jan and March with a total retail value of 3,989,000 kip (approx 360 USD). In the second half of this reporting period peanuts, green beans and wheat had also been planted and total crops harvested totalled 567 kg with a value of 625,000 kip (60USD). Following the wet season training and seed distribution it was noticed that the farmers were working hard to use the lessons learnt in their training. By the end of June all the farmers who received seeds from the project had completed sowing using approximately 85% technically correct method.

Year 2
Progress to September 2003
Vietnam
The rodent control component has successfully demonstrated that the community level trap-barrier system (CTBS) for controlling rodents is viable and economic. While it is still to be seen whether farmers are willing to pay for the establishment and maintenance of the system, early indications are that in locations of reasonable community cohesion there should be no problem with a user-pays approach. The component has been asked by provincial authorities to expand the CTBS to all districts in the province. The technology has been packaged and the potential is there for WV to expand its application to all its Area Development Programs in Vietnam. CARE International has prepared a CD of the integrated rodent system for widespread distribution.

The soil fertility improvement component has clearly demonstrated significant yield benefits of changing fertiliser practice and variety selection in peanut production of infertile sandy soil. The component has involved about 200 farmers in the target area, and has the potential to continue identifying improved crop management techniques.
Thailand
Agricultural reform to prevent agrochemical pollution of water resources (southern Thailand):
The project's operation has been successful in bringing awareness to the vegetable farmers the dangers of using chemicals in vegetable growing. Presently, the farmers have better understanding that the chemicals are harmful to their health as well as to the consumers. Thus, they have tried using various methods to improve their production process by soil management, setting water system prior to planting, revolving planting different plants (plant rotation) to improve soil, using organic fertilisers, etc. Although they have not been able to stop using chemicals entirely, they have greatly reduced its use. More than 1,000 farmers in Chian Yai district, Nakhon Si Thammarat province have benefited from the knowledge they received from the project through training, study tours and the dissemination of publication documents. The two hundred members of the "chemical-free vegetable producer's fund" under the supervision of World Vision Chian Yai Agricultural Cooperatives will be able to grow and carry out the work in a sustainable manner.
High-value low-chill temperate fruits for hill areas of northern Thailand:
Public interest for the project grew and popular involvement increased steadily, most evidently in 2003. This was offset by low prices of fruits produced due to their native origin, which means high vulnerability to local pests and the decline in productivity. Replacement of traditional fruits with peaches of good breed was introduced by the project as a way-out, hence ameliorating the problem and promising farmers a hope of better yields. This was collaboration between the project and Chiang Mai Royal Agriculture Research Centre. A team of ACIAR officers visited the project in the previous year, educating farmers in techniques of pruning and tending of fruits which the project has sought to promote.
Profitable fish farming through utilisation of low cost feeds (NE Thailand):
By June 2003, centres for training and demonstration in fish farming emerge in 2 target sub districts namely Kok Sa-ard sub district in Prasart district, Surin and Hnong Na Kam sub district in Muang district, Udornthani to disseminate knowledge and provide consultancy with regard to fish farming. Activities by the centres are continuous and efficient, with cooperation of governmental agencies, educational institutions and community organizations in these sub districts, aiming primarily at promoting the use of appropriate technology and cost reduction. By June 2003, fish farming is extended to and adopted by 500 families in both target subdistricts. The project is now embarking successfully upon the preparation and extension of fish farming for self-sufficient livelihood to new areas of project expansion.
Improving crop yields in rainfed rice-based systems in central and southern districts of Laos):
As a result of the dry crop season training farmers are now able to grow dry season crops for consumption and for sale. In total, according to government counterpart reports 1663 kg of crops were grown between Jan and March with a total retail value of 3,989,000 kip (approx 360 USD). In the second half of this reporting period peanuts, green beans and wheat had also been planted and total crops harvested totalled 567 kg with a value of 625,000 kip (60USD). Following the wet season training and seed distribution it was noticed that the farmers were working hard to use the lessons learnt in their training. By the end of June all the farmers who received seeds from the project had completed sowing using approximately 85% technically correct method.

Component 1 (Agricultural reform to prevent agrochemical pollution of water resources (southern Thailand):
The project's operation has been successful in bringing awareness to the vegetable farmers the dangers of using chemicals in vegetable growing. Presently, the farmers have better understanding that the chemicals are harmful to their health as well as to the consumers. Thus, they have tried using various methods to improve their production process by soil management, setting water system prior to planting, revolving planting different plants (plant rotation) to improve soil, using organic fertilisers, etc. Although they have not been able to stop using chemicals entirely, they have greatly reduced its use. Over 1,000 farmers in Chian Yai district, Nakhon Si Thammarat province have benefited from the knowledge they received from the project through training, study tours and the dissemination of publication documents. The two hundred members of the "chemical-free vegetable producers fund" under the supervision of World Vision Chian Yai Agricultural Cooperatives will be able to grow and carry out the work in a sustainable manner.

Component 2 (High-value low-chill temparate fruits for hill areas of northern Thailand):
Public interest for the project grew and popular involvement increased steadily, most evidently in 2003. This was offset by low prices of fruits produced due to their native origin, which means high vulnerability to local pests, and the decline in productivity. Replacement of traditional fruits with peaches of good breed was introduced by the project as a way-out, hence ameliorating the problem and promising farmers a hope of better yields. This was collaboration between the project and Chiang Mai Royal Agriculture Research Centre. A team of ACIAR officers visited the project in the previous year, educating farmers in techniques of pruning and tending of fruits which the project has sought to promote.

