Project goal:
To strengthen community based small scale industry (with regards to environmental conservation effort as well as a potential source of income), which could finally increase community?s bargaining position toward local government policy in managing fresh water ecosystem (in this case : river).

Project objective (including GEF problem area addressed by project) :
1. To introduce and enhance fish culture system, as a way to prevent the population of the fish in Ogan river;
2. To develop the skill of the community in fish breeding and culture;
3. To provide institutional strengthening activities for the local co-operative units;
4. To increase community?s income and welfare;
5. To provide training opportunities in developing sustainable small scale business for the local community.

Activities to be carried out under the project :

1. Preparation.
a) Approach to related institutions which serve as center for fish breeding and culturing activities, especially the one with successful record in breeding and culturing local fish species, and seek possibility of cooperation in training the community as well as the staff of YPD;
b) Forming working groups of communities in 8 villages;
c) Mobilizing the local community to actively embark on a participatory activities which include dialogues with local government officials.

2. Local Training and education in the field.
a) Training on breeding, culturing, pond management and post-harvest handling techniques of patin fish;
b) Management of community organization training;
c) Advocacy on the government?s law and regulations relevant to water resource management.

3. Outreach Approach.
a) Seedlings - establishing nursery for saplings to be distributed, the knowledge will be adopted from networks established by YPD;
b) Pond structuring - will be constructed in 1 village as a demoplot, to be used as nursery of the fish larvae;
c) Revolving fund - each of the 8 CBO will receive capital to start their business (within two years this capital shall be returned to be given to other units developed).

4. Technical Assistance.
a) Aquaculture techniques : breeding, nursery, harvesting, and post-harvesting;
b) Small scale industry management : financing, reporting, administration.

5. Evaluation and Reporting.


Project Participants and/or beneficiaries :
1. Yayasan Putra Desa (YPD).
2. Local community in 8 villages in Muara Kuang sub-district, Ogan Komering Ilir district.

Anticipated result of project :
1. Aquaculture technique and skill to be adopted and implemented by local community;
2. Developed a better fishing techniques, from totally depend on natural fish stock to harvesting their own fish culture;
3. Fish ponds and floating cages to be constructed, as a way of culturing patin fish;
4. A strong small scale industry to be established, as an alternative income source for local community;
5. Improved village level co-operative units and local community organization management skills;
6. Established a better local government policy which regulate water resource management