Environment and sustainability

Global population is forecast to reach around 9 billion by 2050. To feed the world, global agricultural output must increase by around 60% from present levels. This must be achieved against a background of increasing competition for natural resources such as water, feed ingredients and farming sites.

Maintaining environmental integrity while massively increasing food production will require farming systems to reduce their unit production environmental footprint. Many farming practices that are regarded as sustainable today will not be acceptable when scaled up. Sustainable intensification of aquaculture means doing more with less. The Sustainable Farming Systems Programme aims to help aquaculture become a more efficient user of natural resources, both in terms of farm productivity and environmental efficiency.

The programme develops better management practices for major aquaculture farming systems, and promotes aquaculture as a secondary or additional use of water resources. The programme focusses on practical interventions that can be directly achieved by small-scale farmers in a developing country context.

Key activities

Key activities of the programme are:

  • Development of better management practices for key aquaculture production systems.
  • Organising small-scale farmers into associations to facilitate cluster-based approaches to extension.
  • Development of culture-based fisheries as a secondary use of water bodies.
  • Development of strategic policy frameworks to guide governments and development agencies in promoting sustainable intensification of aquaculture.

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Subject tags

A collection of subject tags relating to technical matters.

In this collection

Science brief: Vulnerability and adaptation to climate change for catfish farmers, Mekong Delta

This brief summarises the results from the interdisciplinary study conducted within the AQUACLIMATE project, working with catfish farmers in the Mekong Delta. It highlights the science and technology needs that must be addressed to sustain the industry and its contribution to the livelihoods of poor farmers and food security.

Policy brief: Vulnerability and adaptation to climate change for catfish farmers in the Mekong Delta

This brief summarises the results from the interdisciplinary study conducted within the AQUACLIMATE project, working with catfish farmers in the Mekong Delta. It highlights the policy implications, research agenda and on farm adaptations that will be required to sustain the Vietnamese catfish industry and its contribution to the livelihoods of poor farmers and food security.

Vulnerability and adaptation to climate change for polyculture systems, Vietnam

The shrimp farming case study was conducted in Cà Mau and Bạc Liêu provinces, Mekong Delta, Southern Vietnam by: (1) organized stakeholder workshops to map farmer's perceptions, adaptation measures and agencies involved; and (2) questionnaire survey to assess vulnerability of the production system to climatic changes and extreme climatic events. Farmer perceptions of climate change and possible adaptation measures were identified. Policy frameworks including the policy options were recommended and an action plan proposed.

Technical brief: Vulnerability and adaptation to climate change for polyculture systems, Vietnam

This brief summarises the results from the interdisciplinary study conducted within the Aquaclimate project in Ca Mau and Bac Lieu provinces of the lower Mekong Delta looking at the impacts of climate change on small scale improved polyculture systems. The brief provides guidelines for policy development to address the climate change impacts on small scale improved polyculture farming systems in Vietnam and how adaptation measures should be implemented in the region.

Policy brief: Vulnerability and adaptation to climate change for polyculture systems, Vietnam

This policy brief summarises the results from the interdisciplinary study in Ca Mau and Bac Lieu provinces of the lower Mekong Delta looking at the impacts of climate change on small scale improved polyculture farming. The brief provides guidelines for policy development to address the climate change impacts on small scale improved polyculture farming systems in Vietnam and how adaptation measures should be implemented in the region. The guidelines are based on recommendations from stakeholders including farmers.

Aquaculture Asia Magazine, October-December 2012

In this issue:

American Soybean Association field trials in China. AusAID funded project on Institutional Support for Development of Mariculture in South East Sulawesi. Income enhancement of farmers through intensive fish culture in polythene lined farm ponds. Consultation on Sustainable Intensification of Aquaculture in the Asia-Pacific: Towards a new paradigm. Taxonomic status of mahseer fishes in north-eastern India: A report on the recent DNA barcoding studies. Biology and aquaculture of the rohu, Labeo rohita.

Aquaculture Asia Magazine, July-September 2012

In this issue:

Aquaculture in Hubei Province, central China. Ornamental fish farming - a successful cottage industry in rural and urban India. Measuring empowerment of women through self-help groups in aquaculture. Pigeon pea Cajanus cajan cultivation over fish pond dykes - an economically viable farming approach. Culture of freshwater climbing perch Anabas testudineus. Augmentation of fish production from a small reservoir of Vidarbha: A success story. Emergency consultation on early mortality syndrome of shrimp.

NACA Newsletter, Volume XXVII, No. 3, July-September 2012

In this issue:

Aquaclimate Project gets thumbs up from regional workshop on climate change. Developing climate resilient aquaculture: The Aquaclimate Project. Regional framework for cooperation on climate change. Emergency regional consultation on shrimp early mortality syndrome, 9-10 August, Bangkok. Regional study/workshop on adoption of aquaculture assessment tools for sustainability. Regional proficiency testing for aquatic animal disease diagnostic laboratories.

Proceedings of the Global Conference on Aquaculture 2010

The Global Conference on Aquaculture 2010 reviewed the present status and trends in aquaculture development, addressed emerging issues relevant to aquaculture development, assessed opportunities and challenges for future aquaculture development and built consensus on advancing aquaculture as a global, sustainable and competitive food production sector. This volume provides information on how aquaculture could be mobilized to alleviate global poverty and improve food and nutrition security in the coming decades.

Aquaculture Asia Magazine, April-June 2012

In this issue:

Shrimp farming in Andhra Pradesh, India. Small indigenous freshwater fish species in village community ponds to ensure nutritional security of rural poor. Postlarvae culture and technical status of whiteleg shrimp Penaeus vannamei hatcheries, Vietnam. Jatropha meal as a promising plant protein source for aquaculture feeds. Use of soybean meal in cobia diets. Capture based aquaculture of spiny lobster Panulirus polyphagus in open sea cages. Institutional linkage helping rural women gain employment.