South Asia

Nearly 40% of the world’s poorest people live in South Asia. Fisheries and aquaculture receive high priority in national strategies for food security, economic growth and poverty reduction, particularly in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Despite rapid growth in production from aquaculture and capture fisheries in the last three decades, plenty of growth potential remains. Our work focuses primarily on Bangladesh because the overwhelming importance of fisheries and aquatic resources there provides a powerful entry point for addressing poverty, food insecurity and vulnerability to environmental shocks (floods, droughts, climate change). Our findings there are also highly relevant to neighboring countries, and beyond.

Our development of innovative fisheries co-management approaches in Bangladesh was particularly commended by the CGIAR Science Council as “an eminently replicable model for contemporary rural development.” Lessons learned on developing aquaculture in seasonal floodplains, integrating aquaculture with agriculture, and disseminating improved fish seed have also yielded benefits far beyond the country.

Women’s benefits are a special focus of our work in Bangladesh. Opportunities to develop new income streams for women are sought through the management of decentralized hatcheries and shrimp nurseries; pond management; cage culture; mussel and crab culture; and the active participation in marketing chains for aquatic products.

Highlights of our work in Bangladesh

Visit the WorldFish Center South Asia website

For more information, contact Mr. Alan Brooks - a.brooks@cgiar.org