BIDS Fortnightly Seminar 2021
Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) organized a seminar as part of the organization’s series of BIDS Fortnightly Seminar 2021-2022 on October 21, 2021 at 2:30 pm. Dr. Badrun Nessa Ahmed, Research Fellow of BIDS presented her research titled as “The Role of Homestead Fish Ponds for Household Nutrition Security in Bangladesh” which she completed alongside Prof. Dr. Harmann Waibel, Head and Executive Director, Institute of Development and Agricultural Economics Leibniz Universität Hannover, Germany. Dr. Binayak Sen, Director General of BIDS chaired the event. The seminar was conducted in a hybrid format. Mr. Shykh Seraj, Director and Head of News, Channel I, Dr. Quazi Shahabuddin, ex-DG of BIDS, Prof. Dr. M A Sattar Mandal, Former Member of Planning Commission (Gen. Econ.; Agriculture), Govt. of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, Dr. Harmann Waibel, Professor Abdul Bayes, Dr. Mohiuddin Alamgir, Former Research Director, BIDS, Dr. Kazi Iqbal, Dr. Anwara Begum, Dr. Mohammad Yunus, Senior Research Fellows of BIDS spoke in the seminar, among other distinguished guests.
This study showed that in Bangladesh, fish is a major source of animal protein and there is a growing demand for fish in the country. Homestead pond aquaculture is one of the prominent aquaculture technologies practiced in Bangladesh. Major proportion from homestead pond production goes for home consumption, and the surplus is supplied to the local market. However, the dikes are used for the cultivation of vegetables and timber trees. Therefore, homestead producers have available and easy access of vegetables and fish year the round. Moreover, the additional income from selling fish is also contribution to increase their household income. Keeping the role of homestead aquaculture in mind, this study examined whether aquaculture production improved the nutrition conditions and dietary diversity of households in Bangladesh. The result showed that income from aquaculture has positive and significant effects on household nutritional outcomes. Home production of fish increases household consumption, calories intake and improves households’ dietary diversity. The researchers of this study therefore recommended that the Bangladesh Department of Fisheries (DoF) should reconsider its view on the role of homestead pond production and give homestead ponds more recognition in its extension activities for better nutritional outcome especially for low-income fishing households.