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