“Opposed to popular belief, fish and fishery products are much more than animal protein. When well processed, prepared, and consumed, fish is an invaluable source of vitamins, minerals, and unique omega-3 fatty acids,” reads an article on food loss and waste in fish value chains by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
This has been reflected through various past and ongoing experiments using fish-based diets at the global and regional levels. The recent success story of such an experiment is from Assam.
To quote government sources, the Kamrup district administration implemented a pilot project named Matsya Paripushti in 2022-23 under the Prime Minister’s Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). The project catered to around 3000 children aged 3-10 across 55 Anganwadi centres and 43 lower primary schools.
The International Centre for Living Aquatic Resources Management, also known as WorldFish, was entrusted to study the project’s impact, and the results are promising.
According to the data, there is a significant drop in the underweight rate from 13.79% to 8.33%, while severe stunting dips from 14.39% to 10.76% among Anganwadi children. The average BMI among lower primary school children increased from 15.54 to 16.11, with an increase in weight from 23.83 kg to 25.12 kg, and an increase in height from 122.83 cm to 123.95 cm.
Kamrup District Commissioner Keerthi Jalli unveiled the details of the project and stated that the fish powder-based meals not only aided the children’s growth but also empowered local fish farmers as the fish powder was procured from them. The model sustainability certainly holds promises for other districts and the other northeastern states as well.
Such experiments have already been proven at a global level. In a study “Effect of Fish-Based Diet on Malnourished Children: A Systematic Review” published by the National Library of Medicine, US, a systematic review from 2000-2021 was conducted to ascertain whether fish-based diets are a viable option to tackle malnutrition in children. Eight experimental studies focusing on interventions like fish-based wafers, cookies, and fortified porridges, were taken for review.
The study finds dried fish powder to be very effective in improving body weight in malnourished children. The review highlights that fish-fortified meals better children’s nutritional health and promote growth.
In another study published by Oxford University Press, the efficacy of dried fish powder supplements among caregivers and young children in Zambia was assessed. It was found to be “well placed to fill nutritional gaps” among the participants. Save the Children International, and the US Agency for International Development, have a detailed brief on the importance of fish powder-based meals during infancy. Named Project NOURISH, they share a detailed report on how incorporating small fish powder during the first 1,000 days of a child’s life helps in nourishment and also mitigating food insecurity.
The northeastern states have been facing food security concerns and nutrition deficiency issues for a long. As per the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) report, 35 per cent of children in Assam under the age of five were found to be stunted, 22 per cent were wasted, 9 per cent were severely wasted and 33 per cent were underweight.
Meghalaya topped the stunting chart in the whole of India with 47 per cent under the age of five, Nagaland with 33, Tripura with 32, Mizoram with 29, Manipur with 23, and Sikkim with 22 per cent, among the northeastern states. The other statistics also show concerning attributes. In such a scenario, it is paramount to take decisive measures to enhance the nutritional requirements of children.
Considering the demography of the northeastern states, including fish powder in meals should not be that difficult. A nutrient-rich khichdi is an alternative for those who do not consume fish. Kamrup DC Keerthi Jalli revealed that as per the pilot project was concerned, they did not find any child who did not consume fish.
It is, however, important to analyse whether a large-scale application of this project is viable and whether that would yield similar promising results among children. If the existing research is to be considered, it holds promise for broader execution. It promises empowerment of the local fishing community, especially fisherwomen and women-run self-help groups trained and made primary contributors to the model. Planned and carried forward well, this can be a pioneering step towards mitigating malnutrition in children and creating a sustainable ecosystem.
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