Taking Nutrition-Sensitive Carp-SIS Polyculture Technology to Scale

Abstract

Fish is an irreplaceable source of micronutrients in diets in many developing countries, where large numbers of vulnerable people belong to “fish dependent” populations. Small indigenous fish species, collectively referred to as SIS, are regarded as natural “superfoods” because they are much richer in vital micronutrients, such as calcium, zinc, iron, and vitamins A and B12, than common farmed fish, like rohu and catla. SIS are small, growing to a maximum length of about 25 cm, and largely inhabit freshwater ecosystems. However, SIS have become increasingly at risk because of resource degradation, overexploitation, pollution and climate change. Although once ubiquitous and affordable, some SIS are now scarce and expensive, making them less accessible to lower- and middle- income fish consumers.