This document summarizes a project funded by IFAD that promoted the production of micronutrient-rich small fish and orange flesh sweet potatoes in Dinajpur, Bangladesh. The project introduced carp-mola polyculture in ponds and rice fields to increase small fish production. It also distributed sweet potato vines to farmers and provided training on cultivating orange flesh varieties. As a result of these efforts, small fish contribution to total fish production increased from 4.6% to 29% between 2010-2012. One farmer case study showed successful cultivation of both small fish and orange flesh sweet potatoes, with production reaching 84 kg across three varieties. The project helped improve local diets and incomes through the adoption of nutrient-rich

1. IFAD funded
Small Fish and Nutrition Project
Manos Kumar Saha
Research Assistant
Promotion of Orange Flesh
Sweet Potato

2. Production Technologies in pondProduction Technologies in pond
Promotion of micronutrient-rich small fish (mola, darkina)
carp polyculture technologies in ponds and rice fields
 Seasonal ponds
 Perennial ponds
 Pond-connected to rice fields

3. Production Technologies in pondProduction Technologies in pond
Harvesting of
small fish
Collection of
small fish (mola)
Stocking of
mola with carp
Pond
management
 Identification of
sources
 Harden the fish
 Transportation
the fish
 Broodfish
rearing
 Stocking
density
(100-150g
mola/decimal)
 Stocking
Season
(March - April)
 Pond
preparation
 Fertilization
 Feeding
 Fencing/
conservation
 Harvesting
period
 Harvesting
frequency
 Harvesting net

4. Fish Production in Dinajpur ProjectFish Production in Dinajpur Project
AreaArea
• In 2011, fish production increased 28% (387 kg/ha) where as
small fish production increased 374% (243 kg/ha).
• In 2012, fish production increased 74% (1322 kg/ha) where
small fish 191% (589 kg/ha) than last year.

5. Fish Production in Dinajpur ProjectFish Production in Dinajpur Project
AreaArea

6. Contribution of small fish in DinajpurContribution of small fish in Dinajpur
areaarea
• Small fish contribution in 2010 was 4.6%, in 2011 it
was 17% and in 2012 it reaches at 29%.
• Mola contribution in 2010 was 0%, in 2011 it was 8%
and in 2012 it stands on 21%.

7. Fish Production in Dinajpur areaFish Production in Dinajpur area
• Total no. of HHs: 733
• Total no. of ponds: 489
• Average pond water Area: 10 dec
• Average mola production in 2012: 655 kg/ha
• Average income from mola production: 563 BDT/ dec
• Average income from fish production: 1820 BDT/
dec
• Average cost for fish production: 496 BDT/ dec
• Average consumption of mola: 60%

8. Fish Production in Dinajpur areaFish Production in Dinajpur area

9. OFSP Cultivation at DinajpurOFSP Cultivation at Dinajpur
Beside the carp-mola polyculture system,
Orange Flesh Sweet Potato (OFSP)
cultivation has been introduced in small
scale
2011-12
•Distributed 3500 Sweet Potato Vine among 32
farmers on November 23, 2011
•Varieties were SP-4: 1500, SP-7: 1300 and SP-8:
700
•These Vain were collected from BRAC Seed Farm,
Birol Dinajpur
•Vine were purified by using pesticide Bavistin
before distribution

10. OFSP Cultivation at DinajpurOFSP Cultivation at Dinajpur
2011-12
• A small orientation of cultivation of Sweet
Potato was done during distribution of the
vine
• A leaflet on “Nutritional Value of Orange Flesh
Sweet Potato and its Cultivation Technology”
(in Bangla) distributed to the farmer along
with the Vine
• Farmers fenced their plots by bamboo and net
to safe the plots

11. OFSP Cultivation at DinajpurOFSP Cultivation at Dinajpur
2011-12
• A signboard mentioning the farmer’s name and plot
area were placed for better extension
• Average production was 20-25 kg from 0.4 decimal
area (100 vines)
• Net profit was BDT 250-350

12. OFSP Cultivation at DinajpurOFSP Cultivation at Dinajpur
2011-12
• Farmers used the potato for HH consumption
and sale
• Farmers also used the potato leaf as leafy
vegetable for HH consumption.

13. OFSP Cultivation at DinajpurOFSP Cultivation at Dinajpur
2012-13
• Distributed 10500 Sweet Potato Vines among 85 farmers on 20-21
November, 2013
• Varieties were SP – 7 & SP – 8
• These Vain were collected from BRAC Seed Farm, Birol Dinajpur

14. OFSP Cultivation at DinajpurOFSP Cultivation at Dinajpur
2012-13
• A daylong training conducted for 30 selected
Lead Farmers on Nov 02, 2012, which was
facilitated by Mr. Kazal Kumar Basak
• A cooking demonstration of OFSP Leaves for its
taste evaluation was conducted on March 14,
2013
• The final production data is not yet collected

15. OFSP Cultivation at DinajpurOFSP Cultivation at Dinajpur
2012-13
• OFSP is added with mola fish processing and cooking demonstration
program specially for the minor children

16. OFSP Cultivation at DinajpurOFSP Cultivation at Dinajpur

17. Case storyCase story
OFSP is sustained successfully by the family
of Gazendra Nath Roy and Noni Bala Roy.
The cultivated small fish (mola) with carp into
pond and OFSP with other vegetable beside
the pond
2011-12
•They prepared land about 0.8 decimal for
cultivating OFSP
•They got only 100 vines of OFSP (SP-7) and
planted these into 0.4 decimal land
•They also collected local sweet potato
variety and planted these rest of the
prepared land
2011-12
2012-13

18. Case storyCase story
2011-12
• They found 24 kg OFSP and 12 kg local SP
• They consumed 42% (15 kg), Sold 39% (14 kg) and given away to relative
and neighbors 19% (7 kg)
• Consumed OFSP leaves about 15-20 days
• Neighbors also collected OFSP leaves for testing several times

19. Case storyCase story
2011-12
• Several visitors visited the cultivated plot
Dr. Benoy Kumar Barman, WorldFish and
Shirin Afroj and Dr. Shamina, HKI
Finn Thilsted, Ex. Embasedor (Denmark),
Subrata Mandal and ATM Eunus (WFC)

20. Case storyCase story
2011-12
• Several visitors visited the cultivated plot
DoF Officials of Rangpur and Dinajpur
and IFAD Project staffs of Rangpur and
Sunamganj
Sonia Allauca, WorldFish

21. Case storyCase story
2012-13
• OFSP cultivated in about 1.2 decimal
land
• Collected another variety from
neighbor farmer (SP-8)
• Cultivated 3 varieties (SP-7, SP-8
and local variety)
• Consumed OFSP Leaves about 35-40
days and cooked with other leafy
vegetables
• Cultivating period was 6 months
(November 5, 2012 to April 30, 2013)

22. Case storyCase story
2012-13
• OFSP is cultivated along with other vegetable (brinjal, pumpkin, etc)
• Irrigation done for all the vegetables
• Used only organic fertilizer (cow dung), no inorganic fertilizer is used
• The land is also used for fruit garden (Lichi and mango)
• Found total 84 kg (SP-7: 49, SP-8: 5 kg and local variety: 30 kg)

23. Case storyCase story