Following the fish inland: understanding fish distribution networks for rural development and nutrition security
Date
2019
Authors
Steenbergen, Dirk J.
Eriksson, Hampus
Hunnam, Kimberley
Mills, David J.
Stacey, Natasha
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Springer
Abstract
In developing countries, small-scale fisheries are both a pivotal source of livelihood and essential for the nutritional intake of
larger food insecure populations. Distribution networks that move fish from landing sites to coastal and inland consumers offer
entry points to address livelihood enhancement and food security objectives of rural development initiatives. To be able to utilize
fish distribution networks to address national development targets, a sound understanding of how local systems function and are
organized is imperative. Here we present an in-depth examination of a domestic market chain in Timor-Leste that supplies smallpelagic fish to coastal and inland communities. We present the market chain’s different commodity flows and its distributive
reach, and show how social organization strongly influences people’s access to fish, by determining availability and affordability.
We suggest there is potential to advance Timor-Leste’s food and nutrition security targets by engaging with local influential actors
and existing social relations across fish distribution networks. We argue that in addition to developing improvements to fish
distribution infrastructure, utilizing existing or locally familiar practices, organization and social capital offers opportunity for
long term self-sufficiency. Livelihood and food security improvement initiatives involving natural resource-dependent communities are more likely to succeed if they incorporate rural development perspectives, which frame directly targeted interventions
(‘intentional’ development) within broader structural contexts (‘immanent’ development).
Description
Keywords
Coastal livelihoods, Fish distribution networks, Food and nutrition security, Rural development, Small-scale fisheries, Timor-Leste
Citation
Collections
Source
Food Security
Type
Journal article
Book Title
Entity type
Access Statement
License Rights
Restricted until
2037-12-31