Gender-inclusive aquaculture transformation in India

• Jul 26, 2025
• 2 min

Inland aquaculture and fisheries offer significant opportunities to improve women’s livelihoods, incomes, and resilience in Bihar, India. However, many fisherwomen face challenges, such as unequal work distribution, lack of decision-making power, limited financial resources, poor access to technology, and restricted roles in the value chain beyond fish production.

To address these challenges, MSC implemented a multiyear gender-inclusive inland aquaculture transformation initiative. MSC strengthened women’s self-help groups (SHGs) and supported smallholder fisherwomen through strategic consulting and capacity-building programs. We provided training to enhance technical skills in fisheries, facilitated access to better fish species, introduced sustainable aquaculture practices, and promoted nutrition awareness through behavioral change communication.

One of MSC’s most impactful interventions was the establishment of Matsya Sakhis—trained experts on aquaculture and fisheries from the community. These experts are equipped with the necessary knowledge and tools to improve fish farming, enhance nutrition literacy, and advocate for gender equality in the fisheries sector.

The program also drove a strong nutrition awareness campaign using puppet videos, recipe booklets, and community workshops, which benefited adolescent girls and young children. The project empowered fisherwomen through enhanced control over resources, improved household nutrition, more income, and long-term resilience.

The program reached 200,000 households across 2,300 ponds and significantly improved fish production and household nutrition. Household fish consumption increased as families started to consume 15% more large fish species and 85% more small fish varieties directly from their ponds. The initiative also contributed to Bihar’s aquaculture sector by generating an estimated economic value of more than USD 13 million.

The Gates Foundation commissioned this project.