Component 3 (Profitable fish farming through utilisation of low cost feeds (NE Thailand):
By June 2003, centres for training and demonstration in fish farming emerge in 2 target sub districts namely Kok Sa-ard sub district in Prasart district, Surin and Hnong Na Kam sub district in Muang district, Udornthani to disseminate knowledge and provide consultancy with regard to fish farming. Activities by the centres are continuous and efficient, with cooperation of governmental agencies, educational institutions and community organizations in these sub districts, aiming primarily at promoting the use of appropriate technology and cost reduction. By June 2003, fish farming is extended to and adopted by 500 families in both target subdistricts. The project is now embarking successfully upon the preparation and extension of fish farming for self-sufficient livelihood to new areas of project expansion.

Component 4 (Rodent control in rice crops using IPM techniques in Bac Binh District, Vietnam):
Impact of the project until now:

Farmers in Bac Binh, Tuy Phong and Ham Thuan Bac district are now using TBS as the main rat control method as an environmental friendly and economical method. Rodenticide is now less used.
Rat abundance decreased significantly over the past there years after the introduction of the TBS method to the community in Bac Binh in other two districts of the province.
Technical staff of Bac Binh who are trained by scientists from CSIRO, IAS and NIPP can conduct training for farmers district-wide. These staff are also considered core trainer of TBS method who can provide training to other extension staff in other districts of the province.

Project achievements and experiences have been disseminated to plant protection departments at district and provincial level, World Vision Vietnam and World Vision partners, and NGOs and other relevant agencies, through brochures, newsletters, meetings, training workshops, study tours, and a CD_ROM published by CARE Vietnam.

Component 5 (improving soil fertility in Bac Binh District, Vietnam):
Impact of the project until now:
(a) For farmers:
Farmers know how to improve yield through adoption of appropriate trialbased fertilizer formula recommended by the National Institute of Soils and Fertilizers.
Farmers preferred using organic fertilizers (manure) to improve soil health and adoption of IPM techniques as an integral part of soil conservation process.
Farmers willing to conduct farmer-to-farmer extension to disseminate results and methods from successful trials to similar land area through on-farm workshop.
Farmers now establish extension clubs to encourage sharing of information and experience from farmer-based research activities.

(b) For district extension staff:
District Department of Agricultural and other line sub-departmentsenriched their knowledge base of local soil properties.
Knowing methods of soil testing (rate trials and omission trials) commonly used to identify nutrient limitation in soil for a particular type of crop.
Have a bettering understanding of GIS-based land appraisal technology which is used to identify potential land areas for a particular type of crop through pilot testing of soil and production of a Land Suitability Map for Hoa Thang - a costal, sandy commune.

Component 6 (improving crop yields in rainfed rice-based systems in central and southern districts of Laos):
As a result of the dry crop season training farmers are now able to grow dry season crops for consumption and for sale. In total, according to government counterpart reports 1663 kg of crops were grown between Jan and March with a total retail value of 3,989,000 kip (approx 360 USD). In the second half of this reporting period peanuts, green beans and wheat had also been planted and total crops harvested totaled 567 kg with a value of 625,000 kip (60USD).

Following the wet season training and seed distribution it was noticed that the farmers were working hard to use the lessons learnt in their training. By the end of June all the farmers who received seeds from the project had completed sowing using approximately 85% technically correct method.

Jan-Jun 04 Ag Reform Component 1

1. PROJECT OBJECTIVES
To develop the quality of life of farmers and consumers in order to improve farmers' health, and provide produce free from excessive chemical residues or bacteria. In the longer-term to more sustainably manage soil and water resources used for horticulture. Specific objectives during the project extension phase are
1. To improve product packaging and postharvest storage across project implementing areas and to disseminate on vegetable production across a wider area.
2. To improve the irrigation systems for participating farmers to efficiently distribute water.
3 To provide more understanding of marketing systems to participating farmers.

2. PROGRESS SUMMARY
The Prevention of Agrochemical Pollution of Water Resources project demonstrated that a substantial decrease in the use of agro-chemicals was possible in vegetable production in key watershed areas of the Songkhla Basin without adversely affecting economic viability. The project reached a large number of direct beneficiary families (510), and an even larger audience of indirect beneficiaries. The project has provided training for extension workers. With the continued support of Prince of Songkhla University, and the increased involvement of the government extension services, the number of beneficiaries was as listed below:

Farmers Trained: 1,850
Group Members: 510
Secondary Beneficiaries (estimate): 1,500
Expansion Potential (estimate): 5,000

The income estimate of average annual household at 36,000 Baht or AUD 1,440, the project cost represents around 15 % of household income on an annual basis over three years (2001-2003)

Jan-Jun 04 Fish Component 3

1. PROJECT OBJECTIVES
The project, which aims to improve fish farming through utilization of low-cost feeds in the NE region of Thailand has three main objectives as follows:
To establish a demonstration and training centre in two target areas
To expand the fish farming activities to 500 families
To expand the activities into new target areas

2. PROGRESS SUMMARY
The purpose of the fish farming through utilization of low-cost feeds is to improve the productivity and sustainability of fish farming systems under the conceptual framework of innovative resource management approaches, utilization of raw materials available in the locality for cost reduction, and maximization of benefits for target groups through collaboration with the government and private sectors as well as community organizations and the people.

