The document discusses the World Bank's increasing investment in fisheries and aquaculture as part of its development agenda, recognizing the important role that fish play in nutrition. It notes that fish consumption and production is expected to rise globally to meet demand, especially in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Small indigenous fish species in these regions are among the most micronutrient-rich foods and consuming them, particularly for women during the first 1,000 days of life and for young children, can significantly improve health outcomes and reduce stunting. The World Bank is thus looking to invest further in nutrition-sensitive fish agri-food systems and value chains as a means to simultaneously improve human health and lifetime wealth.

1. The Role of Fish in The World Bank’s Development Agenda
Investing in Nutrition-Sensitive Fish Agri-Food Systems
Pawan G. Patil
Senior Economist
Siem Reap, Cambodia
December 6, 2017

2. The Annual Lecturer is Invited to Present His or Her Personal, Often
Unconventional, Views about Large Issues Dealing with Malnutrition

3. Our Dream is A World Free of Poverty

4. Good News: Global Poverty is Declining

5. …And We Know That Fish Play Their Part

6. Evidenced by a Growing World Bank Contribution to Fisheries
An Estimated Active Portfolio of over US $6.4 Billion in 2015
Active Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture Portfolio, incl ICZM (IBRD/IDA/GEF)

7. Fish Supply and Consumption Projected to Rise;
Aquaculture Outpacing Capture Fisheries

8. Fish Landings are in Steep Decline from Overfishing

9. Putting Jobs, Trade, Tourism, Food Supply At Risk

10. Globally, Fish Farming (Aquaculture) is on the Rise to Meet Demand

11. And Particularly for South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa

12. Fish Farming Growth Trend for South Asia and Africa Likely to Continue

13. Providing Jobs, Livelihood and Food Security for Poorest

14. Even in the Face of Climate Vulnerability

15. WHO are the Poor? WHERE are they?
50.7%
Sub-
Saharan
Africa
33.4%
South
Asia
4.4%
Latin America and the
Caribbean
0.8%
Rest
1.4%
Eastern Europe
and Central Asia
9.3%
East Asia
and
Pacific
YoungRural Poorly educated Work in
agriculture
Larger households
with more children
This is Good News for Developing Countries including the Poorest
South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa to Benefit

16. Global Nutrition Report Treatment of Fish
Go Fish
No No No Kind of

17. 156 Million Poor Children Under 5 Are Stunted;
80% of Stunted Children Live in South Asia and SSA

18. And, Children of Poor Families Suffer
Disproportionately Across the Globe

19. Bangladesh
50
40
30
20
10
0
Bhutan
India
MaldivesNepal
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
15
10
5
0
Bangladesh
20
Bhutan
India
MaldivesNepal
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
Bangladesh
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Bhutan
India
MaldivesNepal
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
Stunting Wasting Underweight
Rural Children Tend to Have Slightly Higher
Undernutrition Rates Than Urban Children

20. Bangladesh
50
40
30
20
10
0
Bhutan
India
MaldivesNepal
Pakistan
Sri Lanka 15
10
5
0
Bangladesh
20
Bhutan
IndiaPakistan
MaldivesNepal
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
Bangladesh
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Bhutan
India
MaldivesNepal
Sri Lanka
Stunting Wasting Underweight
Return
Typically Small Gender Differentials
in Undernutrition Rates

21. A Global Call To Reduce Stunting by 40% to 100m by 2025

22. World Bank Group Calls for the
Elimination of Childhood Stunting by 2030

23. The First 1000 Days: Foundation for Health, Incl.
Brain Development and Life-Long Cognition

24. And Lifetime Wealth
The USD Return on Investment in Anti-Stunting is High;
Transforming Human Health = Significant Incr. Lifetime Wealth (Esp. for the Poor)

25. D RESULTSFOR
l!J DEVELOPMENT
CHILDREN'S
INVESTMENT FUND
FOUNDATION 1,0
BILL&MEUNDA
GATESfoundation
Cost a n d irnpact on c t1ild stunting
1 75
Un de r ly in g d et e r m in a nt s
of s t u n t in g * - 7 4 m il lio n
f e w e r
c h i ld r e n
s t u n t e d
in 2 0 2 5
7 5
2016 2 0 1 7 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
$ 15.6 b i llio n r e q u ir e d f or 2 0 16 -2 0 2 0 $ 3 4.0 b il l io n r e q u ir e d f o r 2 0 2 1 - 2 0 2 5
·1nc/u(fes per capita GDP. fooc1tN <1:1tab//lly an(J d/Verslty, an(J women's education, 11ea1m, ana empowermen t

