Aquaculture Value Chain Research Articles

Transformation of the farm segment of the aquaculture value chain in southern Bangladesh

Aquaculture in Bangladesh has experienced rapid growth over the last three decades, yet technological changes in the farming segment remains underexplored. To address this gap, we surveyed 721 farmers across seven districts in southern Bangladesh from November 2020 to February 2021. The result showed moderate growth in aquaculture, with an 11 % increase in farmers and a 15 % rise in waterbodies over the past decade. Farmers cultivated diverse aquatic species, with carp dominating production at 56 % followed by crustaceans (16 %) and tilapia (14 %). Shrimp are more highly susceptible to disease than fish and prawn but, only 19 % of farmers adopted measures to enhance survival. The study noted a shift from shrimp to prawn and from crustaceans to fish due to disease, market demand, and environmental factors, resulting in intensification and greater use of floating feed over the last decade. A mere 0.55 % of farmers reported losses, spoilage, or wastage during harvest or between harvest and sale of aquatic products, with the volume being minimal at just 0.52 %. Farming generated 401,536 full-time equivalent (FTE) on-jobs in the seven surveyed districts, predominantly for family labor. Aquaculture demonstrates strong profitability, with an average benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of 1.98, indicating nearly a twofold return on investment. This study highlights the evolving dynamics of aquaculture in southern Bangladesh, revealing modest growth, increased species diversification, and shifts in production practices, which underscore the sector's profitability and need for improved technological adoption on a global scale.

Stakeholders' assessment of feed produced from nutrients recovered from aquaculture waste in an emerging economy

The intensified aquaculture production and heavy feed use have placed high pressure on the environment due to increasing waste. This study aims to understand how stakeholders along the aquaculture value chain evaluate feed produced from nutrients recovered from waste in aquaculture production. Using a mixed method combining a systematic literature analysis by synthesizing 171 articles and a qualitative analysis with information collected from 45 respondents including fishmeal producers, feed producers, feed traders, hatcheries, farmers, shrimp traders, and shrimp processors cum exporters in an emerging economy of Viet Nam, the study reveals that the stakeholders in the value chain are aware of and willing to accept the feed produced from nutrients recovered from waste in aquaculture production. The motivation of each stakeholder to produce or use the feed is conditional on that of other stakeholders. The findings suggest that the removal of conditional motivation cannot be left to the market and government support is needed.

Implementing Zonal Aquaculture Innovation Platforms in Uganda: Key Lessons Learned

Uganda’s aquaculture sub-sector is rapidly developing, contributing up to 22% of all fish produced in the country. However, the sub-sector still faces challenges related to limited access to extension services, production inputs, post-harvest handling facilities, disease incidences, value-addition skills and weak market linkages. Although there have been isolated interventions at different aquaculture value-chain nodes, the registered challenges continue to recur. To address prioritized issues in Uganda’s aquaculture sub-sector, nine zonal aquaculture innovation platforms were established based on the country’s nine agro-ecological zones. These platforms brought together different stakeholders to identify solutions to common problems in each aquaculture value-chain node. Each innovation platform consisted of fish farmers, hatchery operators, traders, extension workers, researchers, input dealers, local leaders, and financial institutions. During a series of zonal workshops, participants identified constraints to the aquaculture sub-sector in their respective zones. From the findings, there are technical knowledge gaps across the entire aquaculture value chain mainly affecting hatchery operators, input suppliers, and farmers. Therefore, there is need for coordinated interventions to enhance access to production technologies, innovations, knowledge, and skill transfer to promote gender-centered aquaculture development.

