The technical collaboration between WorldFish and the Government of Odisha (India) reaches nutrition and income goals for over 151,407 people

A five-year collaboration between WorldFish and the Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Department (F&ARD) of the Government of Odisha was set to assist the State Fishery Policy supporting the development of inland fisheries and aquaculture in the region. This project officially launched in June 2016 and is set to conclude by March 2022. The F&ARD project seeks to increase fish productivity, improve household nutrition, improve public-private partnerships, and strengthen resource management. The improvement to food insecurity and poverty alleviation involves direct effects, such as an increase in consumption of fish per adult, and indirect effects, such as increased household income leading to the purchase of complimentary foods for diet diversity. In household ponds, beneficiaries have used improved feed and management practices. As a result of improved practices and activity interventions, beneficiaries show up to 48% more income from aquaculture as compared to those not involved in the project. Those involved with Carp & Mola polyculture, genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT), and reservoir nursery stocking activities presented higher incomes than the control group. In Carp - Mola polyculture, beneficiaries produced almost 100 kg more fish per year than those in the control group. The project has made the integration of women in aquaculture a primary focus, with 60,000 WSHG benefitting from Gram Panchayat tanks in increased income and decreased or similar food expenditure. Diet diversity and food availability across the project has increased, with project beneficiaries consuming up to 80% more fish (kg/AE/year) and increasing access to multiple food groups. 

Interdepartmental collaborations between government offices have increased, significantly boosting program outcomes, while new partnerships and collaborations have been developed to strengthen household livelihoods and food nutrition. Initiatives fostering open communication between stakeholders and integrative approaches has a high level of success. All interactions between stakeholders are perceived as improved, and although collaboration between local community and local government was considered the least effective, farmer's perspectives highlighted it as the most meaningful. Capacity building have been bolstered at multiple levels (i.e. individual, intra, and inter organizational level). Moreover, evidence shows a growing demand from the community to expand and increase farmer’s technical capacity. Access to technical trainings pertaining to aquatic fish production systems has significantly increased among WorldFish intervention beneficiaries across all household members. Key opportunities for future intervention involved access to ICT, improve access to credit.

Aquaculture innovations such as improved feed and feeding practices, use of improved fingerlings, pond preparation and maintenance have been extensively disseminated across Odisha’s fishery sector with high adoption rate among intervention beneficiaries.  High quality seeds have been made more accessible throughout Odisha in the last five years including improved strains such as genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT). Project participants overall beneficiary households have significantly higher fish productivity across the different types of intervention, harvesting 114% more fish on average (measured in kg /year) compared to control groups. They also display a lower intensity in the Multidimensional Poverty Index, indicating improved access to necessities, including drinking water and cooking fuel. A majority of households involved in interventions showed an increased or similar income from aquaculture activities, with particularly higher incomes in the case of reservoir open stocking. In most cases, the food expenditure is either lower or similar to the control groups.  This has led to intervention beneficiaries consuming a higher variety of fish species, and higher fish consumption per adult. Indeed, the study observed that food availability and utilization is better among intervention beneficiaries. The total quantity of fish consumed at household level as well as the variety of species consumed are higher among WorldFish beneficiaries (up to 80% more fish consumed, measured in kg/AE/year). Dietary diversity has been improved across most program beneficiaries since 2016, having access to multiple food groups. 

The project has also led to an improved perception among aquaculture farmers, with respondents in a household survey reporting that an increase in technical trainings and resources as their main driver for personal growth. Equitable access to aquatic productive resources has been significantly improved over the last 5 years. The the integration of both men and women in aquaculture has been met with great success. 

Achievements highlights in numbers:

• 151,407 people assisted to exit poverty
• 105,230 vulnerable women, men and children have improved nutrition and increased dietary diversity
• 4,960 hectares of area under fish farming using best management practices that are sustainable

In a short time, the program has supported Odisha in obtaining great results, which have been recognized widely at national level. making the Best Marine State in India.  The future of aquaculture and fisheries in the State holds great promises. The State Government is implementing several schemes that will shape the future of the sector and contribute to the achievement of several development goals.