Project highlights during the period included:

Development of training curriculum for fish farming
Production runs of fish feeds at different protein levels, for evaluation and use in other provinces
Promotion of fish farming in extended area
Demonstration of fish raising in floating baskets ('Kra-chang').
Improvement of equipment for production of fish feed
The cooperative was proposed for government registration as an agriculture cooperative
Development of fish farming fund (micro-credit scheme) in the project areas

Jul-Dec 04 Ag Reform Component 1

1. PROJECT OBJECTIVES
To develop the quality of life of farmers and consumers in order to improve farmers' health, and provide produce free from excessive chemical residues or bacteria. In the longer-term to more sustainably manage soil and water resources used for horticulture. Specific objectives during the project extension phase are
1. To improve product packaging and postharvest storage across project implementing areas and to disseminate on vegetable production across a wider area.
2. To improve the irrigation systems for participating farmers to efficiently distribute water.
3 To provide more understanding of marketing systems to participating farmers.

2. PROGRESS SUMMARY
World Vision Foundation in Thailand has been financially supported by ACIAR for 2 years for the first phase of the project, which aimed to reduce agrochemical pollution in the area of Kuan Niang, Songkhla province, and Chien Yai district, Nakorn Srithammarat province. It was agreed that the project be extended to promote safe vegetable growing among the farmers in other areas in Southern Thailand where World Vision Foundation of Thailand (WVFT) was active, as these areas have the same economic and social problems as Kuan Niang area. Farmers in those areas still farm rice and coffee, using increasing levels of herbicide, pesticide and chemical fertilizers. Recently, many of the farmers in the areas moved to Phuket and Krabi province after the harvest season to take advantage of job opportunities. This project has shown that well-managed vegetable growing is a more profitable alternative in each WVFT implementing area (10 districts in 7 provinces). The project extension consists of 2 components - information dissemination for growing safe vegetables and putting new technologies into practice. The Prince of Songkhla University, Songkhla province has provided technical assistance and advice.

It is expected that within one year, there will be at least 300 new farmers, in the 10 areas, using the system of safe vegetable production developed in the project and 1,200 farmers receiving information on the system and realizing the danger of the inappropriate use of toxic substances in agriculture. There should be new jobs for 1,000 labourers and as a result the number of migrants can be reduced by 200 after the harvest season. Moreover, the system, the manual and dissemination materials will serve as a learning source that WVFT staff can use to promote and extending the results of this project in the future.

Jul-Dec 04 Fruit Component 2

1. PROJECT OBJECTIVES
To improve quality of life of one village in Huaychomphu subdistrict, Muang district, Chiangrai - Thailand, through holistic development that focuses on applying research findings on low-chill fruit tree production conducted by the Department of Agricultural Affairs, Ministry of Agricultural and Cooperatives and QDPIF.

2. PROGRESS SUMMARY
This project has been focusing on the promotion of low-chill fruit production in a village in Tambon Huaychompoo, which is Moo 7, Ban Pang Khon-Pang Takrai subdistrict. The operations in an extension phase are now in progress. The Department of Agriculture has developed and pilot-tested the viability of low-chill fruit production in highland areas of Northern Thailand. It also acts as a core agency in training and demonstrating various techniques of low-chill orchard management to target farmers through coordinating agencies.

Currently low-chill fruit trees in the demonstration plots grow rapidly and need to be pruned, so that they are in good shape and continue growing. The project thus purchased trimmers and other tools such as saws, and gave them to the Center for use in caring for low-chill fruit trees. The project has recruited students as trainees. They help to work in the field with getting rid of weeds, loosening the soil and visit area with the project staff to disseminate knowledge to the community. After 3 months of growing trees (Tropic beauty variety), the project used fertilizer formulas of (N-P-K) 15-15-15 and 46-0-0. The trees grew to 1 metre high.

An advisory team was formed during this period. Chiangmai Royal Research Institute, WV's partner in this project, gave advice regarding project implementation. WV and the Institute have had monthly meetings. The project implemented top working on 550 plants, changing from local nectarine varieties to better breeds using scions of Baan Luang Daeng and Gulf Ruby plum varieties. Vegetable growing demonstrations also took part in the low-chill fruit orchards, so that farmers could apply this to their individual orchards.

Jul-Dec 04 Fish Component 3

1. PROJECT OBJECTIVES
The project aims to improve fish farming through utilization of low-cost feeds in the NE region of Thailand. It has three main objectives as follows:
To establish a demonstration and training centre in two target areas
To expand the fish farming activities to 500 families
To expand the activities into new target areas

2. PROGRESS SUMMARY

The purpose of the utilization of low-cost feeds is to improve the productivity and sustainability of fish farming systems. Utilization of raw materials available in the locality will reduce costs, and maximise benefits for target groups through collaboration with the government, private sectors as well as community organizations. The project design is based on the following:
To provide a centre for vocational training and local knowledge exchange.
To encourage formation of occupational groups of target families and promote autonomy of such groups to accommodate their future operations.
To promote collaboration with related agencies to implement long-term problem-solving process
During this period, demonstrations were held at training centres in two target areas namely Khok Sa-ard sub district in Prasat district of Surin province and Hnong Nakham sub district in Muang district of Udon Thani province. These events disseminated educational techniques for fish farming in collaboration with extension services. The emphasis was on using proper technologies, cost reductions, and provision of best quality, affordable fish feed.

