Improving Productivity and Competitiveness of Fisheries Value Chain in LAC Region

Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua

The specific objectives of this initiative included: 1) fostering cooperation among the various actors of the value chain at the country and regional levels with a view to sharing experiences and good practices; 2) promoting more resource efficient, environment friendly and socially equitable shrimp farming and processing practices; and, 3) improving produce quality for exports. The project benefited actors in the various segments of the fisheries value chain in Colombia,Cuba, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua. Major achievements of the project are: Output 1: Regional integration enhanced and economic revenues of actors in the value chain improved: • Developed and launched a digital platform for regional cooperation for organizing joint actions for the development of the shrimp value chains on a permanent basis. It contains, among other; (i) an experts database; (ii) a regional data base of quality standards and compliance requirements of the main export markets in the region, including the analytical capacities of laboratories in each country; and (iii) discussion forums. • Established National Committees in involved countries for; (i) updating and endorsing the national and regional sectorial strategy; (ii) promoting investment within the sector, and the creation of alliances to facilitate the replication/ dissemination of the project’s results; (iii) promoting the regional trade; (iv) analyzing the potential establishment of a regional trade and exchange agreement of live animals. • National and regional proposals activities focused on (i) fostering regional partnerships and cooperation on innovation and best practices; (ii) strengthening domestic and international trade and ensuring compliance with quality standards; and (iii) improving productivity and resource efficiency along the value chain. Output 2: Increased Productivity and efficiency of shrimp production and processing: • In Dominican Republic, freshwater shrimp farming was introduced in the country for the first time and a production test was carried out to determine the best farming conditions. Moreover, equipment was procured, including sweet water blower, aerotubes, laboratory equipment and antipredator netting. • In Cuba, procurement of technologies (solar powered automatic feeders, aerators, pond liner and laboratory equipment). Productivity in the beneficiary shrimp farms increased by 76% and water consumption was reduced by 30%, resulting in salary raises of up to 90% for 1,170 workers (including 32% women). Output 3 in Colombia and Nicaragua: • Assessed the Technological and human capacities and identified the challenges in order to strengthen export markets outlined recommendations for the public and the private sector and conducted 4 big workshops for knowledge sharing. • In Nicaragua, supported the National Institute of Agricultural Protection and Health and enhanced disease diagnoses accuracy by 95%. • In Colombia, trained 467 workers (81% women) in the selected processing plants and enhanced the productivity by 25% and their health profile by 12%. Output 4: Improved Environmental sustainability of the value chain In Mexico and Ecuador: • Identified 41 potential areas for improvements in environmental impact, water saving, energy saving, and made investment proposals worth approx. USD 400,000. • Reduction of more than 15% in consumption of electric power, water, feedstock and chemicals: 40% water savings (Mexico); 25% energy savings (Mexico); 37% electricity savings and 100% substitution of fossil fuels (Ecuador); 15% feedstock savings (Ecuador). • In Mexico, the processing capacity of the beneficiary processing plants increased by 100% and workforce by 50% with an active participation of women (70%). • Improved resource-efficiency and cleaner production in the shrimp Sector and the environmental performance.