Category: Uncategorized

New Thesis Sheds Light on Gender Inequality and Resistance in Teknaf’s Dried Fish Value Chains

Post author By DFM-Admin
Post date 2025-02-28

The Dried Fish Matters (DFM) project is pleased to share a new Master’s thesis by Aklima Akter – DFM Master’s student at the University of Manitoba. Aklima’s thesis focuses on the gender dynamics within the dried fish value chains of Teknaf, Bangladesh. This research highlights the dual role of women as economic contributors and victims of patriarchal exploitation. Women work long hours in processing sites, facing financial exploitation, unequal treatment, and social stigma. Additionally, patriarchal control over their mobility and exclusion from fishing-related policies perpetuates their marginalization in the industry.

Despite these challenges, the thesis also shows how women actively resist these patriarchal constraints. Through strategies such as forming unofficial associations and using symbolic acts like clothing choices and housing locations, female laborers negotiate for better conditions and challenge the systems of oppression they face. These everyday engagements reveal the evolving ways women assert their agency within the dried fish value chains of Teknaf.

Photo credits: Derek Johnson

The full thesis is available here.

DFM’s ongoing research in South and Southeast Asia highlights the critical importance of considering context, particularly in relation to women’s roles within the dried fish value chains. Aklima’s thesis enriches the growing body of literature contributed by DFM scholars, students, and researchers.

Uncategorized

Insights into Non-Communicable Diseases: Book Reveals Emerging Patterns in Bangladesh

Post author By DFM-Admin
Post date 2024-05-01

DFM co-applicant, Dr. Emdad Haque, is lead editor of a new book titled “RED ALERT! Non-Communicable Diseases, Dietary Habits and Lifestyle in Bangladesh”. The book offers a profound exploration into Bangladesh’s shifting health dynamics through the lens of the epidemiological transition. This publication stands as a testament to the interdisciplinary approach needed to tackle complex health challenges.

Drawing from nationwide empirical surveys, the book links non-communicable diseases (NCDs) to dietary patterns, physical activity levels, and lifestyle factors across urban, semi-urban, and rural populations. Among the key findings are the alarming rise in hypertension and diabetes prevalence, outpacing neighbouring countries, and the striking correlation between urbanization and NCD prevalence. Noteworthy is the disparity in NCD burden between rural and urban populations, underscoring the urgent need for targeted interventions.

One of the noteworthy contributions to the book comes from the Dried Fish Matters (DFM) funded PhD student Sami Naim Farook, whose chapters in the book provide insightful examinations of the health status of the Indigenous Garo people in Dhaka, revealing lower diabetes rates but increasing hypertension, tobacco, alcohol consumption, and obesity among Garo women. In chapter eight of the book, Farook and colleagues highlight the prevalence of overweight and obesity among school-aged children, particularly in urban areas like Dhaka, reflecting sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy dietary habits. In chapter eleven, Farook and his co-authors examine the health impacts of shifting dietary patterns, such as a decline in grain consumption and the rise in meat consumption, and recommend holistic approaches to address the emerging challenges of non-communicable diseases in Bangladesh.

Reference:

Haque, C. E., Ahsan, G. U., & Islam, M. A. (Eds.). (2024). RED ALERT! Non-Communicable Diseases, Dietary Habits and Lifestyle in Bangladesh (First). The University Press Limited.

Uncategorized

Gendered Economies of Dried Fish in Asia

Post author By DFM-Admin
Post date 2024-04-03

The International Collective in Support of Fishworkers (ICSF)’s journal Yemaya recently published a summary of highlights of DFM’s participation in the 8^th Global Conference on Gender in Aquaculture and Fisheries (GAF-8) in Kochi, India, in November 2022. The article, co-authored by Derek Johnson, Nikita Gopal, Kyoko Kusakabe, Tara Nair, and Mirza Taslima Sultana and titled “The Gendered Economy of Dried Fish”, underscores the often-overlooked contributions of women in Asia’s dried fish economy.

The three DFM panels began with two presentations that summarized theoretical approaches to gender taken within the project. The remaining 13 presentations focused on different empirical cases of gender in social economies of dried fish from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, West Bengal, Gujarat, Kerala, Myanmar, and Cambodia. Discussions at GAF-8 underscored the pivotal role of gender and feminist perspectives in understanding the Asian dried fish economy. By applying feminist theory, the DFM project aims to tease apart the intricate webs of gendered labor, power dynamics, and structural inequalities shaping dried fish production and trade. It seeks to amplify the voices of women, whose contributions often go unrecognized.