Jul-Dec 04 Rodents Component 4

1. PROJECT OBJECTIVES
The goal of the project is to assist farmers in Bac Binh district to protect rice crops from rodent damage, by using environmentally benign methods.

2. PROGRESS SUMMARY
The objective of this project, now in a short extension phase is to develop a user-friendly, field-based toolkit for extensionists and farmers to effectively establish and maintain the use of the Capture Trap Barrier System (CTBS). In addition, this extension will be used to expand the implementation of CTBS in Bac Binh from three communes (Phan Ri Thanh, Lu Son, S Luy) to six communes (Hai Ninh, Phan Thanh and S Binh), and to other four districts within Binh Thuan province (Tuy Phong, Ham Thuan Bac, Duc Linh, Tanh Linh). The implementation of CTBS will also be expanded to other World Vision Area Development Programs (ADPs) in other districts in Vietnam.

Jul-Dec 04 Soils Component 5

1. PROJECT OBJECTIVES
The extension phase of the project will seek to expand the culture of farmer learning in Bac Binh through the following objectives:
1. Consolidate and package knowledge on soil management gained during the first phase of the project (2001 to 2004)
2. Build the capacity of district and commune partners to further apply knowledge on soil management;
3. Engage an expanded number of local farmers to use recommended soil management techniques;
4. Pilot test appropriate water management technology.

The extension t will also coordinate closely with the work being done, mostly in Gia Lai province, on soil capability classification (LWR1/2002/085 "Using soil data for sustainable management of upland soils," January 2004 to December 2006). Any appropriate, field-based tools developed as a part of the soil capability classification will support the suite of soil management techniques available to farmers in Bac Binh.

2. PROGRESS SUMMARY
The overall aim of project is to help farmers in Bac Binh District, especially those who live in remote areas of the district, to have access to research results from completed ACIAR projects in the area of soil fertility. The project aims to help farmers understand and be able to identify soil type and assess the current nutrient status of the soil, participate in on-farm trials and identify ways to improve current soil fertility management to maintain and increase crop yield. The project also provides farmers with access to methods of improving soil quality of untapped less-favoured land area in order to help improve food security level at household level.

Jul-Dec 04 ICY Component 6

1. PROJECT OBJECTIVES
The goal of the project is to improve food crop yields in Central Laos, thus contributing to improved household food and economic security. The project's purpose is to improve local skills for extending and applying research output, to achieve increases in wet season food crop (particularly rice) production, using proven, low-input, sustainable technologies in these rice-based agricultural systems. At the same time farmers will be assisted to develop their dry-season crop production skills through training in crop production and soil management. This project has been extended to December 2006.

2. PROGRESS SUMMARY
The extension methodologies used by the project from the beginning will continue to be employed in the second phase. These methodologies revolve around a small number of farmers, 2 in each of 10 villages, who will establish guided demonstration plots on their land. Currently 10 villages in each district have benefited from the project. The total number of villages invited to participate in the project will be determined after consultation with each district, and after considering relative needs, resources (especially the irrigation water available), progress and capacity. The farmers have been trained in the technologies to be used and the protocols for establishing and managing the demonstration plots. A mix of both small (experimental size) and large plots (field scale) are used to demonstrate and compare the technologies such as new varieties and fertiliser input. Staff of the District Agriculture and Forestry Service Offices (DAFSO) will take primary responsibility for visiting and servicing the cooperating farmers (in mobile teams of two people); these staff will be supported by World Vision Laos (WVL) when necessary, together with inputs from Lao research staff attached to relevant Lao research agencies. Linkages will be further developed between extension and research at district, provincial and national levels. At the national level there will be representation of the National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute (NAFRI) and the National Rice Research Program. At the provincial Savannakhet-level there will be an important involvement of the Thasano Rice Research and Seed Multiplication Centre. Both of these organisations have taken part directly in related ACIAR projects and been key partners in the Lao-IRRI project. Important links will be maintained with the ACIAR Lao projects involve the School of Land and Food Sciences of the University of Queensland, together with direct consultative and technical inputs from the Brisbane-based former leader of the Lao-IRRI Project.

Jan-Jun 05 Ag Reform Component 1

1. PROJECT OBJECTIVES
To improve quality of life of farmers and consumers by reducing the amount of toxic agricultural chemicals used. In turn, this will also help prevent degradation of natural water resources and soil, maintaining the environmental and ecological balance.
1. Training of farmers on best practice by external instructors
2. Provision of an improved and greater capacity irrigation system
3. To educate farmers in marketing and the marketing systems

2. PROGRESS SUMMARY
This project is an extension of the Reduction of Chemicals in Farming Project implemented by WVFT in Southern Thailand, funded by ACIAR. The specific areas are: Kuan Niang District of Songkhla Province and Chien Yai District of Nakorn Sri Thammarat Province.

The extension involves training farmers on
environmentally friendly methods of farming, by reducing chemical usage. Most farmers in target areas grow rice as a staple food crop and coffee as a cash crop, relying heavily on expansive chemical herbicides, insecticides and fertilizers. The amount used by farmers is closely linked with yields and the price received for the cash crop. After the annual rice harvest and coffee picking season, jobs are scarce and farmers often migrate to urban centres to earn additional income.

