The Adivasi Fisheries Project, aimed at diversifying livelihood options for resource-poor Adivasi (ethnic) communities
in the North and Northwest of Bangladesh, was implemented during 2007–9. Aquaculture and related
technologies were introduced to a total of 3594 resource-poor Adivasi households. Baseline and end-line surveys
were applied to assess the changes in their livelihoods following intervention. Household incomes of project
participants rose significantly (p ≤ 0.01), which was attributed to the increased share of aquaculture and related
enterprises from 15% in 2007 to nearly 30% in 2009 in terms of annual household incomes. By contrast, the
contribution of aquaculture to household incomes remained virtually unchanged (p N 0.05) among nonproject
participants. The monthly frequency of fish, meat and egg consumption increased between 2007 and
2009 (p ≤ 0.01), confirming improved food and nutrition security among project participants. Although nonproject
participants also slightly increased their fish consumption, it remained significantly lower (p ≤ 0.01)
than that of the project participants. The results from the present study contradict the prevailing view that
aquaculture is inappropriate for landless, socially marginalized and extremely poor communities by demonstrating
its relevance to improving livelihoods, provided that a diversified approach is followed and interventions are
tailored to needs and capabilities of target households.