The ICD-SA is the Institutional capacity development for sustainable aquaculture project launched in 2006 to hasten the transfer to and adoption by coastal villagers of appropriate technologies that would enhance the productivity of aquatic resources and at the same time safeguard the fragile balance of the aquatic ecology.

Season-long training courses, technology demonstration, and research are the three main activities of ICD-SA projects. The ICD-SA projects, in effect, become: (1) an R&D platform for demonstrating the technical and economic feasibility of aquaculture technologies; (2) a laboratory for assessing socioeconomic and environmental impacts of aquaculture technologies; and, (3) on-site training ground for beneficiary communities.

Season-long training courses

Season-long training courses are conducted
onsite. Each course consists of a series of modules conducted throughout the production cycle of a cultured commodity. Each module is usually 2-3 days and is composed of lectures and hands-on practical sessions.

The purpose of season-long training courses – which can go from 4 to 6 months or longer – is to enable participants to learn technical knowledge and skills through actual production activities such as pond/pen preparation, stocking, feeding, water quality management, fish health management, harvesting and marketing. The extended period allotted gives participants more time to absorb and understand the topics. Camaraderie among the trainees and familiarity with their trainors may develop over time; this friendly atmosphere is conducive to sharing observations and solving production problems collegially.

Technology demonstration and production runs

The selection of species and culture systems that are demonstrated on-site is determined by community consultation, expert observation and analysis, and economic viability. The community consultation helps determine the appropriateness of a technology based on the resources and capabilities of the beneficiaries. AQD scientists analyze the techno-bio-physical characteristics of the local resources and design
the aquaculture farm in consultation with the clients/beneficiaries/donors. Construction of farm facilities is done with selected beneficiaries before the start of or during the “training-run” production, whichever is more practical and do-able.

Preliminary financial feasibility analysis is prepared by AQD researchers and economists
using costs-and-returns and discounted financial projections. Financial indicators used
are return-on-investments and payback period, net present value, internal rate of return, and benefit-cost ratio. The indicators are used as budgeting instruments in the production run.

The first production run is a “training run,” closely supervised by AQD trainers. In the course of the season-long training, participants do the actual production operations like stocking, feeding, sampling and monitoring, disease surveillance and prevention, cage/pond repair and maintenance, harvesting, and marketing. The succeeding production runs are operated and managed by the beneficiaries, if they are evaluated as ready and capable, with minimum supervision by AQD.

ICDSA project duration is usually three years - long enough for the beneficiaries to learn and be confident in operating and managing aquaculture farms.

Research studies

Baseline socioeconomic data are gathered through surveys and from secondary sources prior to or in the early months of the project implementation. At the start of the project, selected areas are studied to determine their carrying capacity as potential sites for aquaculture projects. And at the end, assessments will be conducted to measure, quantitatively and qualitatively, the project impact on the socioeconomic condition of the beneficiaries and on the aquatic environment.

Policy and governance

The information will be packaged into policy briefs and presented to LGUs to encourage legislation in support of sustainable aquaculture and fisheries development.