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Nutrition-Sensitive Aquaculture (Carp–Mola Polyculture): Improving Household Nutrition, Income, and Women’s Empowerment

Solution Overview

Source: World Fish

  • This solution promotes an integrated aquaculture model where nutrient-rich small indigenous species (SIS) such as mola (Amblypharyngodon mola) are co-cultured with Indian major carps in smallholder ponds and community tanks.
  • It directly addresses the triple challenge of rural malnutrition, gender inequality, and low farm productivity.
  • Developed and field-tested by WorldFish and partners in Odisha and Assam, the model demonstrates how aquaculture can move beyond income generation to actively improve micronutrient intake and dietary diversity.
  • Women’s Self-Help Groups (WSHGs) manage common water bodies under a community-based governance structure, generating both nutrition and livelihood outcomes.
  • he approach provides a low-cost, climate-resilient, and inclusive pathway for transforming aquaculture into a driver of rural food and nutrition security across Asia.
What We Do

Key Features & Benefits

·        Integrated carp–mola system: Combines fast-growing carps with micronutrient-rich mola or other SIS for improved yields and diet quality.

·        Nutrition-sensitive approach: Periodic mola harvests provide vitamin A, iron, and calcium—contributing to better family nutrition.

·        Women-led governance: Gram Panchayat tanks managed by WSHGs under Dept. of Mission Shakti, Govt. of Odisha.

·        Inclusive livelihoods: Builds women’s capacity in fish production, record keeping, and collective marketing.

·        Environmentally sustainable: Low-input polyculture system using natural pond productivity, suited for community and smallholder contexts.

Institutional convergence: Integrates fisheries, rural development, and nutrition departments for system-wide impact.

Where It Works and Where It Can Work

Implemented in:

·        Odisha, India: WSHG-managed Gram Panchayat tanks (WorldFish–Government of Odisha partnership.

·        Assam, India: Smallholder-based model piloted under the World Bank–funded APART Project, integrating mola in carp ponds ((WorldFish–Government of Assam partnership).

Potential regions for scaling:

·        South and Southeast Asia: Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam—where carp polyculture is established and small fish are culturally accepted.

·        Agroecologies: Floodplains, rainfed lowlands, rice–fish areas, and homestead ponds.

Farming Systems: Community-managed tanks, small ponds, and integrated rice–fish systems.

Evidence & Impact

  • Production & profitability: Carp–mola polyculture yields 2 t ha⁻¹ fish annually, with 150–300 kg mola ha⁻¹. WSHGs earn > INR 100,000 annually.
  • Nutritional outcomes: Regular mola consumption increased dietary diversity and vitamin A intake in participating households.
  • Women’s empowerment: WSHG members trained; women reported greater confidence, income control, and participation in local governance.
  • Social cohesion: Strengthened community management and equitable benefit-sharing among members.
  • For further evidence, see the document “Scaling community-based aquaculture for enhanced nutrition and women’s empowerment: lessons from Odisha, India”. 

Scalability & Adoption Support

 

Scalability Factors:

·        Proven model with standardized production, governance, and business protocols.

·        Adaptable to existing carp ponds or community tanks with minimal additional investment.

·        Supported by state government policies on women’s empowerment and nutrition.

 

Adoption Enablers:

·        Public–private partnerships for mola seed supply and market linkages.

·        Training modules and extension materials for local adaptation.

·        Integration into national schemes such as PMMSY, ICDS, and Mission Shakti.

·        Partner-Ready: Tested through multi-agency collaboration (WorldFish, GIZ, FAO, State Fisheries Departments) and aligned with SDGs 2, 5, and 14.

 

Contact Information & Partners

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