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From
Scaling for Impact Program
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Published on
12.08.25
By Sumaya Tabassum, Khondker Murshed-e-Jahan
Highlights:
- South–South collaboration aims to strengthen capacity to scale hatchery-based SIS seed production system for nutrition-sensitive aquaculture across Asia and Africa.
- Hands-on demonstrations highlighted scalable genetic innovations and sustainable seed dissemination models.
- Knowledge sharing across regions reinforces the potential for local adaptation of SIS breeding protocols.
Why Hatchery Based SIS Seed Production Matters
Hatchery-based mass seed production of Small Indigenous Species (SIS) represents a vital innovation in strengthening resilient and nutrition-sensitive aquatic food systems. Rich in essential micronutrients, SIS such as mola (Amblypharyngodon mola), punti (Puntius chola, Puntius sophore), and tengra (Mystus tengara) serve as critical dietary sources of vitamin A, calcium, iron, and zinc. However, the natural availability of SIS has declined due to habitat degradation and overfishing, limiting access for vulnerable populations. To address this, WorldFish through CGIAR Scaling for Impact (S4I) Program is scaling the commercial breeding of SIS through private hatcheries in Southern Bangladesh. This approach ensures year-round, quality-controlled seed supply while creating inclusive business models that link hatcheries, smallholder farmers, and local markets. By integrating practical breeding protocols with scaling strategies hatchery-based SIS seed production systems offer a replicable and transformative pathway for improving food and nutrition security across diverse geographies.
South–South Technical Exchange Accelerates Scaling of Nutrition-Sensitive Aquatic Seed Innovations
To promote knowledge exchange and foster South–South collaboration, WorldFish Bangladesh through CGIAR Scaling for Impact (S4I) Program, led a technical exchange event titled “South-South Technical Exchange on Hatchery-Based Mass Seed Production of Small Indigenous Species (SIS)” in Khulna, Bangladesh from 27–30 July 2025. Organized in collaboration with the Sustainable Animal and Aquatic Foods (SAAF) program, this event not only focused on technical and practical training on commercial breeding of SIS but also demonstrated best practices through exposure visits to WorldFish’s Carp Genetic Improved Program (CGIP) site and Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT) hatchery of BRAC.
The event convened delegations from Kenya, Nepal, and Cambodia, comprising representatives from government institutions, private hatcheries, academia, and international organizations. Its primary objective was to equip each country team with practical skills and scalable strategies to strengthen nutrition-sensitive aquatic food systems in their respective national contexts. The inauguration session of the technical exchange program was attended by representatives from the Department of Fisheries (DoF), Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI), and CGIAR centers underscoring broad institutional commitment to scaling aquatic innovations. In his inaugural speech, Chief Guest Dr. S.M. Rezaul Karim, Director, Department of Fisheries, Bangladesh stated,
“While polyculture with SIS has been promoted as a nutrition-sensitive aquaculture strategy, its long-term success is limited by the availability of quality seed. To mitigate the nutritional demand of our population, we need to initiate the production of good-quality SIS in Bangladesh.”
Rooted in Practical Training, Designed for Local Adaptation
Following the theoretical sessions, the first two days of the event also featured hands-on practical training on Small Indigenous Species (SIS) breeding protocols at South Bay Hatchery in Khulna, a private-sector partner successfully engaged in commercial breeding of mola, punti, and tengra with technical support from Scaling for Impact (S4I) Program. The training covered key topics including hormone application, broodstock selection, water quality management, hatchery biosecurity, and seed rearing emphasizing practical, replicable techniques adaptable to diverse country contexts.
SIS play a vital role in many regions due to their high micronutrient content, affordability, and compatibility with small-scale aquaculture systems. While the featured species are particularly relevant for Nepal, participants from Kenya and Cambodia expressed interest in other SIS with similar ecological and nutritional value. Nonetheless, the core breeding methodologies and seed production system designs presented are transferable and provide an adaptable framework for broader application across geographies.
According to Mr. Enos Ouma Were, a private hatchery owner from Kenya, hatchery-based mass seed production of SIS is not practiced in his country, with most seed still sourced from natural water bodies. But this technical exchange has made him realize how important it is to establish reliable and sustainable hatchery-based production systems for SIS to ensure year-round availability of improved quality seeds and reduce pressure on wild stocks. He noted,
“Now that I’ve seen these protocols applied in a commercial hatchery, I’m confident we can adapt them to suit the SIS species preferred by our communities.”
Among the participants, Mr. Ambrish Patel Patanawar, a national award-winning hatchery entrepreneur from Nepal, emphasized the strong potential for hatchery-based SIS seed production in his country. He shared-
“The training that we are receiving here, I will adapt this into my hatchery. I will tell the farmers in my area about the importance of SIS such as mola, punti, tengra and its nutritional value in comparison to other fishes. We need support from government, and I believe, with the help of government in my country, the commercialization of SIS can bring significant changes.”
Ground-Level Insights into Genetic Improvement and Seed Dissemination Strategies for Scalable Breeding Solutions
To complement the SIS training, participants undertook a series of field visits to key innovation sites exemplifying advanced genetic improvement and strategic dissemination approaches. On 29 July, the delegation traveled to BRAC Tilapia Hatchery in Magura to observe GIFT tilapia seed production and hatchery operations, where strong emphasis was placed on quality assurance protocols and biosecurity measures.
Subsequently, on 30 July, they visited the Carp Genetics Innovation Program (CGIP) of Worldfish in Talbaria, Jessore which is now advancing through the CGIAR Sustainable Animal and Aquatic Foods (SAAF) program. Here, participants gained insight into recent advancements in G3 Rohu and other improved carp strains. The final visit was to the Fahad Hatchery and Culture Ltd in Jessore, where the SAAF and Scaling for Impact (S4I) teams are collaboratively piloting a last-mile seed dissemination model through a network of trained multipliers.
These learning exchanges underscored that the successful scaling and long-term sustainability of breeding programs rely on strong government endorsement, well-structured and viable business models, multi-stakeholder collaboration, and sustained public sector investment.
Strengthening Knowledge and Partnerships Through South–South Collaboration
This training exemplifies the Scaling for Impact (S4I) program’s approach of scaling innovations through real-world application, cross-country exchange, and embedded institutional partnerships. The technical sessions were facilitated by experts from WorldFish’s Asia-Africa BlueTech Superhighway (AABS) project, CGIAR Scaling for Impact (S4I) Program and WorldFish’s Carp Genetic Improvement Program (CGIP) team under CGIAR Sustainable Animal and Aquatic Foods (SAAF) Program. International participation was made possible through The CASA project (funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Qatar Fund for Development) for Kenya and Partial support from the AQUADAPT project (funded by IDRC–Canada) for Cambodia.
Looking forward, with new technical skills, stronger cross-country networks, and ongoing coaching mechanisms now in place, representatives from each country are better equipped to integrate species-specific breeding innovations into their national aquatic food system strategies. These efforts reflect a growing commitment to advancing nutrition-sensitive, inclusive, and climate-resilient aquatic food systems.