Aquaculture Development in Nepal

Project Summary:

The Aquaculture Development in Nepal Project, supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) under the Food for Progress Program and led by Lutheran World Relief (LWR), aims to strengthen and modernize Nepal’s aquaculture sector. The project focuses on increasing fish productivity, improving access to quality inputs and services, strengthening food safety and quality, expanding access to finance, and developing sustainable market linkages across the aquaculture value chain.

The project is implemented from 2025 to 2029 across five provinces, 13 districts, and selected municipalities of Nepal, benefiting approximately 9,500 fish farmers and 500 value chain actors. It works with farmers, hatcheries, nurseries, feed millers, financial institutions, government agencies, service providers, and other private-sector stakeholders.

Community Family Welfare Association (CFWA), Dhanusha, is one of the national implementing partners and implements the project in eight municipalities across Dhanusha, Siraha, and Mahottari districts of Madhesh Province. CFWA will support 690 farmers, 3 hatcheries, 5 nurseries, and 1 feed miller during the current implementation period.

CFWA’s interventions emphasize improved aquaculture practices, productivity, quality fish production, access to finance and markets, capacity building, government coordination, monitoring and documentation, partnership development, and sustainability. Through these efforts, the project contributes to sustainable aquaculture growth, improved livelihoods, and increased availability of safe, nutritious, and quality fish in Nepal.