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Farmed Fish Sector Brief Why are we in this sector? Bangladesh’s farmed fish sector has a huge potential to lift small and poor farmers out of poverty while contributing to inclusive economic growth. The sector can make an impactful contribution to the Government of Bangladesh’s poverty alleviation strategy by creating self-employment, accelerating economic development, and earning foreign currency through export business, as well as meeting nutritional requirements. Currently, Bangladesh has become the fourth largest farmed fish producer in the world. The key factor for this development is the ever-growing demand for fish driven by population increase and rapid economic advancement. However, many small fish farmers do not benefit from this development to an adequate extent due to their low investment capacity and lack of access to quality inputs and appropriate knowhow, among other factors. varieties of species such as Tilapia, Pangus, Koi, Small Indigenous Species (SIS), and fresh water prawn. These species benefit poor fish farmers because of their high productivity and profitability, and their cultivation is within the investment capacity and skill level of small fish farmers. Katalyst is working with various service providers from the private sector in order to ensure greater inclusion of small farmers in the farmed fish value chain. With a combination of private sector incentives and Katalyst’s know-how, it is possible to harness the economic potential of the farmed fish sector for small farmers by improving the production and marketing of high-value fish species. “Small fish farmers will increase their incomes by diversifying into more profitable species and practices.” Vision In Phase 3 (2014 - 2017) of the project, Katalyst has identified that small farmers can increase their income drastically by culturing high yielding Implemented by Funded by What constraints do we address? High quality inputs such as fingerlings, commercial feed and aqua-chemicals are key factors for commercially profitable fish farming. However, small fish farmers lack access to these inputs as private companies usually cater to medium and large fish farmers only. Even when small farmers have improved access to quality inputs, they have limited knowledge on effective cultivation techniques. Additionally, improper post-harvest management practices by small farmers result in considerable wastage of produced fish. Katalyst works across these three areas (quality inputs; flow of information and knowledge; post-harvest management) in order to help increase the income of small and poor fish farmers. What changes do we want to see? To overcome the constraints above, Katalyst works together with a broad range of private sector actors: 150 local hatcheries will provide quality fingerlings to small fish farmers. Seven major feed companies will improve the quality and increase the quantity of fish feed available. More than one hundred hatcheries and six input companies will promote the benefits of high value fish species and offer training on effective cultivation techniques. Aqua-input companies, private packaging companies and traders will design improved post-harvest solutions for small farmers. With improved access to quality inputs, information on profitable cultivation techniques, and enhanced post-harvest skills, small fish farmers will be able to increase their income and lift themselves out of poverty. that will build the capacity of local hatcheries. By establishing linkages with international brood suppliers, the project is ensuring that hatcheries have access to reputed Tilapia, Pangus and Koi brood sources to cater for a growing demand of quality fingerlings. In order to improve the quality and quantity of fish feed, Katalyst is establishing linkages between feed manufacturing companies and suppliers of quality machineries and raw materials. To promote the culturing of high value species, Katalyst has developed sustainable business models in which hatcheries and input companies can expand their customer base through promotions and trainings targeted at small farmers. Katalyst is also undertaking innovative interventions with a few private sector procurement companies in promoting quality fish packaging and in establishing safe procurement channels in compliance with the safety standards, certification and traceability. Until December 2015, Katalyst’s interventions in the farmed fish sector have benefitted 81,500 farmers*. Districts Covered How do we realise these changes? In order to provide small farmers with quality fingerlings, Katalyst and the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Forum are developing a training model Katalyst Project Office House 20, Road 6, Baridhara Dhaka 1212 Bangladesh Phone +88 (02) 883 3172-4 Fax +88 (02) 883 5452 www.katalyst.com.bd www.swisscontact.org *Validated until September 2015.