Societal perceptions of aquaculture: Combining scoping review and media analysis

AbstractAquaculture has been recognised for achieving multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals; its further growth depends on understanding, and responding to, societal perceptions in a broader context. Thus, this study aims to understand societal perceptions of aquaculture through a scoping review and media analysis. A scoping review identified 151 academic studies for inclusion in our five identified research clusters: (1) social acceptability, (2) growth and development, (3) media coverage, (4) sustainable aquaculture, and (5) consumer perceptions. Further, newspaper articles (n = 100) were sampled from the United Kingdom, Denmark, France, Spain, Turkey, and China; elsewhere all articles identified were included (Poland, 79; Hungary, 29; India, 70). The findings suggest that scientific and newspaper articles tend to present sustainability aspects in a simplified form. Key stakeholder groups include fish farming enterprises, civil society, governmental officials, scientists, and business leaders both within aquaculture value chains (retailers/wholesalers, technology industry) and outside of them (fisheries, tourism). Also, other stakeholders included the public (indigenous groups, residents, consumers). The stakeholder groups perceived aquaculture differently and depending on the circumstances and context, their perceptions ranged from positive to negative. Many factors influenced their perceptions, including aquaculture's impact on multiple sustainability dimensions, knowledge, transparency, personal interests, types, and location of aquaculture practises, regulations, experience, and sociodemographic characteristics such as age, gender, education, and income. We recommend that aquaculture practitioners focus on context‐specific multifaceted strategies—prioritising transparency, communication, and accountability—and provide essential knowledge to ensure that societal perceptions of aquaculture are based on accurate, empirical information.

Sustainability and innovation across the aquaculture value chain

Previous research has shown that Norwegian aquaculture firms strongly emphasize environmental and social sustainability, and this study aims to assess if the pattern is consistent across the value chain and consistent independent of suppliers’ amount of sales to fish farming. Also, it studies if value chain position and sales to fish farming are associated with innovation activities. Empirically, the study compares survey data between firms in the aquaculture industry and other industries as reference groups. The results show that aquaculture firms across the value chain overall emphasize environmental and social sustainability more than actors in the reference industries. For suppliers, the emphasis is strongest for those with high sales to fish farming. Another finding is that aquaculture firms’ innovation activities are relatively strong among firms providing services and input factors, particularly among suppliers with high sales to fish farming.

Youth inclusion in value chain development: a case of the aquaculture in Nigeria

Many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) have made youth inclusion a top priority in their development agendas. This is aimed at overcoming social, technical, and institutional obstacles and providing fair and significant opportunities for the growth of young people. Inclusive agricultural value chain development (VCD) is being used to address youth unemployment in the region. The Nigerian government and its partners have invested in aquaculture VCD to create employment opportunities for young men and women, but the participation rate is low, at around 2%. Further, research and practices focusing on rural youth inclusion in VCD is scant, with biases towards urban youth inclusion. This study explored youth engagement in the aquaculture value chain and how the chain features and context shape inclusive mechanisms/patterns of youth inclusion in VCD processes. We used the integrated livelihood asset framework, access approach, and VCD approaches to present an analysis of conditions influencing the inclusion of young men and women in the aquaculture VCD in Nigeria. Accordingly, two youth inclusion strategies were identified: investment and risk management strategies. Young men and women from better-off households adopt investment strategy and dominate the production function. They use their resources, social networks and support from youth-focused aquaculture projects to invest in production functions. Those adopting a risk management strategy dominate the processing, distribution, and marketing functions. They dominantly use social networks, support from aquaculture projects, and Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) to mitigate risks. The high demand for fresh and processed fish, supportive policies, and youth-centered aquaculture projects encourages the engagement of young men and women to adopt either of the strategies. However, they face challenges such as high-cost and low-quality inputs, lack of tailored services, inadequate infrastructure, and sociocultural norms. This study contributes to youth inclusion literature, provides a comprehensive theoretical lens for understanding youth inclusion in VCD, and offers insights into the specific case of young men and women’s engagement in the aquaculture sector in Nigeria.

Impact of COVID-19 on fisheries and aquaculture in Kyrgyzstan

COVID-19 has been a major global challenge with multi-dimensional impacts beyond health and well-being. Agricultural food chains have been impacted globally and fisheries and aquaculture value chains are not an exception. This study was undertaken to determine the immediate effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on fisheries and aquaculture in Kyrgyzstan and the coping strategies of stakeholders across the value chain to facilitate necessary transition mechanisms for ensuring sector stability and resilience. Results show that the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in closure of operations and a transition to digital and remote work. Furthermore, there were disruptions in logistics and supply chains due to restriction of movement and border closures. This has led to a loss of livelihoods and employment, loss and lowering of incomes, increased fish prices, loss of access to markets, disruption in access to fish seed and feed supply, lowering of food safety and quality standards in fish, interruptions in monitoring of fisheries and aquaculture activities and disruptions to fisheries and aquaculture education. The situation called for innovative and creative solutions to build and prevail over the adversity, including using new digital platforms to reach consumers and students. In addition, cooperation between all the stakeholders across the value chain is necessary to address the future vision and development of the Kyrgyz fisheries and aquaculture sector.

