Upgrading pangas and tilapia value chains in Bangladesh

project summary

Growth in aquaculture is important because it can help alleviate poverty by providing food and creating jobs in Bangladesh. The purpose is to promote green growth in freshwater pangas/tilapia aquaculture by providing knowledge on how to improve water quality and farm management and exploit the market potential for farmed fish through value chains functioning. Focus is on water quality since pangas/tilapia might include contaminants, offflavors and be a bit yellow, not white, as preferred by the consumers at export markets.
Farm management, governance of value chains, knowledge on domestic/ international markets and on fish quality can improve the basis for sustainable growth, increase value added and prepare the sector for export, thereby providing livelihood for locals and foreign exchange. Knowledge is increased through senior research cooperation and by educating PhDs. Research questions are: To what extent are fish-depleting microorganisms, arsenic, lead and pesticides of economic importance? Can they be reduced? Do water quality initiatives pay? Who are the main actors in the value chain? What are the major bottlenecks? How are prices formed? How much are consumers willing to pay for improved quality of fish? Can chains be upgraded through governance, water and fish quality and export focus? The foundation is value chain analysis, economic optimization, applied economics and environmental science. The knowledge provided forms basis for assessing governance and firm management. It will be disseminated to actors in the chains.