In Vietnam rodents are one of the three most important problems identified by the agricultural sector. The damage caused by rodents in agricultural systems is an important impediment to rural development in the Mekong Delta region. This proposal capitalises on the research findings and on the measurement of farmers' belief and practises associated with rodent control in the Mekong Delta. Three research activities were determined to be of high priority: to determine farmers' knowledge, attitude and practise (KAP) in rat management; the economics of using a trap-barrier system (TBS) for managing rat populations; the sociological framework for implementing community TBS. | Project Title Code Enhancing capacity in rodent management in the Mekong delta region using non chemical methods Australian Personnel Dr Grant Singleton Australian Institution CSIRO Wildlife and Ecology Vietnam Institution IAS PPD and CLRRI Proiect Duration July 2000 to June 2002 Project Description In Vietnam rodents are one of the three most important problems identified by the agricultural sector. The damage caused by rodents in agricultural systems is an important impediment to rural development in the Mekong Delta region. This proposal capitalises on the research findings and on the measurement of farmers belief and practises associated with rodent control in the Mekong Delta. Three research activities were determined to be of high priority to determine farmers knowledge attitude and practise KAP in rat management the economics of using a trap-barrier system TBS for managing rat populations the sociological framework for implementing community TBS c-TBS . This project will develop Vietnam s capacity to develop extension and research capacity for rodent management. Objectives This project will develop Vietnam s capacity to a Develop extension and research capacity for rodent management b Assess the effectiveness of control programs assessing changes in beliefs of farmers their control practices etc assessing economic benefits through increased rice production c Develop tools for establishing provincial wide implementation planning. Outputs and Performance indicators Outputs Performance Indicators Enhanced ability of Vietnamese counterparts to address key research and sociological issues associated with non-chemical methods of rodent control i Completed by January 2001 Tested the capacity developed above at demonstrated sites within a province i Completed by Feb 2001 to March 2002 Assessed the sociological framework for implementation and benefit cost of village-level rodent management i Reviewed and developed in consultation with PPDs and farmers a .
