Fighting Poverty in the
Dry South of Madagascar
Smallholder Shell Fish
Farmer Cooperative in Vietnam
KAITE - Social Investment
in Zimbabwe
Empowering Low-Caste
Women's Cooperatives Nepal

Dignity, Health and Clean Water
EcoSAN in Ethiopia

Water and Energy for the Rural Poor, Madagascar
Pyrethrum Natural Insecticide, Bolivia
Jatropha Biofuel for Local Markets, Tanzania
Improving Livelihoods for small-holder Farmers, Madagascar


GEXSI Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) provides non-charitable services based on a shared philosophy with the GEXSI Charity. For more information on the professional services provided by GEXSI LLP refer to www.gexsi.com
 
Smallholder Shell Fish Farmer Cooperative

The cooperative is set up to not only increase the income of poor local farmers, but also offer farmers an excellent alternative to using antibiotics in aquaculture.




The Smallholder Shell Fish Cooperative is set up in order to increase the income of poor farmers and fishers in a very remote part of the Mekong Delta, one of the poorest regions in Vietnam. The cooperative will provide local farmers with debt relief, training, distribution channels and equipment. The project builds on the experience of a small shell fish farm which is operated by a social entrepreneur of the GEXSI network. The initial farm was established in 2004 in order to demonstrate a more sustainable and effective method of aquaculture farming. Unlike many other acquaculture farms, this project does not use antibiotics, instead it uses effective micro organisms as they ensure a naturally balanced water quality. This project also has other significant environmental benefits including assisting with preserving mangrove wetland ecosystems, which helps in protecting biodiversity and preventing erosion.



GEXSI assist the local social entrepreneur in setting-up a cooperative which will help local smallholder families to generate income above the poverty line. Finance is needed to mentor and coach the local entrepreneur in setting up the cooperative as well as for a soft loan to cover the operative costs until the first shell fish will be sold (after 18 months). The loan is managed by GEXSI ; once it is repaid it will be "recycled" to sponsor the next generation of social entrepreneurs of our network.