1. Major aspects of aquaculture planning
(a) Form and level of industry;
(b) Infrastructure;
(c) Investments.
2. Basic data required for planning
(a) Total requirements for domestic consumption and export;
(b) Sources of production;
(c) Extent of suitable cultivable area;
(d) Availability of water, fertilizers, feed and labour;
(e) Estimated possible production through capture and culture fisheries;
(f) Likely socio-economic benefits to rural sector (employment opportunities, nutritional improvement, land settlement, etc.);
(g) National priorities with regard to type of produce;
(h) Consumer preferences;
(i) Marketing channels;
(j) Storage, processing and transport facilities.
3. Production objectives
Decision on type and level of culture (pond culture, cage culture, raft culture, etc.; extensive or intensive culture; small-scale rural aquaculture or large-scale industrial aqua-culture) and nature of end products (table fish, seed fish, bait fish, sport fish, pearls, etc.) in relation to national objectives and economic realities; year-round supply to markets.
4. Planning of small-scale rural aquaculture
Provision of technical assistance and extension service for site survey, design and construction of installations; provision of support services for production, distribution and marketing - production and/or supply of seed, feed, fertilizers, chemicals and drugs; disease control; assessment of marketing requirements and demand potentials; special facilities for marketing of live fish and shellfish; preservation and storage facilities.
5. Planning of large-scale industrial aquaculture
Technological and ecological considerations in site selection; large capital outlay, centralized management and vertical integration; provision of adequate management and business skill; provision of adequate support services; development of auxiliary industries for specialized equipment and supplies.
6. Assessment of manpower requirements
(a) Managerial;
(b) Technical - technicians (field operators), aquaculturists, specialists, farm engineers, extension workers and processing personnel;
(c) Marketing personnel.
7. Training of personnel
8. Research support and extension service
9. Economic appraisal and planning
Project analysis - quantum of investment required for establishment of infrastructure and support services; economic viability in terms of returns on investment; pilot-scale units to study commercial feasibility.
Financing and credit - financing agencies and channels of credit supply; their integration with support services; role of cooperatives and cooperative banks in financing; joint ventures; subsidies; insurance cover.
10. Legal provisions for aquaculture promotion
Practicals
Preparation of an aquaculture plan for a selected area or the whole of the trainee's country, based on available information.