This project not only looks at reducing expensive inputs - while maintaining yields - but also offers a vegetable growing program as an alternative to seeking work in the off-season. World Vision Foundation Thailand (WVFT) has built on existing programs and networks to offer this plan to 10 districts in 7 provinces in Southern Thailand. The project consists of two components; the provision of tools, equipment & educational materials and training of farmers to help implement chemical free alternative practices. The former is funded by ACIAR out of total budget of 975,000 Baht and the latter by WVFT itself with the budget of 1,190,000 Baht, while technical support and advice for the project comes mainly from Prince of Songkhla University in Songkhla Province.

Jan-Jun 05 Low Chill Fruit Component 2

1. PROJECT OBJECTIVES

To research the appropriateness of introducing Low Chill Fruit in Huay Chompu sub-district of Thailand. Low Chill Fruit could present an option for increased income while increasing farmer livelihoods, helping create more self-reliant communities in the far North of Thailand.

2. PROGRESS SUMMARY

Project Progress during January - June 2005

World Vision Foundation of Thailand (WVFT), in partnership with ACIAR, have supported and conducted research into low chill fruit production in Northern Thailand for four consecutive years. This project has been run together with technical and tree stock from Chiang Mai Royal Research Institute. Initially, demonstration areas were established in Ban Pany Khon, Huay Mae Liam, Pang Takrai and Huagy Kaew and peach and nectarine varieties were introduced at each site.

In 2005, the decision was made to reduce the demonstration plots to one area in Ban Pang Khon, in order to consolidate project objectives and goals in one manageable district. It was also determined that the project should include native plum varieties, in addition to peaches and nectarines. In addition to the introduction of fruit trees, the project also researched the other conditions and inputs required for production, including water use, fertilizer inputs, chemical spray and other management practices. The project has also identified a bean cover crop, suitable for ground cover between the fruit trees. By adapting and trial-ling different pruning approaches, the project has determined the optimum amount and style of pruning required for North Thailand conditions.

Jan-Jun 05 Fish Feeds Component 3

1. PROJECT OBJECTIVES
To promote profitable fish farming using appropriate technical methods to optimize existing feed products. An increased uptake of fish farming will enable communities to increase family income and self-sustainability.

2. PROGRESS SUMMARY

The project has disseminated knowledge and experiences gained from the low-cost fish raising for 1,009 agriculturists in the target, new expanded areas and areas outside the project. There was a demonstration of family fish raising in 415 plastic ponds and 45 commercial dirt ponds constructed. At the same time, there have been two network groups set up which is a group of selling fish meat comprising five members and two groups of processing food from fish with 17 group members.

Jan-Jun 05 Rodents Component 4

1. PROJECT OBJECTIVES
The goal of the project is to assist farmers in Bac Binh district to protect rice crops from rodent damage, by using environmentally benign methods.

2. PROGRESS SUMMARY
The objective of this project is to develop a user-friendly, field-based toolkit for extensionists and farmers to effectively establish and maintain the use of the CTBS to reduce crop damaged caused by rodents ( Community Trap Barrier System).

Jan-Jun 05 Soils Component 5

1. PROJECT OBJECTIVES

The goal of the project is to improve farmers knowledge of soils in the Bac Binh region through the following objectives:
1. Consolidate & package the soil management knowledge gained during the initial project period
2. Continue to build the capacity of district and commune partners on soil management
3. Engage an expanded number of local farmers to use improved soil management techniques
4. Pilot test appropriate water management technology.

This extension project will also coordinate closely with the work being done, mostly in Gia Lai province, on soil capability classification (LWR1/2002/085 "Using soil data for sustainable management of upland soils," January 2004 to December 2006). Any appropriate, field-based tools developed as a part of the soil capability classification will support the suite of soil management techniques available to farmers in Bac Binh.

2. PROGRESS SUMMARY

Bac Binh district in Southern Central part of Vietnam covers an agricultural area of some 38,000 ha. In this region there are many constraints for agricultural and forestry production, including the dry, hot season when less than 5mm rainfall a month is recorded for 5-6 months of the year. Strong wind also causes soil erosion and shifting sand, adding to soil degradation and desertification.
Agriculture still remains the main source of income for most of the minority groups such as the Cham, Raglay, K'Ho, Tay, Nung and Kinh groups. Despite local authority and agricultural extension initiatives, farmers still face difficulties managing low fertility soils which in turn produce low yields and reduce farmer's income.
Soil productivity is limited by the low organic matter in the soil and the low natural nutrition rate. While farmers are extremely knowledgeable of local constraints and conditions, they have a limited understanding of how to improve soil fertility, soil conservation and amelioration. Farmers are also constrained by limited resources and limited theoretical training, and often trapped by improper or non-sustainable practices. With these problems in mind, this project aims to carry out a soil survey and an evaluation to help farmers rebuild there capacity in agricultural production, improve their returns and increase their livelihoods.

Jan-Jun 05 ICY Component 6

1. PROJECT OBJECTIVES

The goal of the project is to improve food crop yields in Central Laos, thus contributing to improved household food and economic security. The project's purpose is to improve local skills for extending and applying research output, to achieve increases in wet season food crop (particularly rice) production, using proven, low-input, sustainable technologies in these rice-based agricultural systems. At the same time farmers will be assisted to develop their dry-season crop production skills through training in crop production and soil management. This project has been extended to December 2006.

