Impact of aquaculture development on women : a case study of the Greater Noakhali Aquaculture Extension Project (GNAEP) Bangladesh | |
| Author | Nurunnaher |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.GD-06-07 |
| Subject(s) | Women in agriculture--Bangladesh Aquaculture--Bangladesh |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. GD-06-07 |
| Abstract | Small-scale aquaculture development has been initially promoted and implemented by the Greater Noakhali Aquaculture Extension Project (GNAEP) since 1998 in the three districts of Noakhali, Lakshmipur and Feni in the greater Noakhali area in Bangladesh. Currently, the project has been expected to be closed and it is desired to conduct an evaluation research for understanding the effects of this small-scale aquaculture development on women. Therefore, this research was undertaken in the project target area focusing on project assisted 4 target groups i) Pond poly culture (both men and women in one group );ii) Integrated Prawn Farming (men for rice-prawn and women for pond prawn farming); iii) Carp-prawn nursing (women only from women headed household); iv) Cage culture (women only regardless of MHH or WHH). Overall, the socio-economic status of fish men and women farmers in different aquaculture group was found that living standard is still in a poor condition due to low per capita income (165.49US$/capita/year).The other socio-economic conditions are limited land owned, land ownership (mostly equal for FFG, IPF WHH group and unequal for Cage group), level of literacy (women are more illiterate than men),poor housing condition (WHH have poorest, Cage HH have relatively good) and they are all vulnerable to nature to produce crops and fish in that area. Overall, it is found that project have positive impact to increase farmers' knowledge on fish culture, in some cases vegetable production, for all groups and for all men and women similarly. The economic analysis of aquaculture indicated that although fish income is the least for IPF farmers (due to flood washed away almost all fish last year) but total income is higher because they have recovered their loss by cultivating rice and doing non-agricultural works. Although WHH are getting lesser total income but getting highest fish income due to highest selling (98%) and lowest household fish consumption (2%) whereas cage farmers have highest fish consumption (52%) which is highest percent of household consumption among others. From the result discussion of gender division of labor, it is clear from the productive activities that women alone in the fish farming are higher in WHH and Cage farming and men alone are higher in the IPF group and together men and women both higher for fish farming in the FFG group. It is clear that men are spending higher time in a day for rice cropping and fish farming whereas women mostly are spending for vegetable gardening, poultry rearing and together with men fish farming and rice farming and compulsorily reproductive type of activities. There are many factors at the household and community level which influence men's and women's activities differently. These factors are mainly posed by men to women but affect differently women from male headed and female headed household. The results also indicated about the decision taken relation to fish that mostly FFG and IPF men are taking decision but consultation with wife increased considerably after involving project. WHH are the sole decision maker due to absence of male and although Cage group is women oriented but men are prioritizing still taking decision in all matter of fish production except income from fish. From overall discussion, it is clear that GNAEP intervention is rationale and reasonable for both men and women separately in the context of Bangladesh. In the concluding it can be said that neither the government concerned nor the development project/agencies can solve the various problems of women by integrating them among men, special programs for women only be part of the solution like WHH and Cage program but supply of service should be available timely and at the front of door. |
| Year | 2006 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. GD-06-07 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Other Field of Studies (No Department) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Gender and Development Studies (GD) |
| Chairperson(s) | Kusakabe, Kyoko |
| Examination Committee(s) | Earth, Barbara;Yakupitiyage, Amararatne;Demaine, Harvey |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Government of Japan |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2006 |