Title : Does Small Indigenous Species (sis) fish consumption contribute to household nutrition and health? Evidence from rural Bangladesh
Abstract:
Malnutrition and poor health are one among the top priorities when it comes to enhance human development. Fish in general and small indigenous species (SIS) in particular has the potential to play a significant role in ensuring adequate nutrition and health status. Using a two-year national rural representative panel data, this paper finds that fish is the top animal source food consumed across all demographic and income groups. While the non-SIS fish is contributing the major share of fish consumption, SIS consumption is declining. Using the individual level dietary intake data, we find that while non-SIS fish contributes more to the intake of energy, protein and fat, SIS contributes to the most essential calcium, iron, zinc and vitamin A. Hence it is important to analyze why this great contribution of SIS is being ignored. The analysis was influenced by the Ecological Systems Theory. We apply fractional logit model and instrumental variable probit regression to identify the determinants of SIS consumption and its effects on the health. Results show that SIS consumption is positively affected by higher distance to the main road and participation in social safety net programs. It is negatively influenced by higher education level of the household head and position of the household in the richest quintile. The effect model result shows that higher share of SIS in total fish consumption significantly reduces the incidence of illness. The findings of this study suggests that higher education and wealth do not necessarily translate into more awareness regarding nutrition. Awareness programs must target wider range of beneficiaries in order to promote SIS consumption. Integration of SIS into the existing aquaculture system must get more focus to ensure SIS availability and abundance.
