SAVE_SUCHANA: Ending the Cycle of Under-nutrition in Bangladesh_Quarterly Progress Report_April to June 2019

Abstract

WorldFish is mainly leading the nutrition sensitive fisheries and aquaculture component of Suchana program. It comprises nutrition sensitive aquaculture and fisheries interventions along with the vegetable gardening to improve nutrition status of women of reproductive ages and children less than two years in Sylhet and Moulvibazar districts. Based on topography, agro-ecological and social contexts of the areas different technologies have been adopted. Including these technologies improved technology on nutrition sensitive fish culture in pond and dyke cropping for nutrition, integrated homestead food production model of fish, poultry and vegetables for aquaculture households with less than two decimals of pond per household are important. All these technologies include climate resilient intervention as well. 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 body/wetland potentials-Pillar 3” (Suchana Technical Proposal, page xvi). During the current quarter WorldFish has emphasized access of target BHHs into nutrition specific activities through promoting increased consumption of nutritious fish and vegetables. Within the reporting quarter, a total 301 staff members from 29 unions participated at those trainings during the reporting quarter. Out of 301 participants, 196 Suchana Community Mobilizers (SCMs), 83 Field Facilitators (FFs), and 22 Union Coordinators (UCs) participated from 29 unions of 15 upazilas. These 2-day events consisted of practical training activities at the farmers’ fields of the respective unions. Total 30 fish nursery operators and 62 patilwalas (fish fingerling retailers) participated in the capacity building training on improved fish fingerling production technology and marketing of fingerling through better transportation system. Actually they are the key service providers for better fingerlings for the fish growers. At least 2 hatcheries and 21 fish nurseries. Other 42 were from local fingerling retailers/ patilwalas and 7 fish nursery owners participated in other 2 evets for better linkages within the fingerling producers and marketers. A total 409 IGA-BHHs and 10,929 BHHs have received training household based pond aquaculture /fisheries or other alternative production technologies and practices. Out of 10,929 BHHs, 3,446 BHHs have received training on exclusive pond aquaculture, and 3,592 BHHs have received training on integrated supports including aquaculture and poultry rearing especially those BHHs had access to pond but that was less than two decimals water area per BHHs. Other 3,409 BHHs have received training on subsistence fishing opportunities and techniques especially those didn’t have access to suitable pond but have access to open water bodies for small-scale fishing. The remaining 482 BHHs have received poultry related interventions as they didn’t have opportunity of aquaculture or any fisheries related opportunities. Cumulatively the total achievement was 99% (10,929) of AIP target. During the reporting quarter, a total 513 IGA-BHHs have received IGA-grants and relevant support. And 2,348 BHHs have received inputs for homestead HFP-fisheries/ alternatives. Out of 2,348 BHHs, 1,386 BHHs have received quality fingerlings and related supports lime and fish feed for nutrition sensitive aquaculture only and 932 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 two decimals water area per BHHs. The remaining 30 BHHs have received supports on subsistence fishing. It includes small net and bamboo-made fishing gears. One the other side, 35 Demo-pond operators have received fingerling in addition to the other relevant inputs like lime and fish feed on nutrition sensitive aquaculture. Demonstration ponds have important role as the community based resource centers to show the results from the improved technologies and practices related to fish and horticulture for other community members from both the beneficiary and non-beneficiary households. They are also the sources of quality inputs and technical information for the community members. These demonstration ponds are also using as the learning centers for organizing practical trainings, coaching, and linkage events for beneficiary households related to improved technologies and practices. It is expected that it will also be continued as the local resource centers in long run beyond the phasing out of Suchana program. Ultimately, most of the targeted activities had good progress. Few activities overachieved due to local potentialities and some carry forwarded activities were also completed which was targeted in earlier quarter. Most of the targeted households adopted improved production practices of aquaculture and vegetable gardening; there are good responses from the small-scale poultry under the integrated supported food production in homesteads through the aquaculture and horticulture activities. Still, some challenges were also observed especially related to the fingerling distribution. It was slightly delayed as few finer ling retailers/ vendors could not meet the quality (size) of fingerlings as per quotation. Even declined to supply so that it was took time to go for second option. In this case local fingerling retailers (patilwalas) can be one of the potential options for many working communities.