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Asian Journal of Agriculture and Development (AJAD) - Call for papers!

Assessment of community-based aquaculture program in Ossu, Viqueque, Timor-Leste

(Timor-Leste), Master of Science in Community Development (University of the Philippines Los Baños)

Thesis Abstract:

Community involvement is important in an aquaculture program's effectiveness, relevance, and sustainability. This study assessed the Community-Based Aquaculture Program in Ossu, Viqueque, Timor-Leste in terms of effectiveness, relevance, and sustainability. Specifically, it sought to describe the socio-demographic and economic characteristics of the participants; discuss the nature and level of participation in the aquaculture program; determine the effectiveness, relevance, and sustainability of the aquaculture program; analyze the factors which influence the effectiveness, relevance, and sustainability of the aquaculture program; and recommend an action plan to strengthen the capacity of community to sustain the aquaculture program. This study used survey (with 175 respondents), key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and review of secondary data. The results of the survey were analyzed using descriptive and bivariate correlational statistics.

The NGO Fraterna supports them at low level while the local government unit does not support them at all; therefore, the aquaculture program of the Combatting of Malnutrition and Poverty through Aquaculture Program Timor-Leste (COMPAC-TL) Program is struggling due to these inadequate supports. As per evaluation, the beneficiary respondents are fully participating partners and have high level of participation; thus, they are responsible and cooperative recipients of the project.

The respondents assessed the aquaculture program as effective, relevant, and sustainable; however, the economic factor in the sustainability aspect needs improvement. The bivariate correlational results indicated that their age, sex, civil status, educational attainment, trainings attended, and income are associated with the aquaculture program's effectiveness, relevance, and sustainability (except for very few pairs of correlation). Based on the findings of the study, an action plan was recommended.