EVALUATING VALUE FOR MONEY (VFM) FOR FISH FARMING IN DISTRICT MANSEHRA KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA PAKISTAN

Abstract

This study was carried out with the aim to estimate Value for Money (VFM) Analysis of fish farming in District Mansehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of Pakistan. This research study was conducted under WWF’s “Water Resource Accountability in Pakistan” (WRAP) project for the reference to establishment of community based fish farming. WRAP is being implemented by WWF Pakistan with the support of the Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) of the Government of United Kingdom (UK), which aims to Scaleup Nature based Solutions (NbS) for Improving Integrated Water Resources Management and Enhanced Water Security in Pakistan. Results of the study revealed that the VFM analysis of Fish farming demonstrates its commendable financial efficiency and effectiveness in achieving the defined objectives. With economic expenditure, cost-effective interventions, and inclusive practices, fish pond construction contributes to sustainable water resource management and climate resilience. The study also highlighted that fishing is an important sub-sector of agriculture that contributes significantly to Pakistan's economy and food security. The fisheries sector in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan, holds significant potential for growth and investment, owing to its diverse aquatic ecosystem that supports a wide range of fish species. This research seeks to assist policymakers, development agencies, and implementing partners in establishing a continuous and integrated system for assessing key value-for-money (VFM) metrics, specifically for climate change-related interventions. By doing so, it aims to generate a strong evidence base for investment decisions, ultimately enhancing the efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and overall impact of these initiatives.