Title	Technical Training on Equipment Maintenance, Safety, and Cost Efficiency in Intensive Shrimp Farming
Client	Toan Thang and Hoa Nho Cooperatives (Soc Trang)
Country	Vietnam
Project number	24ATVN-9764
Assignment number	Dec, 2025 – Jan 2026
Period
Cooperative advisors (CAs)	Tran Quang Dieu
Mode of Agripool involvement	No agripooler

 

1. BACKGROUND

The Mekong Delta remains the heart of Vietnam’s shrimp production, yet cooperatives operating in this sector face structural and technical limitations that restrict their capacity to scale, comply with international sustainability standards, and attract investment. Shrimp farming is increasingly capital-intensive and technology-driven, and without strong technical know-how, cooperatives are exposed to production inefficiencies, safety risks, and rising operational costs.

The “Making Aquaculture Cooperatives in the Mekong Delta Inclusive and Bankable (MACIB)” project, funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and implemented by Agriterra, is designed to transform shrimp cooperatives into inclusive, professional, and market-driven entities. MACIB supports the shift from fragmented smallholder operations to cooperative-led, sustainable aquaculture enterprises through targeted capacity building, policy advocacy, and partnership facilitation with the private sector and financial institutions.

According to the MACIB Mid-Term Review (July 2025) and the Cooperative Assessment Report, a critical barrier to cooperative bankability and certification readiness is the lack of technical protocols and workforce safety measures in production operations. Equipment such as paddlewheel aerators, bottom aeration systems, and generators are often improperly maintained, leading to increased breakdowns, crop losses, and excessive energy costs. Furthermore, over 60% of assessed cooperatives lack structured guidance or enforcement of labor safety norms, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), chemical handling protocols, or electrical safety SOPs.

The “Cẩm nang hướng dẫn kỹ thuật nuôi tôm cho HTX” (Technical Handbook for Cooperatives) highlights persistent risks linked to unsafe operations, limited technical training, and inconsistent equipment maintenance practices. These issues are exacerbated in intensive shrimp farming environments where equipment failure or labor accidents can result in significant financial and ecological loss. Additionally, the 2023 Needs Assessment Survey revealed that many farmers are unaware of cost-saving techniques for electricity and chemical usage, and they frequently lack access to credible technical advisory services.

Within the MACIB portfolio, two cooperatives— Toan Thang, and Hoa Nho (Can Tho)—have been identified as applying intensive shrimp farming models. These cooperatives manage a substantial area of shrimp ponds and operate high-risk, energy- and input-intensive production systems requiring continuous operation of mechanical and electrical equipment such as aerators and oxygenation systems. However, assessments have shown gaps in farm-level technical management, periodic maintenance, worker safety, and responsible chemical/electricity use.

In response, MACIB is initiating a structured technical training program tailored to cooperative realities, with a strong focus on safety, efficiency, and operational reliability. This training will address the following critical needs:

• Preventive maintenance of key production equipment (paddlewheels, bottom diffusers, generators);
• Workplace safety regulations and PPE enforcement at shrimp farms;
• Electrical system operation and risk management;
• Safe chemical handling and environmental precautions;
• Energy-saving strategies to lower electricity costs;
• Development of internal SOPs and safety rules to institutionalize good practices.

This training aligns with MACIB’s broader goal of enhancing cooperatives’ technical readiness for sustainability certification (e.g., ASC, organic) and unlocking access to concessional financing. By embedding these practices into daily operations, cooperatives will be better positioned to manage production risks, reduce costs, and meet the expectations of buyers, certifiers, and financial partners.

Since this technical training is outside Agriterra’s core expertise, local consultant will be recruited to deliver the program.

 

2. OBJECTIVES

The technical training under the MACIB project addresses operational gaps and safety concerns in shrimp cooperatives. It provides hands-on, context-specific capacity building to equip members, technicians, and board leaders with the skills needed to run safe, efficient, and resilient farming systems. The objectives are:

• Enhance technical competencies: Train cooperative members and staff in maintaining key aquaculture equipment (paddlewheel aerators, bottom aeration systems, backup generators) to extend lifespan, reduce breakdowns, and stabilize productivity.
• Strengthen OHS compliance: Provide tailored guidance on PPE use, emergency planning, safe electrical practices, and risk reduction to ensure safety and meet national and international certification standards.
• Increase accident preparedness: Raise awareness of risks in shrimp farming (electrical shocks, chemical exposure, mechanical hazards) and equip farmers with preventive strategies and emergency protocols.
• Promote resource management: Introduce tools, case studies, and best practices for efficient use of electricity and chemicals, lowering costs and minimizing environmental impact.
• Support SOP development: Help cooperatives establish clear Standard Operating Procedures for maintenance, chemical handling, electricity use, and labor safety to ensure consistency, traceability, and continuous improvement.

 

3. SCOPE OF WORK

The consultant will design and deliver a practical, cooperative-level training program in the Mekong Delta, tailored to local capacities, farming models, and site-specific risks. Training will be interactive and field-oriented, using demonstrations, discussions, and visual aids. Core modules include:

• Farm Equipment Maintenance: Step-by-step protocols for paddlewheel aerators, bottom aeration systems, and backup generators; use of tools, schedules, and logs for preventive maintenance.
• Occupational Safety and Health (OSH): Farm safety rules, PPE use and management, safe electrical operations, high-risk activity protocols, and emergency response training.
• Chemical Use Management: Safe handling, storage, mixing, and disposal of aquaculture chemicals; dosage accuracy, record-keeping, and awareness of environmental and market compliance.
• Electrical Cost Optimization: Energy-saving measures, pump scheduling, timers, load balancing, and routine checks to reduce costs and prevent electrical risks.

