Replication Data for: Lock-ins to the dissemination of genetically improved fish seeds

Well-functioning fish seed systems are crucial for human nutrition and improved livelihoods. Yet fish seed systems have received considerably little attention in the diffusion process for genetically improved strains. This study examined how seed systems of genetically improved fish strains function, assessed constraints faced, and explored entry-points to increased diffusion. To address these objectives, the study combined the seed systems performance assessment framework with innovation systems thinking. Data came from participatory multi-stakeholder workshops and interviews with tilapia hatchery operators and grow-out farmers in Bangladesh. We found that tilapia seed production and dissemination was profitable and cost-effective indicating a business case for supply chain actors. However, there were several binding constraints including low adoption of elite broodstock, vulnerability to weather shocks and diseases, poor quality of complementary inputs, intermittent electricity supply, hidden costs of seed transportation, and limited market access. These constraints and their causes interacted, creating systemic lock-ins through blocking mechanisms related to incomplete enforcement of regulatory frameworks to control hatchery practices and quality of inputs; limited knowledge about broodstock management, quality seed production, and disease management; weak adaptive capacity to weather shocks; and limited access to credit. Projects, programs, and policies targeted at accelerating adoption of good quality fish seed should focus on the following important aspects. First, strengthening institutional capacity to monitor and enforce quality control. Second, increasing advocacy and knowledge transfer about benefits and sources of elite broodstock. Third, promoting adoption of better management practices by hatcheries and farmers including adaptation to weather shocks. Fourth, leveraging partnerships with local service providers as intermediaries. Fifth, using social networks for information diffusion among farmers.

运转良好的鱼类种苗系统（fish seed systems）对于保障人类营养与改善生计至关重要。然而在遗传改良品系（genetically improved strains）的推广进程中，鱼类种苗系统却长期未受到足够重视。本研究旨在剖析遗传改良鱼类品系的种苗系统运作机制，评估其面临的各类制约因素，并探索提升推广效率的切入点。为达成上述研究目标，本研究融合了种苗系统绩效评估框架与创新系统思维。研究数据来源于孟加拉国境内的参与式多利益相关方研讨会，以及对罗非鱼（tilapia）孵化场经营者与商品鱼养殖农户的访谈。研究结果表明，罗非鱼种苗的生产与传播具备盈利性与成本效益，可为供应链参与方提供商业可行性支撑。但研究同时识别出多项关键性制约因素：优质亲鱼（elite broodstock）采用率偏低、易受气象灾害与病害侵扰、配套投入品（complementary inputs）质量欠佳、电力供应不稳定、种苗运输存在隐性成本，以及市场准入渠道有限。上述制约因素及其成因相互交织，通过多重阻碍机制形成了系统性锁定（systemic lock-ins）：具体包括用于规范孵化场运营与投入品质量的监管框架（regulatory frameworks）执行不到位、亲鱼管理（broodstock management）、优质种苗生产与病害防控知识普及不足、应对气象灾害的自适应能力薄弱，以及信贷获取渠道有限。旨在加快优质鱼类种苗推广应用的项目、计划与政策，应重点关注以下关键方向：其一，强化监测与质量管控执法的制度能力；其二，加大关于优质亲鱼优势与获取渠道的宣传推广与知识转移力度；其三，推动孵化场与农户采用更优管理实践，包括提升气象灾害适应能力；其四，依托与当地服务提供商的合作关系搭建中介渠道；其五，利用农户社交网络开展信息传播推广。