Culture of “Mola” in rice fields in Bangladesh

Photos’ credit: World Fish Center

Review: Abdel Rahman El Gamal (Founder of the website)

Mola in Bangladesh (02) Mola in Bangladesh (01)

 

 

 

Mola (Amblypharyngodon mola) is a small indigenous fish that do exist in household ponds and natural waters in Bangladesh. In addition to its content of animal protein, mola is rich in vitamin A (20 times higher than commonly cultured fish species).  Mola is also rich in calcium, iron, zinc, and phosphorus.

Including mola as part of the diet can help those suffering from malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies, especially pregnant and lactating women and children younger than 2 years of age.  In fact, human nutritionists claimed that “mola” can play a major role in lowering the incidence of child blindness, night blindness and infant mortality in Bangladesh. When cooked as a whole and processed into a paste, and mixed with rice and vegetables, turns to a child-friendly one-pot meal (khichuri) which is high in micronutrients.

Mola feeds on natural food organisms stimulated by fertilization. Moreover, the species spawns naturally two to three times a year and hence there is no need for sophisticated hatchery facilities)

 

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