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Helping Cooperatives Develop Fishponds In Rural Bangladesh

MANILA, PHILIPPINES (25 November 2001) - The Asian Development Bank is providing a US$900,000 grant to improve fishpond-related earning opportunities for the rural poor in Bangladesh. The grant will be financed by ADB's Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction (JFPR).

The project encourages a self-help approach and will finance small-scale income generating schemes such as fishponds in 600 locations throughout the country. Importantly, it will build up the capability of 100 water management cooperative associations (WMCAs) that represent subsistence and landless farmers. These will be community-based organizations with established records.

Under the project, the cooperatives will re-excavate small ponds and lease them for aquaculture. They will also purchase tools and equipment for aquaculture and the breeding of ducks and other livestock as well as fertilizer, seeds, low lift pumps, and farm machinery. The project will provide training for agriculture, aquaculture, and livestock breeding.

The aim is to establish a model for water management cooperative associations that can promote productive initiatives as well as manage water resources.

The JFPR is funded by the Government of Japan, which made an initial contribution of 10 billion yen (approximately $90 million) in 2000, followed by an additional commitment of 7.9 billion yen (approximately $65 million) in 2001. JFPR projects directly target poor people and prioritize innovative approaches that have a demonstration effect.

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