Women in fisheries sector and entrepreneurship development: Steps for improvement

Abstract

Aquaculture now plays a multi-disciplinary role and aims at providing food security generating employment; economic gains the optimum utilization of resources and finally upliftmcnt of the socio-economical status for those who are directly or indirectly connected with exploitation, production and processing of fish. It has vast potential in providing livelihood security as well as fulfilling the nutritional requirements of the growing population. Traditionally, aquaculture in Southeast Asia has been carried out at the household level with family members often contributing to different activities at specific times. In recent years, it has become a commercial activity and easily accessible in peri-urban areas with access to inputs and markets. Improvement in fish breeding and husbandry technologies, as well as the introduction of new or modified species, mainly through government and non-government organization (NGO) helped in increasing production levels through small-scale rural aquaculture.