completed · WASH
Fish feed pioneer Him Dana empowers Nepali fish farmers
Fish consumption is on the rise in Nepal, especially in urban areas. Presently, with 1.5 kg per person per year, it is still the lowest in South Asia. This is mostly, because seventy percent of the fish available on the market is Indian import of dubious quality. To fulfil the increasing demand for fresh fish, fish farming is on the rise in the lower parts of Nepal (Terai). Some 25,000 farmers have fish ponds, totalling 8,000 ha. The yields are well below South Asia average.The local partner, Himalayan Aqua Agritech Pvt., Ltd started a fingerling ("baby fish") production farm in 2005. She noticed that her customers, the fish farmers, had low yields. This was mostly due too poor quality fish food. Almost all fish food was solid and either disintegrated in the water or sunk to the bottom of the fish pond, unavailable to the fish.The owner was introduced to the applicant, Bokkers Holding B.V., in 2007 and together they looked into the possibilities to produce and sell proper fish food. In 2012, the local partner purchased a small extruder. The feed produced was tested at HAAP and at some customers' fish farms.After this turned out to be successful, they decided to set up a joint venture, Him Dana, to produce fish feed and provide extension services to fish farmers. Taken advantage from the fact that the local partner is a respected female entrepreneur, they want to encourage female farmers to set up fish farms, using Him Dana's fingerlings and fish feed.As fish farming in Nepal is commercially risky business, it is impossible to receive a full loan for investments, especially for setting up the extension services and a trial fish pond.
Overview
About this project
Fish consumption is on the rise in Nepal, especially in urban areas. Presently, with 1.5 kg per person per year, it is still the lowest in South Asia. This is mostly, because seventy percent of the fish available on the market is Indian import of dubious quality. To fulfil the increasing demand for fresh fish, fish farming is on the rise in the lower parts of Nepal (Terai). Some 25,000 farmers have fish ponds, totalling 8,000 ha. The yields are well below South Asia average.The local partner, Himalayan Aqua Agritech Pvt., Ltd started a fingerling ("baby fish") production farm in 2005. She noticed that her customers, the fish farmers, had low yields. This was mostly due too poor quality fish food. Almost all fish food was solid and either disintegrated in the water or sunk to the bottom of the fish pond, unavailable to the fish.The owner was introduced to the applicant, Bokkers Holding B.V., in 2007 and together they looked into the possibilities to produce and sell proper fish food. In 2012, the local partner purchased a small extruder. The feed produced was tested at HAAP and at some customers' fish farms.After this turned out to be successful, they decided to set up a joint venture, Him Dana, to produce fish feed and provide extension services to fish farmers. Taken advantage from the fact that the local partner is a respected female entrepreneur, they want to encourage female farmers to set up fish farms, using Him Dana's fingerlings and fish feed.As fish farming in Nepal is commercially risky business, it is impossible to receive a full loan for investments, especially for setting up the extension services and a trial fish pond.
Progress
86%- Plan
- Implementation
- Outcomes
Alignment