2. PROGRESS SUMMARY

The extension methodologies used by the project from the beginning will continue to be employed in the second phase. These methodologies revolve around a small number of farmers, 2 in each of 10 villages, who will establish guided demonstration plots on their land. Currently 10 villages in each district have benefited from the project. The farmers have been trained in the technologies to be used and the protocols for establishing and managing the demonstration plots. A mix of both small (experimental size) and large plots (field scale) are used to demonstrate and compare the technologies such as new varieties and fertiliser input.

During this period, the project staff and counterpart staff followed up on crop demonstration activities and participated in training from 7 to 18 March at NARC National Agricultural Research Centre. Training covered rice and cash crop technology with 15 participants from 3 districts staff and farmer representatives. ICY meeting at NAFRI National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute held on 21 March 2005 by 13 participants : Siddhartha SAHU Operations Coordinator South , Dr John Schiller , Dr Monthatip , Dr Phoudalay , Dr Phoumi, Mr Kuang , World Vision staff and 3 district staff .The meeting discussed the selection of varieties for the 2005 weet season. The Thasano Rice Research and Seed Multiplication Center meeting was held on 22-23 March 2005 and the decision was made to target more Villages in the 3 districts plans were made for the rice seed .

During this period the following activities were implemented in these villages:
Meetings to review the 2005 wet season and plan for the future.
Training in rice and cash crop planting technology.
Monitoring dry season cash crop and vegetable cultivation activities.

Jul-Dec 05 Ag Reform Component 1

1. PROJECT OBJECTIVES

To improve quality of life of farmers and consumers by reducing the amount of toxic agricultural chemicals used. In turn, this will also help prevent degradation of natural water resources and soil, maintaining the environmental and ecological balance.
1. Training of farmers on best practice by external instructors
2. Provision of an improved and greater capacity irrigation system
3. To educate farmers in marketing and the marketing systems

2. PROGRESS SUMMARY

The Agricultural Reform project is funded by ACIAR and jointly implemented with World Vision Foundation of Thailand the University of Songkhla. The project seeks to reduce chemical usage in two main districts in Southern Thailand. The current project involves training rice and cash crop farmers on new methods growing that reduce the reliance on chemical herbicides, insecticides and fertilizers.

This project not only looks at reducing expensive inputs - while maintaining yields - but also offers a vegetable growing program as an alternative to seeking work in the off-season. World Vision Foundation Thailand has built on existing programs and networks to offer this plan to 10 districts in 7 provinces in Southern Thailand. The project consists of two components; the provision of tools, equipment & educational materials and training of farmers to help implement chemical free alternative practices.
Agricultural manuals have been published for string beans, sweet corn, Chinese cabbage, Chinese leaves, Manila pea, cucumber, chrysanthemum, angled loofah, chilli and onion. These have been distributed to farmers in ten target areas. Core farmers and WVFT staff have used CD ROMs to help teach more than 1,200 community farmers on chemical-free agriculture.

During this period, 40 sets of flip charts were produced and distributed to core farmers and project staff for use as PR materials and as manuals teaching methods of chemical-free agriculture, procedures, farming tools and likely pests. Core farmers gathered at the Safe Agriculture Assembly of Southern Thailand whose current members comprise chemical-free farmers from ten target areas under this project. Its role is to promote and propagate techniques of chemical-free agriculture and to secure loans for members in the long term. Research was also conducted, on natural pest controlling agents, by the project and the project advisor

Jul-Dec 05 Low Chill Fruit Component 2

1. PROJECT OBJECTIVES

To research the appropriateness of introducing Low Chill Fruit in Huay Chompu sub-district of Thailand. Low Chill Fruit could present an option for increased income while increasing farmer livelihoods, helping create more self-reliant communities in the far North of Thailand.

2. PROGRESS SUMMARY

World Vision Foundation of Thailand (WVFT), in partnership with ACIAR, have supported and conducted research into low chill fruit production in Northern Thailand for four consecutive years. The Chaiang Mai Royal Research Institute has provided both technical support and soft fruit tree stock. Demonstration plots were initially established in four locations: Ban Pany Khon, Huay Mae Liam, Pang Takrai and Huagy Kaew, and then scaled down to two primary, fenced plots. Peach and nectarine varieties were introduced at both of these sites.
During this period the project has continued the adoption of two pruning methods for each demonstration plot; namely open-centre and Palmette pruning. A monthly water and fertilizing program has been followed, as advised by the project advisor. Branch tilting has also occurred in both trial plots.

In addition to the trials on the demonstration sites, top grafting of trees to replace indigenous stock with high quality varieties (Ban Luang Daeng plums) has occurred on plots belonging to the 10 key farmers. Project staff continue to met with farmers twice monthly to discuss management and of individual and demonstration plots. At each meeting, farmers learn new skills, acquired new knowledge and can be advised on tree inter-cropping to supplement out-of-season income. Farmers can also seek additional agricultural support on a broader range of other issues.

To complement its general education on low chill fruit, the project distributed brochures containing low chill growing guidelines for member agriculturalists to study. These brochures were:
1. Peach and Nectarine growing manual
2. Plum growing manual
3. Chinese plum growing manual
Ten core farmers were taken to join training in low chill agronomy at the Chiang Mai Agriculture Research Centre, which has helped increase commitment and ownership of the project. The same core farmers are also engaged in managing and running the two demonstration sites.

