Sustainable intensification of small-scale aquaculture production in Myanmar through diversification and better management practices

Abstract Small-scale aquaculture systems can contribute significantly to food and nutritional security, poverty alleviation, rural development, especially in developing countries. However, the intensification of often has negative environmental outcomes. The adoption diversification practices (e.g. polyculture, pond-dike cropping (PDC)) better management (BMPs) been identified as a possible approach intensify sustainably small-scale production. This study assesses sustainability outcomes BMPs production models. We focus on Myanmar, country characterized by rapidly expanding sector. analyze 624 household surveys with producers central northern Myanmar. estimate effects different outcomes, namely economic (i.e. yield benefit-cost ratio), nitrogen phosphorus use efficiency), security fish self-consumption dietary diversity) through linear mixed-effects Our results reveal that diversified models (whether integrating or not BMPs) could have significant positive well efficiency, compared ‘unimproved monoculture’. such do seem any major effect efficiency. seems little (if any) added studied which suggests need improve existing even develop new fit for Myanmar’s context. These findings implications about contribution enabling sustainable settings other contexts.