ABSTRACT

This study evaluated duck-fish integration to the diet of households to improve food and nutrition security. The study was undertaken at Bolli village in Netrokona of Bangladesh for a period of 3 months from October to December 2017. It was done by questionnaire interviews of households, key informant interviews, and secondary data. Most of the households have belonged to the age groups of 31 to 50 years (70%). About 22.5% of the farmers had small family size with 2-4 members, 65% had a medium family size with 5-8 members and 12.5% had large family size with above 8 members. Over 20% of the household primary occupation was fishing, 20% was engaged in agriculture and 25% in daily labor. Under natural calamities, 15% households depend on rice and dried fish, 20% on dried food like chira, 17.5% on rice and pulse and 47.5% on usual foods like rice, vegetables, fish, eggs, etc. The per capita daily food intake was 1089.51 grams due to less chance of diversified food intake in haor areas. This study reveals that the average per capita daily calorie intake is 2204.28 kcal and the average per capita daily protein intake is 76.55 g. This study concludes that protein intake of farmers is high due to availability of duck egg, meat and fish to improve the nutrition security of farmers in Haor areas of Netrokona district.

Key words: Duck-fish integration, Livelihood, Social status, Netrokona District.