Jul-Dec 05 Fish Feeds Component 3

1. PROJECT OBJECTIVES

To promote profitable fish farming using appropriate technical methods to optimize existing feed products. An increased uptake of fish farming will enable communities to increase family income and self-sustainability.

2. PROGRESS SUMMARY

1. A farming cooperative was established in each of Surin and Udon Thani provinces.
2. Raw materials such as crushed fish, soy starch, sugar starch, fine bran, free mixer and crushed corn were procured for group members. 18,800 KG (940 sacks) of 35-protein formula feeds for small fish were produced in Udon Thani . In Surin Province, production started at Kok Sa-ard District Centre for Development of Sustainable Development. Three recipes were produced, with 30%, 25% and 18% protein, to supply members of fish raising groups in the ADP, neighbouring ADPs and Praiburng ADP in Srisaket Province.
3. Four nursery ponds of 10 x 20 x 2.5 m and one pond of 10 x 15 x 2.5 m were dug for raising catfish and cross-sex tilapia fingerlings in Udon Thani Province.
4. In Udon Thani, sex-transformed nil tilapia fingerlings were bred by hatching fish spawn in cone-shaped equipment that was placed in circulating water. The spawn would grow into fingerlings within 3-4 days. Then fingerlings were fed with testosterone and crushed fish for at least 21 days and were moved to earth ponds where they would be nursed. This activity resulted in about 50,000 cross-sex nil tilapia fingerlings. Breeding of nil tilapia and catfish did not occur in Surin Province because of the drought. Cool temperatures will prevent breeding until February 2006.
5. A solar drying facility of 6 x 9 m was constructed at the Kok Sa-ard Sub-district Centre for Development of Sustainable Economy in Prasat District, Surin Province, to support fish feed production. Solar heat coming through the transparent glass cover of the house, minimises the humidity of feeds and accelerates the drying process.
6. In Udon Thani Province, two generations of agriculturalists (94) were trained in the techniques and technology of fish raising in plastic ponds (in Ban Chai Porn Village and Ban Don Had Village). After the training, each one dug a pond sized 2 x 4 metres x 70 centimetres at his/her home. Plastic sheeting and green nylon netting were provided but farmers purchased fingerlings and fish feed from the project. The participants were from:
Ban Chai Porn Village in Non Soong Sub-district, Muang District (40 persons)
Ban Don Had Village in Sma Prao Sub-district, Muang District (54 persons)
In Surin Province, the project, the Committee of the Occupation Development for projects in Hnongna Krong and Prasat Thanong Sub-districts and the Committee of Fish Raising Groups in Kok Sa-ard Sub-district, Prasat District, Surin Province jointly held training in fish raising techniques for 30 members of farmer groups from Prasat Thanong Sub-district, at Hnongna Krong Centre for Occupation Development, Prasat Thanong Sub-district, Prasat District, Surin Province on December 9-10, 2005. This training was accompanied by a field trip to study operations of fish raising groups in Kok Sa-ard Sub-district, Prasat District, Surin Province.
Participants in the training field trip were taught about techniques and procedures of fish raising, from identifying the right location to digging and preparing ponds, selecting fish breeds and fish raising itself.
7. Techniques of fish feed production were used to produce 23,190 Kg (773 sacks) of pig feed.
8. Three Demonstration and Training Centres were constructed:
Kok Sa-ard Sub-district Centre for Development of Sustainable Economy in Prasat District of Surin Province. This centre is run by its committee and the committee of World Vision Ruamjai Pattana Farming Cooperative and is servicing its members and target families in the area.
Centre for the Transfer of Fish Raising in Floating Basket Technology, which is administered and run by Hnongna Krong Occupation Development project in Prasat Thanong District, Surin Province and whose initial activities included demonstration in fish raising and training in fish raising, fish feeds production and production of fish products.
Ban Hnongwa Vocational Training Centre in Muang District, Udon Thani Province which serves as a demonstration and training facility for fish breeding, fish raising, fish feed production and other agricultural and job promotion activities.
In this six month period, the project expanded to adjacent Area Development Programs (ADPs), Sarng Kom ADP and Sri Boonrueng ADP, by marketing its feeds to fish raising groups in these areas and conducting training in fish raising and fish feed production for 25 farmers from Praiburng ADP.

Jul-Dec 05 Soils Component 5

1. PROJECT OBJECTIVES

The goal of the project is to improve farmers knowledge of soils in the Bac Binh region through the following objectives:
1. Consolidate & package the soil management knowledge gained during the initial project period
2. Continue to build the capacity of district and commune partners on soil management
3. Engage an expanded number of local farmers to use improved soil management techniques
4. Pilot test appropriate water management technology.

This extension project will also coordinate closely with the work being done, mostly in Gia Lai province, on soil capability classification (LWR1/2002/085 "Using soil data for sustainable management of upland soils," January 2004 to December 2006). Any appropriate, field-based tools developed as a part of the soil capability classification will support the suite of soil management techniques available to farmers in Bac Binh.

