This review evaluates opportunities for innovation across aquaculture value chains to alleviate poverty in Bangladesh and India. It is structured to answer two questions:
- What are the most promising aquaculture production systems and geographical locations where development funding to stimulate innovation could enhance poverty reduction?
- What are the most promising innovations across aquaculture product value chains that could enhance poverty reduction?
The review presents the evidence that aquaculture innovation can contribute to poverty reduction and describes the mechanisms by which aquaculture innovation can reduce poverty through enhanced income generation and human nutrition. Opportunities for innovation to contribute to sustainable aquaculture development are discussed. Analysis of the status and recent significant growth in aquaculture in both Bangladesh and India is presented. Medium- and large-scale producers are included within the scope of this review as increased production on such farms can result in employment and make fish more affordable for poor consumers.
A systematic assessment is then presented of examples of aquaculture production systems (and associated value chains) that have had a significant and sustained impact in terms of poverty alleviation. Opportunities and constraints for poverty alleviation across value chains are reviewed, as is the role that innovation has played.