Aquaculture/Agriculture - Nutrition Linkages in Bangladesh
Anna Birkmose AndersenDr. Shakuntala Haraksingh Thilsted
Homestead aqua- and agriculture
Production Technology:• Polyculture in homestead ponds
– Carps (large fish)– Nutrient-rich Small Fish
• Vegetable– On pond dykes– In homestead gardens
Advantages • Availability of nutrient-rich foods• Easy to harvest in small portions
for household consumption• Production for consumption and
income
Homestead production for improved nutrition
• Homestead production• Nutrient-rich small fish
eaten whole• Nutrient-rich vegetables
• Rich sources of multiple nutrients:• Animal-source protein• Essential fats• Essential vitamins and minerals
Improved dietary diversity
Example of nutrient-rich vegetable production:Orange-fleshed sweet potatos
• Easy to produce and suitable for small areas like pond dykes
• Requires minimal labor, fertilizer and pesticides
• Vines are easy to preserve for planting the next season
• Both leaves and roots provide vitamin A– Good for the eyes– Helps the body to fight
diseases
Aquaculture/Agricultire - Nutrition Linkagesin FtF Aqua
Package components:• Pond polyculture of carps and small fish• Vegetable production in homestead
garden and on dyke• Behavior Change Communication with
essential nutrition messages• Promotion of nutrient-rich small fish and
vegetables, especially for women and children
• Cooking demonstrations• Monitoring and evaluation• Implemented in collaboration with Helen
Keller International, SPRING and MYAP
Complementary food
• Easy nutrient-rich complementary food made of local culturally accepted ingredients
• Dried darkina, orange-fleshed sweet potato, rice and soybean oil
• Ground• Sold in one serving packages• Contains essential nutrients
for a young child: Iron, zinc, calcium, vitamin A, animal protein and fat
Moving Forward
• Increase agricultural field staff’s knowledge and interest in nutrition
• Increase the production and variability of nutrient-rich small fish and vegetables
• Year round vegetable production to avoid seasonal hunger
• Develop easy methods for catching small amounts of small fish
• Comprehensive evaluation of dietary habits
Thank you