Livelihoods - AIPRD Water Resources and Aquaculture Program (AWRAP)

Background

Restoration of Annual Cropping in Aceh (RACA)

The earthquake and tsunami damage in western Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam resulted in great loss of the farming population, agricultural and other infrastructure, and the deposition of marine sediments and intrusion of saline water on formerly productive fields. The constraints to restarting farming in the west are significant, but the resumption of farming activities is essential for providing livelihoods.

Aceh Aquaculture Rehabilitation Project (AARP)

Pre-tsunami, aquaculture was a major livelihood activity in Aceh, with over 94,000 people directly employed. Tiger shrimp, destined for export markets, had an annual production value of A$50 million. The industry is dominated by small low-input farms producing shrimp and milkfish. Extensive damage to small local hatcheries that market "seed" (juvenile shrimp) to farmers remains a serious constraint. Rehabilitation and improvement of aquaculture productivity needs better quality information, implementation of Best Management Practices, and better product quality control. The only organisation within Aceh that could provide this assistance is the Centre for Brackishwater Aquaculture Development (CBAD) at Ujung Batee, Banda Aceh. The Centre was badly damaged by the tsunami and cannot at present deliver the required services.

Description

The AIPRD Water Resources and Aquaculture Project (AWRAP) consists of two separate activities, the A$1 million Restoration of Annual Cropping in Aceh (RACA) and the A$4 million Aceh Aquaculture Rehabilitation Program.

Restoration of Annual Cropping in Aceh (RACA). This project aims to restore livelihoods through the re-establishment of annual cropping, and to reduce the reliance on food aid in tsunami-affected areas of Aceh. It proposes to strengthen and rebuild the technical capacity of extension services at provincial (NAD-BPTP), district and subdistrict levels to manage tsunami-affected soils to restore crop production, develop and demonstrate soil management practices to restore the productivity of annual crops. The project will also develop and implement a communication strategy to facilitate information exchange between government, non-government and community interest groups working on restoring agriculture to tsunami-affected land.

Aceh Aquaculture Rehabilitation Project (AARP). This project re-establishes coastal aquaculture as a key source of income and employment in Aceh. It is designed to reflect both the immediate short term needs resulting from the impact of the tsunami, and the longer term requirements for reinvigorating coastal aquaculture in Northern Sumatra. In order to meet both short and long term needs, the project is delivered in two components:

Component 1 - Physical Rehabilitation of the Durung site at the CBAD

• Reconstruction of the severely damaged hatchery facilities for shrimp, milkfish and other brackishwater species, water intake, revetment, laboratory and laboratory equipment and some staff housing and accommodation for people attending training courses.

Component 2 - Capacity Building at the CBAD

• Dissemination and implementation, through appropriate mechanisms, of proven Best Management Practices to the brackishwater aquaculture community (farmers and hatcheries);
• Enhancing the role of Regional Brackishwater Aquaculture Development Centre in disease control and management in Aceh;
• Enhancing the capacity of Regional Brackishwater Aquaculture Development Centre to produce seed and to introduce new seed production technologies through adaptive research and development.

Achievements/outcomes to date

Restoration of Annual Cropping in Aceh (RACA)

• A study in western NAD districts to gain familiarity with agricultural conditions and building links with government agencies and NGOs.
• Training for Agricultural Institutions on EM38, EC/pH meter and GPS.
• Soils Training Workshop in January 2007 attended by BPTP, Dinas Pertanian, Universities, etc.
• A regular newsletter to inform the project progress and other agricultural research and extension is currently being developed.

Aceh Aquaculture Rehabilitation Project (AARP)

• A feasibility study of the CBAD physical rehabilitation was completed. DGA, AusAID and ACIAR have decided a scope of works for the construction.
• An inception plan of capacity building at the CBAD has been produced.

This page was last updated on 25 January 2007

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