All materials and SOP templates will be adapted to cooperative literacy levels, reviewed by Agriterra, and supported by follow-up coaching through identified champion farmers or technicians.

 

4. DELIVERABLES

The consultant (s) will provide practical outputs in both English and Vietnamese, tailored to cooperative literacy levels and reviewed by Agriterra. Key deliverables include:

• Training Materials Package: User-friendly slide decks, SOP templates, visual aids/posters, and pocket-size manuals for cooperative members.
• Comprehensive Training Report: Submitted within 10 working days after the training completion, including participant data, knowledge assessment results, photo documentation, and session-wise feedback with recommendations.
• Farm Safety & Maintenance Checklist: A simple tool for routine monitoring of equipment, PPE use, electrical safety, and chemical management, with space for tracking and follow-up actions.

All deliverables must be editable (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF) and will form part of the MACIB cooperative training toolkit, with Agriterra retaining rights to adapt and replicate.

 

5. TENTATIVE TIMELINE

The assignment is expected to take place from December 2025 – Jan 2026, with structured phases for material development, cooperative-level training delivery, and post-training reporting. The timeline allows for sufficient time to ensure quality assurance, accommodate cooperative schedules, and incorporate field-level realities.

Activity	Timeframe	Responsible
Preparation and Approval of Training Materials	25-31 Dec 2025	Consultant + Agriterra
–  Drafting training content, SOPs, and visual tools
–  Review and approval by Agriterra
Training Delivery at Cooperatives	01-10 Jan 2026	Consultant
–  Coordination with cooperative leaders
–  Delivery of training –  Exchange visit
Final Reporting and Deliverables Submission	10-15 Jan 2026	Consultant
–  Submission of training report, photos, checklist, SOP templates
–  Review and final approval by Agriterra

Note: Exact training dates per cooperative will be finalized in coordination with Agriterra and cooperative leaders to align with local farming schedules and avoid peak harvest periods.

 

6. QUALIFICATIONS OF CONSULTANT

To ensure the effectiveness, relevance, and practical applicability of the training, the selected consultant or training provider must meet the following minimum qualifications:

• Proven experience in technical training for aquaculture, especially shrimp farming systems, equipment use, and farm management.
• Strong knowledge of intensive and semi-intensive shrimp farming, including aerators, bottom aeration, electrical systems, and backup generators, with the ability to explain complex concepts in simple, practical ways.
• Good understanding of occupational health and safety (OHS), risk management, national labor laws, and certification standards (ASC, VietGAP, organic).
• Experience working with farmer groups or cooperatives in capacity building, technical advisory, or cooperative development. Knowledge of cooperative governance is an advantage.
• Excellent facilitation and communication skills in Vietnamese, able to engage diverse audiences through interactive training.

 

7. TEAMWORK CORDINATION

• The consultant will work under the guidance of Agriterra Vietnam, which oversees technical quality and ensures alignment with MACIB objectives. Agriterra will manage the training program, provide technical inputs, and review all content to guarantee relevance and certification‑readiness.
• The consultant will coordinate directly with cooperative boards to finalize dates, venues, participant mobilization, and logistics, adapting to local schedules and farming realities. All training materials must be submitted to Agriterra for approval, with revisions made as needed to ensure accuracy and accessibility.
• Throughout the assignment, the consultant is expected to maintain regular communication with Agriterra’s technical advisors and promptly report any risks, delays, or issues during implementation.

 

8. CONSULTACY DAYS

For this assignment, which targets intensive shrimp farming cooperatives: Toan Thang, and Hoa Nho – the total number of advisory days is 10-15 working days, tentatively broken down as follows:

• Preparation & Material Development (including content adaptation to local farming systems and SOP drafting)
• Coordination & Scheduling, follow-up support (with Agriterra and cooperative leadership)
• Training Delivery
• Exchange visit
• Final Reporting & Deliverables (including disaggregated reporting per cooperative and checklist templates)

 

9. APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS

Interested consultants or consulting teams are invited to submit a complete application package that demonstrates their capacity and suitability for delivering this assignment on Technical Training on Equipment Maintenance, Safety, and Cost Efficiency in Intensive Shrimp Farming.

Application Package Requirements:

• Cover Letter: State interest in the assignment, highlight relevant qualifications and training experience, and explain suitability.
• Technical & Financial Proposal: Outline the training approach, curriculum, tools, and work plan (covering theory and practice), confirm availability, and provide the daily consultancy rate in VND (tax inclusive) with a breakdown of facilitation, materials, and travel/logistics.
• Updated CV(s): Include detailed qualifications and professional experience with at least two references. Attach evidence of previous work in aquaculture, equipment maintenance, safety training, or cost management.

Submission Guidelines:

• All application documents must be submitted in English.
• Please send the full package by email with the subject line:
  “Consultant – Training on Equipment Maintenance, Safety & Cost Efficiency in Intensive Shrimp Farming (MACIB Project)”
• Email submissions should be sent to: [email protected] (with cc to [email protected])

Selection Process:

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited for an interview.
• The closing date for applications is 17:00 (Vietnam time), 25 Dec 2025.