Assessment of the carp seeds value chain in southern Bangladesh (final draft)

The Aquaculture for Income and Nutrition (AIN) project implemented by World Fish and funded by USAID, aims at increasing aquaculture production in 20 districts of Southern Bangladesh (Greater Khulna, Greater Barisal, Greater Jessore and Greater Faridpur) to reduce poverty and enhance nutritional status. As part of its initial scoping activities World Fish commissioned this value chain assessment on the market chains of carp fish seed (spawn, fry and fingerlings) in the southern region of Bangladesh. The purpose of this study is to obtain a clearer understanding of the volumes of fish produced and consumed in Southern Bangladesh and their origin (by system and location), their destination (by type of market, type of consumer and location), and to gain a clearer understanding of potential market based solutions to farmer’s problems, which the project could implement.

Value chain analysis: shrimp, prawn and tilapia from the southern region of Bangladesh & feasibility analysis: brackish water sea-bass in the southern region in Bangladesh

The WorldFish Center is implementing the FtF Aquaculture Project in 20 southern districts in Bangladesh. The project is implemented under USAID’s Feed the Future initiative in collaboration with the Government of Bangladesh. The project contributes to achieving the ‘Feed the Future’ goals through four objectives: (i) dissemination of improved quality fish and shrimp seed, (ii) improving the nutrition and income status of farm households, (iii) increasing investment, employment and fish production through commercial aquaculture and (iv) policy and regulatory reform and institutional capacity building to support sustainable aquaculture growth. The project commissioned this study to gather insights into the value chains of shrimp, prawn and tilapia in the project region and the feasibility of promoting culture of brackish water sea-bass in the region. The findings and recommendations are expected to provide the foundation for the project to design its interventions for achieving its goals.