Aquaculture Improvement Projects (AIPs) were developed as a mechanism for supply chains to address challenges in aquaculture production sectors against global standards. Various AIP approaches have been developed over the years. ASC created an Improver Programme to provide supply chain companies with a framework that could help farmers move towards ASC certification in a consistent, transparent and meaningful way. Pilot examples in shrimp have been delivered in Indonesia, Thailand and Bangladesh. Building on lessons learnt from those projects and in recognition of the global reach and variety of aquaculture production systems, ASC has been exploring how the approach can be expanded to meaningfully support smallholder farmers in any aquaculture sector to benefit from structured improvement. The idea moves further away from certification as an end goal and aims to make farmers, farms and whole aquaculture sectors more productive.
Typically, improvement projects have engaged seafood buyers and other actors at the downstream end of the supply chain. However, these projects remain focused on improvements to meet certification for international markets, leveraging markets based incentives to drive such improvements. Research by ASC and ThinkAqua, building on decades of experience delivering both classical development projects and supply chain-led AIPs has identified an opportunity to support small and medium enterprises through other models that are not reliant on international markets only.
A critical entry point to reach aquaculture farmers is through engagement with local feed companies. Typically, the most expensive component of any project working with smallholders or fragmented supply chain is the last mile to reach farmers with technical knowledge and inputs, and to provide them with a cost-effective route to market. This role is often filled either by technical sales teams from feed companies or by middlemen (agents) who have a commercial relationship with feed companies or off-takers. These agents often provide credit too, either formally or informally.
Engaging feed companies (or their agents) makes sense in many aquaculture sectors because they typically have a longer-term vision of sector sustainability. However, not all projects will look the same because needs will vary, even if the overarching aim will be to strengthen aquaculture production. This can be achieved through a blend of four sub-models that have been proven in various relevant contexts: creating industry associations / jurisdictional entities; developing local Codes of Good Practice; creating or supporting service delivery model business scaling; and increasing access to finance.
Feed companies will not provide an entry point in sectors that do not require feed – for example, seaweed production or extensive/household fish production, but some of the sub-models explored by ASC can be used with other agents in such industries.