Integrated rice-fish farming system in Bangladesh: An ex-ante value chain evaluation framework

Abstract

Rice and fish are an important source of food and nutrition security, income, and livelihood options for many people in Bangladesh. Integrated rice-fish farming systems are a potential option which respond to scarce land and water resources but their potential has not been fully explored in the country. Thus, this study assesses the ex-ante socio-economic competitive potential of this technology, as well as the crucial factors for its widespread adoption and diffusion. To assess the true performance of an activity, we take into account its upstream and downstream actors who are directly or indirectly related to that activity. The overall quantitative results from gross margin, partial budgeting and gendered employment analyses show positive benefits due to the introduction of rice-fish technology instead of rice monoculture in Bangladesh.