DFID Nutrition sensitive aquaculture and horticultural activities of Suchana, WorldFish Quarterly Progress Report Jan-Mar 2020

Abstract

WorldFish is leading the nutrition sensitive fisheries and aquaculture component. It comprises nutrition sensitive aquaculture and fisheries interventions along with the coverage of half (50%) of the beneficiary households for vegetable gardening to improve nutrition status of women of reproductive ages and children less than two years in Sylhet and Moulvibazar districts. WorldFish is committed to “contribute to increased production and consumption of nutritious fish and vegetables in homestead or leased ponds, land and through utilizing public and private water bodies/wetland potentials-Pillar 3” (Suchana Technical Proposal, page xvi). Considering the topography, agro-ecological and social contexts of the targeted areas, different technologies have been adopted to promote the nutrition sensitive fish culture in the ponds and vegetables cultivation at the pond dykes including the homestead. Based on expectations from the beneficiary households, poultry has also been incorporated especially for some of the households those have pond but pond’s water areas are less than three decimals per household and those were targeted who have no ponds but potentials for subsistence fishing interventions. All these interventions are also addressing the climate resilient issues. WorldFish is emphasizing the access of nutrition specific activities towards promoting the diversified diets as well.
During the reporting quarter, beneficiary households have received trainings, orientations, nutrition sensitive critical inputs/ grants and technical follow-ups especially related to fisheries, poultry rearing and horticulture. Except two, entire activities had around 100% achievements especially from WorldFish related interventions. Up to the reporting quarter, a total 10,896 BHHs have received inputs for homestead HFP-fisheries/ alternatives such as fishing gear and poultry related supports. Out of 10,896 BHHs, 3,203 BHHs have received quality fingerlings and related lime and fish feed supports for nutrition sensitive aquaculture only, and 2,810 BHHs have received quality fingerlings and relevant supports for nutrition sensitive aquaculture in addition to the small-scale poultry rearing supports as the part of integrated production model especially those BHHs had access to pond but that was less than three decimals water area per BHHs. Other 406 BHHs have received inputs on subsistence fishing opportunities, only 18 BHHs have received inputs on subsistence fishing and fish processing (like dry fish). The remaining 4,459 BHHs have received inputs on subsistence fishing and poultry rearing. The overall achievement was 98% compare to the AIP target of 11,075 BHHs. A total 135,147 BHHs have received vegetable seed/ seedling to establish their gardens. It was a combined target of HKI and WorldFish. It is anticipated that a half of the BHHs has received vines from the resources allocated by WorldFish and the other half from HKI. 
Based on the results from the rapid assessment conducted by WorldFish in January 2020, on an average 269 Kg of fish was harvested per beneficiary household in last 1 year. Out of those, 42% (114 Kg) was used for family consumption, 48% (129 Kg) was sold, 6% used for producing dry fish and only 4% was gifted to others. Within last 1 year, they reared 21 birds per households. It was included both chicken and ducks. Out of 21 birds, 7 (33%) was continued under the rearing process at the point of visit, 6 (27%) were used for family consumption, 4 (19%) were sold, 0.2 (1%) were gifted to others, and 4 (19%) were died. Similarly on an average 101 eggs were collected per households from the homestead poultry from their chickens and ducks. Out of 101 eggs, 59% was consumed at the family members, 20% was sold, 19% was used for producing poultry birds through household level hatching practices using local hens, and only 1% was damaged. The value of total harvest of fish, poultry birds and eggs was 60,927 BDT per BHH. Out of 60,927 BDT, the contribution of fishing was 50,261 BDT, and the remaining 3,692 BDT and 974 BDT were from poultry birds (including chickens and ducks) and eggs respectively. Overall 91% respondent households expressed either satisfied (66%) or very satisfied (25%) after receiving the supports on either only subsistence fishing or subsistence fishing or small-scale poultry rearing in addition to the vegetable production system