BoP FUND
PROJECTS
Smallholder Shell Fish
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.
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The company has built an excellent country-wide network in Tanzania that includes smallholder farmer associations as well as high-level policy makers. Agreements on cooperation in production and marketing are in place. Distribution networks for stoves and fertilizers already exist.