The article points to the complexities of dried fish value chains from a gender perspective, highlighting the significant roles women play. The gendered nature of the dried fish economy extends beyond production to consumption, with gendered inequality present across the value chain. Despite their indispensable contributions, women often face barriers such as limited access to space, resources, and decision-making processes. These structural conditions perpetuate gender inequalities within the sector and must be a priority consideration for interventions to empower women and other marginalized participants in social economies of dried fish.

To read the full publication, PDF

Uncategorized

Dried Fish Matters India at INSEE Conference: Navigating Challenges, Embracing Opportunities

Post author By DFM-Admin
Post date 2024-03-03

The 12^th Biennial Conference of the Indian Society for Ecological Economics (INSEE) recently concluded at BML Munjal University, Haryana. Among the standout contributions was made by the Dried Fish Matters India team, whose participation in the conference illuminated the nuanced landscape of the dried fish sector in the country. In a panel discussion titled “Blue Fears and Blue Hopes: The Social Economy of Dried Fish in India,” the team presented findings from diverse regions – Kerala, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. Dr. Nikita Gopal, representing Kerala, highlighted the impacts of natural and human factors on dried fish processors, showcasing their resilience amidst challenges. Dr. Tara Nair of the Gujarat team discussed Gujarat’s unusual situation of being a top marine fish producer in a predominantly vegetarian state. The discussion emphasized the need for inclusive fisheries policies to support small-scale dried fish processors vulnerable to exploitation by more powerful economic actors.

Maharashtra’s challenges, including infrastructure developments and encroachment, were explored by Abhilasha Sharma. Increased online retailing in Maharashtra points to evolving opportunities for dried fish processors. Meanwhile, Prasanna Surathkal shed light on the impact of infrastructure and tourism projects on Karnataka’s coast, underscoring both challenges and positive strides, such as the establishment of a collective producer enterprise. The Dried Fish Matters India team’s brief but impactful presence at the INSEE Conference reflects a commitment to understanding the intricacies of the dried fish sector and advocating for its sustainable growth. Their contributions contribute to opportunities for collaboration to inform policy, governance, and development in this vital industry.

Uncategorized

DFM team member Dr. Shakuntala Thilsted on the importance of diversifying staple foods

Post author By DFM-Admin
Post date 2024-02-16

In an October 23 article in The Telegraph, Shakuntala Haraksingh Thilsted and Ismahane Elouafi argue for a transformative approach to global food production. The authors point to precarious human dependency on just six staple crops that account for 75 percent of the world’s plant-derived energy intake. The war in Ukraine has illustrated the risk of relying on such a limited food supply. Supply constraints in key staples have increased global food insecurity and led to a surge in malnutrition rates. Thilsted and Elouafi advocate for a shift towards diversification, urging nations to move beyond conventional food sources. The authors argue that finding alternative sources of high-quality nutrition is not an option but a necessity.

Thilsted and Elouafi propose a shift in global food supplies, advocating for the diversification beyond the traditional ‘big three’ crops – rice, maize, and wheat, and suggest considering overlooked but nutrient-rich and climate-resilient crops like quinoa and millets. They also advocate for adopting biofortified crops, such as orange-fleshed sweet potatoes and iron-enriched beans, to address micronutrient deficiencies. Thilsted and Elouafi highlight the potential of aquatic foods, with over 3,700 species offering a wealth of vitamins and essential fatty acids. The article highlights the urgent need to rethink and reinforce food systems by embracing a diverse range of underused, nutritious alternatives. These include, of course, dried fish.

Link to the article.

Uncategorized

DFM Working Paper 13 Sheds Light on Karnataka’s Dried Fish Processing Landscape

Post author By DFM-Admin
Post date 2024-01-26

The recently released Dried Fish Matters (DFM) Working Paper 13, “The Dried Fish Processors of Karnataka,” looks at the dynamics of Karnataka’s dried fish processing industry. The report is rich with figures that summarize the Karnataka Team’s data while reflecting on the implications of their findings about dried fish processing in the state. Led by researchers Amalendu Jyotishi, Ramachandra Bhatta, and Prasanna Surathkal, it sheds light on a tradition deeply rooted in Karnataka’s coastal heritage. The report is based on structured interviews with 271 processors in the state’s three coastal districts. It discusses the intricacies of dried fish production in relation to seasonality, geographical variation, primary species involved, and the crucial role played by women. Women constitute a staggering 95 percent of the surveyed processors! Mangaluru emerged as the primary production site, and anchovies and mackerel were the predominant species, constituting a substantial share of the total dried fish production volume. The study found dried fish producers to be predominantly necessity-driven entrepreneurs and shed light on processors’ socioeconomic challenges that often hinder their businesses’ growth.