26. The Role of Fish in The World Bank’s Development Agenda
Investment in Nutrition-Sensitive Fish Agri-Food Systems;
Only Recently Realizing Its Importance
(Due to Global Movement to Combat Stunting)

27. 2013 Lancet Article, A Wake Up Call;
ONLY Scaling Up Proven Solutions Will Fall Short of Target

28. Investment in Nutrition-Sensitive Fish Agri-Food Systems
Means Investing in Evidence-Based Solutions That Work

29. FISHFORTHEIMPROVEDNUTRITIONSECURITYOFTHEPOOR
n Calcium, VitaminA,Iron andZinc
THEIMPORTANTROLEOFFISH
e ( Smallfisheatenwholeareparticularlyrich
incalcium,vitaminA,ironandzinc,which
aremoreeffectivelyabsorbedthanthose in
plant-source foods
e ( Fishhasanenhancingeffect onthe
absorptionof ironandzinc
e ( Smallfishspeciescanbeusedasacost
effective,food-based strategyto enhance
rnicronutrient intakesofvulnerablepeople
ACTIONS
NEEDED
Developandimplementsustainable,low
costtechnologiesfor management,
conservation,productionand
accessibility of nutrient-richsmallfish
OPPORTUNITIES
.e( Improvedmanagement of wetlands
andseasonalfloodplainscanleadtoan
increasedfish productionproviding
morefishandmoreincome
Smallfishcanbeincorporated into
aquaculture- commercial andsmall
scale- without affectingthe
productionof largefish
IMPACT
e ( Introducingsmall fish(Ambylpha1yngodon
mo/a) inthe 4millionsmall, seasonal pondsin
Bangladesh canmeetthevitaminAannual
recornrnended intakeof over 6 million
children
e ( AtraditionalCambodianmealof riceandsour
soup,madewithSOgofthe iron-richsmall
fish(Esomuslongimanus) canmeet45%of
the dailyironrequirementofawoman
· 2 f ,0r( f :t i ' Uil1
·:;QHrL2.lli 9£1,i:-i;';g;t $;
1bene_fits of: malLfishi n9i t'•·t,".:.;_"•-i,•' -· : j ....; --lf"';;. -;-,,.--,..,-,,_, ,---.,._,....,.,A,,. .;,-.,.Jl-'- ' - - •·
:'.·9.iYf iJYi
Ad,.dedinvestentHn
farmerri.organizationl?,Ivalue
Ctia··:,wn.o'd. ev··"eloP.menUma
better1igovernance
,
.
'
M.gr
J!.
-g
p
,
sniY.mr!
!9W

30. Small Indigenous Fish Species Found in Asia and SSA
Among the Most Micronutrient Rich Foods

31. An Evidence-Based Solution: Micronutrient-Rich Small Fish
“NutriFish” Improve Health Outcomes
Lab-tested small fully mature indigenous fish contain key micronutrients
missing in poor diets, where hidden hunger, wasting and/or stunting exist
Early trials suggest improved health outcomes (for mother and child) when
small fish consumed by expectant mothers
Anecdotal evidence suggests consuming small fish in first 1000 days can
reduce childhood stunting
Consumption of small fish chutney products, flour, and/or whole are food-
based strategies to combat malnutrition
Small Fish (mola) found in the wild across South Asia (see yellow);
WorldFish figured out how to breed and cultivate them in ponds

32. A Nutrient-Rich Small Fish Solution for Economic Empowerment
A Double Health Dividend; Triple+ Wealth Dividend
Female-led: Homestead Small Fish Farming
Female-led Harvesting and Sales in Markets
Female-led Value Added Small Fish Processing
A Small Fish Enterprise Network for Women

33. Nutrition-Sensitive Fish Agri-Food Solutions to Improve
Human Health & Lifetime Wealth Over One Thousand Days

34. Investment in Nutrition-Sensitive Fish Agri-Food Systems
Means Investing in 1,000 Day Fish-Based Solutions

35. Including Value Addition/Value Chains;
Fish Products for the First 1,000 Days of Life
Fish Chutney, Powder, Complementary Foods

36. 2017-2020 WBG Investment in Fisheries Rapidly Rising;
Investment in Nutrition-Sensitive Fish Agri-Food Systems is Opportunity

37. Investment in Nutrition-Sensitive Fish Agri-Food Systems Opportunity
SAR Flagship Report Released at 2018 Annual Meetings

38. Investment in Nutrition-Sensitive Fish Agri-Food Systems
No Time to Waste

39. Contact
For Information on the SAR Flagship Report:
Dr. Dhushyanth Raju
Lead Economist
draju2@worldbank.org
For Information on the Special Focus on Fisheries:
Dr. Pawan G. Patil
Senior Economist
ppatil@worldbank.org