2. PROGRESS SUMMARY
Bac Binh district in Southern Central part of Vietnam covers an agricultural area of some 38,000 ha. In this region there are many constraints for agricultural and forestry production, including the dry, hot season when less than 5mm rainfall a month is recorded for 5-6 months of the year. Strong wind also causes soil erosion and shifting sand, adding to soil degradation and desertification.
Agriculture still remains the main source of income for most of the minority groups such as the Cham, Raglay, K'Ho, Tay, Nung and Kinh groups. Soil productivity is limited by the low organic matter in the soil and the low natural nutrition rate. While farmers are extremely knowledgeable of local constraints and conditions, they have a limited understanding of how to improve soil fertility, soil conservation and amelioration. Farmers are also constrained by limited resources and limited theoretical training, and often trapped by improper or non-sustainable practices. With these problems in mind, this project aims to carry out a soil survey and an evaluation to help farmers rebuild there capacity in agricultural production, improve their returns and increase their livelihoods. In order to show and transfer technologies to farmer, field trials on fertilizers for cropping systems on the problem soils have been being implemented as participatory in communes, continuing with the same technique in Summer crop for corn and peanut.

Jul-Dec 05 ICY Component 6

1. PROJECT OBJECTIVES

The goal of the project is to improve food crop yields in Central Laos, thus contributing to improved household food and economic security. The project's purpose is to improve local skills for extending and applying research output, to achieve increases in wet season food crop (particularly rice) production, using proven, low-input, sustainable technologies in these rice-based agricultural systems. At the same time farmers will be assisted to develop their dry-season crop production skills through training in crop production and soil management. This project has been extended to March 2007.

2. PROGRESS SUMMARY
This report describes the progress in 3 districts of Savannakhet including 7 villages of Phalanexai, 10 villages of Outhomphone and 5 villages of Atsaphanthong. During this period the project staff and counterpart staff had followed up the implementation on the demonstration activities and collected the results of yield in the demonstration rice in the wet season 2005. Farmers who were in their second year, expanded their production of rice, based on their preferred rice varieties from the previous season. Twenty-two new farmers started demonstration plots

Dry season cash crop training was conducted in 3 districts. The review and planning meeting was held at Thasano Rice Research and Seed Multiplication Centre with the participation of Dr John Schiller, Dr Phoudalay and Mr Phoumi, district staff from 3 districts and World Vision staff on 25th - 27th October 2005.

District agricultural staff in three districts undertook a study tour to visit the rice demonstration plots in each ICY village.

Three rice varieties were selected (TDK6, PNG1 and TSN2), by representatives of the districts, for multiplication (10 tonnes) for distribution in the wet season.

Since the beginning of 2004, fish farming cooperatives have been established in Surin and Udon Thani provinces, respectively. From both provinces, three fish feed recipes were trialled and developed using a mixture of crushed fish, soy starch, sugar starch, fine bran, free mixer and corn. The recipes have 30%, 25% and 18% protein and are used to supply members of fish raising groups within the target areas. To improve fish feed production, a solar drying facility was constructed at the Kok Sa-ard Sub-district Centre for Development of Sustainable Economy in Prasat District, Surin Province. Solar heat coming through the transparent glass cover of the house, minimises the humidity of feeds and accelerates the drying process.

Four nursery ponds have been established in Udon Thani Province for catfish and cross-sex tilapia fingerling raising. Sex-transformed nil tilapia have been successfully bred using a controlled process of breeding, testosterone feeding and rearing in earth ponds. 50,000 cross-sex tilapia fingerlings were raised successfully in 2005, but the results could not be replicated in Surin Province because of the drought.

In both provinces, farmer participants have been trained in techniques and procedures of fish raising, from identifying the right location to digging and preparing ponds, selecting fish breeds and fish raising itself. Training has occurred in both earth ponds and plastic lined ponds which are more drought resistance. During the January to June 2006 period, 30 new households took up fish farming and ponds were dug for a further 210 families. These families will be supplied with "Big Aui" breed catfish, once there is sufficient rain. The project also introduced the idea of supplementary planting around the pond sites with high value crops such as chillies, ginger, lemon grass, banana, lemons, coconut and mango. The project has continued with fish processing training, for value added fish products.

Soils report:
In the last six months the Soil Fertility for Sustainable Agriculture Project has continued carrying out the remaining activities of the project including:

Consolidating and packaging the knowledge on soil management gained during the initial project period.
Building the capacity of district and commune partners to develop and apply knowledge on soil management.
Engaging an expanded number of local farmers to use recommended soil management techniques to improve agricultural yields.Pilot testing appropriate water management technology.

As of the end of June 2007, the majority of project activities have been completed as planned, and an evaluation of the Extension phase.

ICY report:
This bi-annual report describes the progress of the Improving Crop Yield (ICY) project phase 3 in 3 districts of Savannakhet, including Phine, Atsaphone and Xonnabouly. During this 6-month period the project staff and counterpart staff have mainly monitored the implementation of demonstration activities and have collected the results of the yield of rice demonstration plots in the dry season 2007 as shown in annex 1.

A review and planning meeting was held at Thasano Rice Research and Seed Multiplication Center on 24th - 26th April 2007. Dr John Schiller, Dr Phoudalay, Mr Phoumi, Mr Bounthavy from NAFRI, the district staff from 6 districts (3 old districts and 3 new districts) and World Vision staff have participated in this meeting. During the wet season, 10 tonnes of rice seeds were distributed in the new target villages.

During this reporting period the following activities were implemented:

dry season 2007 rice demonstration in Xonnabouly and Phine;
dry season 2007 Review and Planning meeting;
farmers training on rice demonstration;
distribution of 10 T of rice seeds.