(1) Homestead ponds available in at least 60% beneficiary households

(2) Household ponds can be prepared and managed for fish culture

(3) Almost all beneficiaries have experience in fish cultivation using old techniques

(4) Well established backward and forward linkages in the region

(1) High local and national demand

(2) Strong linkage with the backward markets of inputs, feeds, aqua chemicals, etc.

(3) Traders and forward market linkages are well established due to the fish market being strong in the study areas

(1) Lack of knowledge about pond preparation, management and proper techniques for semi-intensive cultivation of fish in small ponds

(2) Misperception about the viability of commercial fish cultivation in small ponds

(3) Habit of using caught fingerlings or poor quality inputs and habit of growing fish without investing in it

(4) Inputs are not quality-graded

(5) Access to credit and loan is poor

(1) Salinity and weather can impact water conditions in ponds

(2) Climatic disaster-prone areas

(3) Limited access to finance for small producers

(4) Dependence on loans limits business decisions and ownership