The CAGES Project (Cage Aquaculture for Greater Economic Security) was a pioneering initiative to introduce small-scale, low-input cage aquaculture to resource-poor households, particularly those without access to land or ponds. Technical supported by CARE Bangladesh and funded by the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID), the project collaborated with 45 local NGOs across seven districts—including Sylhet, Dhaka, and Barisal—to engage over 4,000 households in fish farming using floating cages. These systems enabled families to rear fish like tilapia in rivers, canals, and other communal water bodies, offering a sustainable livelihood option with minimal investment. The project emphasized gender inclusion by actively involving women in fish farming activities. Despite its initial success, the project’s long-term impact was hindered by the absence of post-project support and institutional follow-up, leading many farmers to abandon cage culture after the initiative. Nonetheless, the CAGES Project remains a significant milestone in Bangladesh’s aquaculture development, demonstrating the potential of inclusive, community-based fish farming to enhance rural livelihoods.
