Women and Small-Scale Freshwater Aquaculture in Bangladesh

This book is concerned with the involvement of women in aquaculture in rural Bangladesh, which focus on the various fish farming activities of women to assess their impact on the life and livelihood of rural women fisher folk with a particular focus on the issue of empowerment. Based on qualitative and quantitative data from women fisher in Trishal Upazila of Mymensigh district in Bangladesh, it was evident that women were involved in various activities such as pond preparation, pre-stocking management and fry stocking, feed and fertilizer application, fish harvesting and marketing etc. It was also found that fish production has increased due to involvement of women. The study reveals that lack of sufficient fund, poor marketing facilities, and inadequate supply of fry and lack of technological knowhow to be the important constraints for fish farming of the area. Most of the women households in the study areas have improved their socioeconomic status through involvement in fish farming activities. It has been observed that participation in fish farming has empowered women in making decisions, controlling the asset, consumption and mobility.