Awareness, Access, and Application

Knowledge for Sustainable Shrimp Farming in Eastern Province, Sri Lanka

Workshop on Best Management Practices for Sustainable Shrimp Farming in Eastern Province, Sri Lanka 02 February 2011 Batticaloa, Sri lanka

Dr. Tim DeJager Research Associate University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

The Eastern University, Sri Lanka

Its all about management

95% management 5% nature Management requires knowledge to make good decisions Knowledge is not solitary but social we need to learn from each other Connectivity to knowledge sources is needed better flows
The Eastern University, Sri Lanka

Three Pillars of the Project

Sustainability what does it mean for Shrimp farmers in eastern Province? Indicators? Health, Ecosystem, Economic, Social Knowledge security availability, accessibility, utilization = empowering at the farm and community level Improving Incomes and food security household, local, national, global
The Eastern University, Sri Lanka

Knowledge availability
Who has knowledge?
Value chain (upstream suppliers, downstream post harvest and markets), peers (farmers local, global), public institutions (universities, research institutes, government agencies)
The Eastern University, Sri Lanka

Knowledge Access
Map knowledge network where are the gaps? Where (who) are the knowledge hubs? Who is isolated and why?

The Eastern University, Sri Lanka

Bridging gaps and connecting

Gather knowledge from sources BMPs globally Create knowledge resources in local languages and adapted to local conditions Build better channels for continuous 2-way flow of knowledge knowledge exchange
The Eastern University, Sri Lanka

Our Project Hypothesis

Connectivity to knowledge flows is key for implementing sustainable practices economic, social, environmental, health Reducing poverty, increasing incomes, reducing environmental impact, and improved production (quantity, quality, lower cost) are all possible outcomes of knowledge connectivity Connectivity of knowledge flows between policy and industry can create enabling environment for sustainable growth
The Eastern University, Sri Lanka

Enhancing Knowledge Flows

Build knowledge sharing culture through meetings, material and virtual Increase opportuntiies to share workshops, mentoring, etc Strengthen value chain linkages to farmers Recognition for knowledge givers BMP Model farms and industry teachers Reward knowledge implementation best practices awards Build and test new ways of sharing knowledge mobiles, internet.
The Eastern University, Sri Lanka

Taking advantage of Information and Communication Technologies

Test whether mobile phones with 2-way SMS text messaging) can be effective for knowledge sharing. Develop web platform for aquaculture industry knowledge sharing accessible to all Provide tools to access digital knowledge
The Eastern University, Sri Lanka

From Physical to Digital

Flood in Eastern Province Last Year: Losses of books and pictures Digital forms less costly, can be easily shared, But access and learning usage is going to be the key future

The Eastern University, Sri Lanka

Better knowledge flows

The Eastern University, Sri Lanka

Why does knowledge matter?

Searching for information is costly one study in Dambulla estimates 11% of cost of production. Opportunity cost is high of not accessing and implementing best available knowledge. The future - The next generation needs our best management effort The future of food security in the developing world depends more on knowledge than on resource-intensive agriculture. (Venkataraman Balaji, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Patancheru, The India. Science, February 12, 2010). Eastern
University, Sri Lanka

Who is Involved in the Project

Collaborating Institutions University of Calgary, Wayamba University of SriLanka Participating Institutions: Eastern University, Northwestern Provincial Council Other collaborators: Sri Lanka Aquaculture Development Authority, LIRNEAsia, Institute for Policy Analysis Funding: The Canadian International Food Security Research Fund (CIFSRF) is a joint program of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).
The Eastern University, Sri Lanka

Thank you

Mrs. Stanley (Devadesen) and Eastern University Shrimp Farmers of Eastern Province, SLADA, Team from Wayamba University of Sri Lanka Dr. Sam Daniel, Dr. Craig Stephen IDRC and CIDA - Canadian International Food Security Research Fund
The Eastern University, Sri Lanka