Women in Small-Scale Aquaculture in North-West Bangladesh

Abstract

Fish culture in small ponds, ditches, or rice-field plots has become important to a large number of poor farmers in north-west Bangladesh. In a situation of decreased fish supply from natural resources due to degradation and/or over-exploitation, small-scale aquaculture has been identified as the best alternative to ensure fish supply for household consumption and income generation. However, the involvement of women in this activity is very limited. Social and cultural constraints cause less mobility of women with less involvement in outside income-earning activities. Women are largely involved in unpaid housework and crop production and livestock rearing within their homestead areas. This study shows that there is a great potential for integration of crop-livestock-fish in smallscale aquaculture production with active involvement of women.