Team details

Team members

• Vongthasone VILAYTHONG
• Aloun Phonvisay
• Bounsong Vongvichith
• 💡 Tip

Project details

Describe your product and your key goals

<aside> <img src="/icons/apple_blue.svg" alt="/icons/apple_blue.svg" width="40px" /> Describe your product Product description here

AquaLao's product is a data-driven, technologically enhanced fish hatchery system. It aims to revitalize fish hatcheries in the Mekong region by integrating modern technology into their operations. The system includes:

• Sensors and monitoring systems: To collect real-time data on various parameters within the hatchery environment.
• AI algorithms: To analyze the collected data and generate actionable insights.
• Predictive models: To forecast production, optimize feeding strategies, and detect potential disease outbreaks.
• Decision support systems: To provide hatchery managers with user-friendly tools for informed decision-making.

This comprehensive system empowers hatchery managers to make data-driven decisions, leading to increased efficiency, productivity, and sustainability in fish production. It also contributes to biodiversity conservation by enabling the production of high-quality fingerlings of endangered and high-value species.

</aside>

<aside> <img src="/icons/bullseye_green.svg" alt="/icons/bullseye_green.svg" width="40px" /> What you want to achieve by March 2025

• Goal 1 Develop a functional prototype: Design, procure, and install a small-scale hatchery system integrated with sensors, monitoring systems, and AI algorithms, ready for data collection and analysis.
• Goal 2 Establish baseline data: Collect initial data on fish breeding, water quality, feeding efficiency, and fingerling health to understand the current situation and set benchmarks for improvement.
• Goal 3 Develop initial predictive models: Utilize collected data to create preliminary models for forecasting production, optimizing feeding strategies, and detecting potential disease outbreaks.
• Goal 4 Analyze data and refine models: Conduct in-depth analysis of collected data to identify trends and patterns, and refine the predictive models for improved accuracy and effectiveness.
• Goal 5 Assess economic viability: Evaluate the cost-effectiveness and potential profitability of the hatchery system to ensure its commercial viability.
• Goal 6 Initiate knowledge sharing: Conduct workshops and training sessions to build capacity among Lao aquaculture researchers, hatchery managers, and farmer groups on sustainable practices and data utilization.
• Goal 7 Engage stakeholders: Initiate discussions with commercial banks and policymakers to showcase the project's potential and explore opportunities for scaling up and wider adoption. </aside>

<aside> <img src="/icons/bell-notification_pink.svg" alt="/icons/bell-notification_pink.svg" width="40px" /> Describe the kinds of help you need the most (funding, expertise, technology, access, etc).

• Funding, particularly for the scaling-out phase: While the initial prototype development is covered by the UNDP grant, scaling the model to multiple hatcheries and communities will require significant financial investment. This includes costs for additional hardware and software, installation, training, and ongoing maintenance.
• Expertise in aquaculture and data analytics: While AquaLao has expertise in aquaculture, they may need additional support in advanced data analytics and AI model development. Partnering with experts in these fields could help refine the predictive models and optimize the hatchery system's performance.
• Technology partnerships: Collaborating with technology providers could help AquaLao access cutting-edge sensors, monitoring systems, and AI algorithms at a lower cost or with technical support. This could also ensure the system remains up-to-date with the latest advancements.
• Access to farmer groups and markets: AquaLao's success depends on the adoption of their hatchery system by smallholder farmer groups. Assistance in reaching and engaging with these groups, as well as establishing market linkages for their produce, would be crucial.
• Policy support and advocacy: Navigating the regulatory landscape and securing favorable policies for sustainable aquaculture can be challenging. Support from organizations or individuals with experience in policy advocacy could help AquaLao create an enabling environment for their business. </aside>

Describe your customers and the problem you are solving

<aside> <img src="/icons/brain_blue.svg" alt="/icons/brain_blue.svg" width="40px" /> Describe your target customers

• AquaLao's primary target customers are smallholder farmer groups in the Mekong River and its tributaries in Laos. These farmers often rely on fish farming for their livelihoods but face challenges due to declining fish stocks, unsustainable practices, and limited access to modern technology. </aside>

<aside> <img src="/icons/emoji-disappointed_pink.svg" alt="/icons/emoji-disappointed_pink.svg" width="40px" /> What pain points are you trying to solve?

• The core problem AquaLao aims to solve is the inefficiency and lack of data-driven insights in traditional fish hatcheries. This results in:
• Low productivity: Hatcheries struggle to meet the demand for high-quality fingerlings, particularly for endangered and high-value species.
• High production costs: Inefficient resource utilization and a lack of data-driven decision-making lead to increased costs and reduced profitability.
• Unsustainable practices: Traditional methods often contribute to environmental degradation and the depletion of fish stocks.
• Economic hardship: Declining fish populations and unsustainable practices negatively impact the livelihoods and food security of local communities. </aside>

Photos

• 💡 Tip