SDF and partners launch regional AquaLivelihood Project to empower small-scale fish farmers and bolster nutrition security in South Asia

THE SAARC Development Fund (SDF), in partnership with leading national institutions and technical government agencies of the five SAARC member countries, officially launched the AquaLivelihood Project in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

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Graced by Fisheries Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar as the Chief Guest, the launch marks a pivotal regional effort to uplift smallholder fish farmers and improve nutrition security across the region.

The three-year regional initiative represents a total investment of $ 3.97 million, including a $3.23 million grant from the SDF and $ 739,109 in in-kind co-financing. The project will directly benefit over 120,000 rural households, 30% of whom are women, across Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

Titled “Livelihood Enhancement of Small-Scale Fish Farmers and Nutrition Security of Rural Masses in the SAARC Region through Aquaculture Development,” the project — known as AquaLivelihood — is spearheaded by the Indian Council for Agricultural Research-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIFA), in close collaboration with government agencies from each participating country: Department of Fisheries in Bangladesh, National Research and Development Centre for Aquaculture in Bhutan, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, India, Central Fisheries Promotion and Conservation Centre in Nepal, and the National Aquaculture Development Authority of Sri Lanka.

AquaLivelihood responds to two critical regional priorities: Strengthening the livelihoods of small-scale aquaculture farmers and addressing malnutrition through sustainable fish production systems.

The project will be implemented through three strategic components:

Survey and technology identification

Mapping aquaculture inputs, feed, seed, and promoting inclusive practices

Infrastructure development

Establishing pilot-scale feed mills and fish hatcheries to enhance local production

Capacity building and knowledge sharing