Despite its historical significance and critical role in marginalized communities’ livelihoods, the dried fish processing segment grapples with challenges like reduced fish availability, economic losses, and policy neglect. The paper urges policymakers to treat the dried fish sector favourably within Karnataka’s seafood economy, highlighting the potential of dried fish to create livelihoods and enhance nutritional security. Recommendations include the introduction of welfare programs tailored for traditional small-scale fisher communities. Additionally, the academic community is encouraged to initiate studies on nutritional value, processing technology, and the cultural and social roles of dried fish. As Karnataka attracts investments in various sectors, the paper anticipates a shift in market structure and highlights the need for continued educational support to sustain this vital part of the coastal economy.

Download: PDF

Uncategorized

The Dynamics of Migration for Myanmar Women in Thailand’s Dried Fish Industry: A Study by Si Thu Lin

Post author By DFM-Admin
Post date 2024-01-12

Si Thu Lin, a master’s student at the Asian Institute of Technology, recently completed his program under the supervision of Dr. Kyoko Kusakabe with a study on Myanmar women migrant’s work in Thailand’s dried fish industry. In his work with women migrants in Samut Sakhon province of Thailand, Lin explored the challenges and aspirations of these women within the dried fish value chain. He looked at their struggles and identified paths toward empowerment. The dried fish industry emerges as a vital lifeline for migrant women. Lin’s study shed light on the complex factors influencing migrant women’s engagement, the perceived value of dried fish, and the many barriers Myanmar immigrant women face in this industry. Women who own dried fish enterprises face multifaceted challenges: limited access to resources, technology, education, and persistent discrimination. This context hinders gender equality in the sector. His study identified the diverse motivations that led women to become involved in the dried fish business, their resilience in the face of challenging life circumstances, and the allure of a culturally familiar trade. While market demand for dried fish products emerged as a powerful driving force, disparities in material wellbeing among participants persist. Lin’s study highlighted issues like legal status, job perceptions, financial struggles, and limited market expansion, all of which have an impact on migrant women. Beyond these challenges, however, Lin’s study emphasized the benefits of migrant women’s involvement in dried fish production on their relational and subjective wellbeing. That engagement fostered relationships and expanded social networks. Lin’s study thus lays the groundwork for a more inclusive and empowering narrative within the dried fish industry, urging stakeholders to take proactive measures to create an equitable environment, ensuring these resilient women have equal opportunities to thrive and contribute to the industry.

Thesis PDF

Uncategorized

DFM contributes to FAO Technical Paper 694 Small fish for food security and nutrition on the global importance of small fish

Post author By DFM-Admin
Post date 2023-11-24

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations’s (FAO) latest Technical Paper, “Small Fish for Food Security and Nutrition,” spotlights the transformative potential of small fish in nourishing populations worldwide. This comprehensive paper sheds light on the often-overlooked significance of small-scale fisherfolk and the nutritional richness found in small fish species. Traditionally consumed whole, these fish pack a punch with multiple micronutrients vital for health, particularly for vulnerable populations like women and young children.

The paper’s holistic approach, aligning with food systems frameworks, emphasizes the significance of small fish in nourishing vulnerable populations, marking a pivotal step towards sustainable and inclusive food systems. It delves into various facets – consumption, availability, access, utilization, stability, and sustainability of small fish in food systems, comprehensively addressing stakeholders, interactions, feedback, and outcomes.

The collaborative efforts behind this paper, led by Maarten Bavinck and Molly Ahern and supported by projects like SmallFishFood, Ikan-F3, Dried Fish Matters, and Fish4Food, exemplify the dedication to addressing global nutritional challenges.

In the realm of enhancing food security and nutrition, the chapter “The Promise of Dried and Fermented Small Fish Processing,” authored by DFM investigators, including Project Director Professor Derek Johnson, underscores the invaluable role that fish processing, especially drying and fermentation, plays in ensuring widespread access to highly nutritious small fish. These techniques not only facilitate extended storage and wider distribution but also cater to the nutritional needs of remote and underprivileged populations. The chapter highlights the diverse range of products stemming from small fish processing and underscores its economic and cultural significance. The chapter also sheds light on the challenges faced, including increased demand for fish meal and fish oil and inadequate management that pose significant risks for consumers and for the economic viability of small fish production. The chapter stresses the need for substantial public investment in innovative solutions that enhance product quality, improve labour conditions, and bolster supply chain governance to realize the promise of small fish for food security and nutrition.

For those interested, PDF