Rice-fish systems make sense, in more ways than one!

The WorldFish-IRRI Project on the Development of Rice- Fish Systems (RFS) in the Ayeyarwady Delta, Myanmar: a Nutrition Perspective

Objective: The overall aim of the project is to improve productivity andprofitability of rice-fish systems in Myanmar through diversification ofproduction in rice-based farming systems and landscapes, enhanced resilienceof rice-based farming systems, and delivering increased farmer incomes,improved food and nutrition security, and enhanced gender equity.

Background: Rice and fish, which are staples in the Myanma diet, are majoragricultural production sectors in Myanmar. However, under-nutrition, anemia,and micronutrient deficiencies remain prevalent, particularly among the poor,rural populations. Nationwide, 29% of children <5 years of age are stunted, butin the Ayeyarwady Region, the prevalence is 46% (MDHS, 2015-2016). Inequitiesin food access (geographic and seasonal) and cultural practices affect thequantity and quality of diets (NPAFN, 2011-2015).

Project Site: Tar Pet West Village, Maubin Township, Maubin District, Ayeyarwaddy RegionMethodology: The experiment was designed to compare the production and economic performance of three ricevarieties integrated with fish and without fish from 1 July 2016 to 31 October 2017. Two improved varieties of summerrice (Yaenelo 4 and 7) were compared with the farmers’ variety (Thee Htat Yin), while mixed-sex tilapia seed at 2fish/m2 (total rice area was considered for calculating land area) and silver barb were stocked in the trenches.Prototype solar tunnel dryer for drying fish was tested in the village.

Results:Although no nutritional measures were taken, the following are the reports from focus group discussions with farm household members: 1. Farmed fish became regularly available in their diet compared to previous seasonal catch of wild fish.2. Women, because of their traditional roles in the preparation and selling of fish, played a greater part in making decisions about food choice and distribution.3. The women perceived that their diets became morenutritious with the addition of fresh fish, dried fish, and fish paste. Among the project outcomes, rice-fish farms generated US$100/ha more income than the comparison group.

Conclusions:• From a nutrition perspective, rice-fish systems have the potential to provide diets of appropriate quality and quantity,

particularly for rural households. By producing their own fish, rice farmers need not depend on market forces for their access to animal source protein, while continuing to provide rice as a complementary source of calories and other nutrients.

• The production of fish could provide women with greater leverage for intra-household food allocation and income.

AcknowledgmentThis project was implemented by the International Rice Research Institute and World Fish in partnership with the Myanmar Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation, Department of Agriculture , Department of Agricultural Research and Department of Fisheries, with funding from the Australian Government through the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research and the Australian Aid.

Recommendations:• Farmers could be introduced to rice varieties with higher nutrient content, such as high-zinc rice, to further optimize the

nutritional contribution of rice.• The consumption of rice bran, either as part of brown rice or as a food product, should be encouraged to maximize the

nutrients that could be obtained from rice and to address nutritional problems. For example, thiamine, a nutrient in rice bran, could prevent beri-beri, a disease that is still prevalent in Myanmar.

• The project could stimulate the inclusion of nutrition-sensitive interventions for other agricultural projects in Myanmar and in the region.

Cecilia Acuin1, Romeo V. Labios1, Aung Myo Thant1, Yan Lin Aung1, Su Su San1, Carlito Balingbing1, Martin Gummert1,Grant Singleton1, Karim

Manjurul2, Lemlem Aregu Behailu2, Nilar Sein3 . 1International Rice Research Institute, 2World Fish, 3Department of Fisheries

Rice field with 3m width x 0.8 m depth fish refuge on one side.