Small fish meets nourishment of mothers, children

RANGPUR, July 19 (BSS): Production of micronutrient-enriched small fishes has been increasing satisfactorily in recent years in rural Bangladesh to effectively meet nourishment of the malnourished pregnant women, lactating mothers and babies.

Following increased production and consumption of small fishes, malnutrition of the pregnant women, lactating mothers and babies in rural areas, has been reducing maternal, neonatal and infant deaths and permanent blindness.

According to the concerned experts, enhanced production and optimum intake of small fishes like "Mola", "Darkina", and "Dhela" substantially prevents malnutrition of the women and children, especially belonging to the poorer families in rural areas.

Rangpur Hub Manager Dr Nahiduzzaman for WorldFish of the USAID-funded Cereal Systems Initiative for South Asia in Bangladesh (CSISA-BD) said small fish production has been increasing in smaller ponds, canals, wetlands and crop fields in rural areas.