A sustainable approach to malnutrition eradication

nutrition-sensitive aquaculture, consumption pattern and household dynamics in Bangladesh

verfasst von

Nusrat Zaitun Hossain

betreut von

Ulrike Grote

Abstract

Malnutrition continues to be a pressing concern in many low- and middle-income countries across Asia and Africa, with Bangladesh serving as a prominent example. Fish is a primary source of protein and micronutrients in the diet of people. Research shows that small indigenous species (SIS) are nutritionally superior to conventionally farmed fish, containing higher levels of vitamin A, calcium, iron, and zinc. However, their availability is declining due to habitat loss, overfishing, and rising demand, making them less accessible and increasingly unaffordable for poor households. In response, nutrition-sensitive aquaculture which integrates nutrient-rich SIS into traditional carp systems has emerged as a promising solution, particularly as aquaculture now contributes the largest share to the overall fish supply. Despite its potential, several barriers continue to limit the expansion of carp-SIS systems. Chief among them is the lack of a commercial framework for producing and distributing SIS seed, a stark contrast to the well-established systems for species such as tilapia and carp. Improving the productivity of carp-SIS polyculture systems, particularly in homestead ponds, requires the adoption of enhanced pond management practices. However, historically, the commercial aquaculture sector has prioritized growth and volume over nutritional value, thereby side-lining SIS in both research and production. A deeper understanding of the factors that drive both the adoption and disadoption of improved pond management techniques (IPMTs) is therefore essential for designing more effective and sustainable interventions. Additionally, the long-term benefits of IPMT adoption, particularly within carp-SIS polyculture systems in homestead ponds, remain underexplored, underscoring the need for focused analysis to unlock their full potential in enhancing productivity and nutritional outcomes. A clear understanding of the determinants and nutritional impacts of SIS consumption is crucial to ensuring the long-term sustainability of carp-SIS polyculture. Research on the drivers and health impacts of SIS consumption remains limited, despite well-established evidence of their nutrient-rich content. Understanding the role of women’s empowerment within aquaculture households is equally important. While women often participate in household decision-making, significant lacking persist in access to financial services, control over productive assets and exposure to social groups or extension services. These raise important questions about the extent to which women’s empowerment influences fish production and nutritional outcomes, questions that remain largely unanswered due to a lack of quantifiable evidence in the context of aquaculture. Consequently, this dissertation intends to examine the interplay between nutrition-sensitive homestead aquaculture, improved pond management techniques in carp-SIS polyculture, patterns of fish production and consumption, the role of SIS and non-SIS fish consumption in household health and finally the association of women’s empowerment with overall fish production, household diet and health indicators. The specific objectives of this dissertation can be summed up as: (a) Examine the adoption and sustainability of improved pond management techniques in nutrition-sensitive carp–SIS polyculture systems within homestead aquaculture, (b) Assess the economic and wellbeing impacts of these techniques on rural households, (c) Explore the determinants and nutritional effects of small indigenous species (SIS) consumption, and (d) Investigate how women’s empowerment in aquaculture households influences aquaculture production, dietary and health indicators. Each of these four objectives corresponds to a distinct article comprising this dissertation. This dissertation draws on multiple datasets, with the first and second articles using two-wave panel data from 234 households in Barishal district (2014 and 2022), collected under the EU-funded Agriculture and Nutrition Extension Project (ANEP) and then by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) funded project promoting carp–SIS polyculture and improved pond management. The third article employs panel data from the Bangladesh Integrated Household Survey (BIHS), conducted by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), covering 5503 rural households surveyed in 2011-12 and 2018-19. The fourth article relies on cross-sectional data from the 2018-19 BIHS, using a subsample of 874 aquaculture households with complete Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture Index (WEAI) data. The four articles employ context-specific data analysis methods. The first article applies descriptive and econometric analyses including fixed effects Poisson and negative binomial models to examine the adoption of IPMTs. The second article uses a two-stage least squares instrumental variable (2SLS IV) model to estimate the wellbeing impacts of IPMT adoption, addressing endogeneity with theory-driven instruments. The third article draws on panel data to analyze trends and determinants of small indigenous species (SIS) consumption, using probit, fractional logit, and instrumental variable (IV) probit regressions. The fourth article explores associations of women’s empowerment with aquaculture, nutrition and health indicators using OLS and probit models, with multiple empowerment specifications and robustness checks. The results of the four articles reveal a complex but promising picture: nutrition-sensitive aquaculture can transform rural livelihoods, but its success depends on affordability, inclusivity, and systems that support resilience from the pond to the plate. To begin with, improved pond management techniques in homestead aquaculture helped rural households with homestead ponds triple their harvests of SIS, boosting both fish consumption and sales. Yet, while households initially adopted these techniques, many later abandoned them due to rising costs and climate challenges such as excessive rainfall. The promised higher yields were offset by economic burdens, particularly due to costly inputs such as commercial feed. Despite these hurdles, the benefits are clear: adopting these methods improves nutrition and reduces poverty. While improved pond management techniques lead to higher fish yields, their financial benefits are limited by high input costs. This suggests use of alternative and organic low-cost substitutes. Meanwhile, SIS remain a vital source of micronutrients, particularly for rural and less affluent households. Although consumption declines over time, its health benefits are evident, with higher intake linked to reduced incidence of household illness. Empowered women play a key role in aquaculture productivity. However, deep-rooted structural inequalities - economic vulnerability, geographic isolation, and household power imbalances - have more influence over dietary and health indicators than empowerment alone. Collectively, these findings offer critical insights into how nutrition-sensitive aquaculture can be optimized through sustainable technologies, inclusive practices, and context-specific policies. By highlighting the interplay of ecological, economic, and social dimensions, particularly the roles of small indigenous species and women’s empowerment, this dissertation contributes to a deeper understanding of the pathways linking aquaculture to nutrition and rural development. The evidence lays a foundation for integrated, scalable interventions that are resilient, equitable, and sustainable in confronting the challenges of food systems in Bangladesh and beyond.

Organisationseinheit(en)

Institut für Umweltökonomik und Welthandel

Typ

Dissertation

Anzahl der Seiten

123

Publikationsdatum

08.08.2025

Publikationsstatus

Veröffentlicht

Ziele für nachhaltige Entwicklung

SDG 2 – Kein Hunger, SDG 13 – Klimaschutzmaßnahmen

Elektronische Version(en)

https://doi.org/10.15488/19362 (Zugang: Offen)