Designed by Women for Women: Testing Fish Powder for Nutrition in Bolivia

This Fund for Innovation and Transformation (FIT) funded project tests the viability of a nutritionally dense fish powder to be produced and marketed by local women in Bolivia.

Women’s nutrition is critical to their wellbeing and the wellbeing of their families, especially when they are pregnant and nursing. Essential micro-nutrients such as iron, calcium, folic acid, essential fatty acids (omega-3 and 6s), and key vitamins contribute to fetal development and reduce risk of pregnancy complications and congenital disabilities (Black, 2007). During lactation, such nutrients also directly affect an infant’s immune system and physical and mental development (ibid.). However, despite the importance of nutrition, there is a nutritional crisis for women and girls, with nearly 70% globally being nutritionally deficient (UNICEF, 2023). At a societal level, consumption of essential nutrients is a key bulwark against two of the most pernicious food security problems in the world; malnutrition and stunting. However, in the global South, limited food diversity, transportation and storage problems, insufficient nutritional understanding, and high costs, all complicate access and utilization of sufficient and diverse nutrients for women.


This Fund for Innovation and Transformation (FIT) funded project addresses both the food insecurity and marginalization of women experienced by people in Bolivia. Dr. Sean Irwin and his team are testing a solution to help address livelihood, empowerment, and nutrition challenges for women in Bolivia with the introduction of nutritionally dense fish powder that is designed, produced, and marketed by women, for women. To do so, the team will support the establishment of a fish powder value chain – the series of processes, people, and relationships that bring a product from conception to consumption – and bolster awareness and demand for the product amongst consumers. The hypothesis being tested during this project is: If nutritionally dense fish powder is produced, designed, and marketed by local women, then there will be robust consumer uptake that will support women aquaculturist livelihoods and the food security and nutrition of Bolivians, especially women and children. The project is being conducted by local collaborators Dr. Roxana Dulon, Alvaro Cespedes, and Luis Badani.