A new mobile application is delivering crucial aquaculture information to small-scale fish farmers who have restricted access to extension services due to lockdown measures in Myanmar. The Shwe Ngar app, which was developed by WorldFish and partners with funding from USAID, provides fish farming families with timely information on how to stock and feed fish, fish health and aquaculture technologies, as well as nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene practices. The app also connects fish farmers to suppliers, traders and others in order to strengthen the country’s fisheries value chains.
“Innovative technology for agriculture can help make economic growth accessible to everyone. This app launch is part of a larger effort to improve value chains so that more food-safe fish and fish products can reach local markets. This project focuses on integrating communities in Shan and Kachin states, Sagaing and Mandalay regions, into stronger aquaculture value chains to support inclusive economic growth in Myanmar,” said Aler Grubbs, USAID mission director.
Fish account for 60% of the animal-sourced food consumed in Myanmar. The amount of wild fish being caught from fresh- and saltwater in Myanmar is declining. Myanmar must develop a sustainable aquaculture industry to meet the growing demand for fish. Sustainable, environmentally responsible aquaculture minimizes potential environmental impacts to wild fisheries and ensures aquaculture practices are socially acceptable and economically sound.
The Shwe Ngar app was developed by the Fish for Livelihoods project, which is implemented by WorldFish and funded by USAID. Fish for Livelihoods is an initiative to increase fish production, labor productivity, food availability and fish consumption, especially for women and children from vulnerable households in Myanmar. The Shwe Ngar app and the Fish for Livelihoods Project are part of the U.S. Government’s Global Hunger and Food Security Initiative, also known as Feed the Future.