Sustainable business model innovation, dynamic capabilities, and organizational design: Insights from Norwegian aquaculture

AbstractFirms must increasingly grapple with complex sustainability challenges. Business model innovation is needed to achieve radical sustainability improvements. Recent research highlights the interrelatedness between business model innovation, dynamic capabilities, and organizational design, calling for empirical work to better illuminate these relationships. These connections are relevant in sustainability contexts, where organizational barriers and drivers have been shown to either facilitate or hinder the development of dynamic capabilities for sustainable business model innovation (SBMI). This paper presents a case study of an emergent low‐carbon offshore aquaculture value chain in Norway to illuminate the importance and roles of these organizational factors. Based on our analysis, we identify those barriers and drivers present in the Norwegian salmon aquaculture industry; add to the body of theory around organizational design, dynamic capabilities, and SBMI; and offer insights for practitioners in the aquaculture sector aiming to develop dynamic capabilities for SBMI.

Dietary shifts and the need for increased sustainability approaches in the global aquaculture seafood system

Recent shifts in the global dietary preferences have indicated the fast-growing choice for plant-based, or meat-reduced diets. Among the motivations for such choices, which are increasingly advocated by nations and environmental institutions, is the major concern with global environmental sustainability and impacts of food production systems. Incontestably, the animal food source industry is extremely diverse, and seafood production through the aquaculture value chain remains unfamiliar to key stakeholders possibly leading to an uncomprehensive view and often biased perception of the farming industry within the environmental context. Accordingly, I discuss the importance of seafood production systems, such as the fastest seafood production that is the aquaculture sector, to increase their focus on the sustainability arena with more substantial and effective improvements for sustainable production, and most importantly, concomitantly informing end consumers. I mention examples of types of sustainability efforts that can be implemented and highlight the urgency of actively informing customers about implemented practices.

Sustainability of the Sub-Saharan African Capture Fisheries and Aquaculture Value Chains: A Review of the Roles and Challenges of Youths and Women in Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi and Zambia.

Sustainability of the Sub-Saharan African Capture Fisheries and Aquaculture Value Chains: A Review of the Roles and Challenges of Youths and Women in Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi and Zambia.

Aquaculture and global value chain: bibliometric analysis using the VOSviewer

This study aims to map and identify trends in the worldwide scientific production related to Global Value Chain (GVC) approach and aquaculture. A bibliometric analysis was employed using articles and reviews from the Scopus database. The software VOSviewer was used to visualize authors, institutions, journals, country distribution, references, and keywords. As results, the study analyzed the co-citation of authors in 29 publications and found that Gary Gereffi and Stefano Ponte were consistently cited together, indicating their importance in the GVC approach literature. Additionally, in the aquaculture field the analysis showed a greater centrality of researchers such as Simon R. Bush, David C. Little and Ben Belton. Five thematic groups were identified through bibliometric analysis of keyword co-occurrence in the literature. These include GVC and aquaculture topics, as well as clusters focused on GVC pillars (upgrading and governance). The last cluster is concerned primarily with production systems and certification standards for aquaculture farms. Additionally, we identified emerging topics in the literature that we believe could be connected to COVID-19. Finally, we argue that aquaculture needs significant changes in regulations, management and financing to be sustainable. In this sense, investigations that examine aquaculture value chains under a holistic GVC approach can help achieve this goal.

The structure, conduct, and performance of the hatchery segment of the aquaculture value chain in Bangladesh

IntroductionSeed production has experienced significant growth in Bangladesh over the last decade, driven by the increasing number of hatcheries. The hatchery segment plays a crucial role in the overall growth and development of aquaculture in the country. Understanding its structure, conduct and performance is essential for assessing its impact on the productivity and profitability of aquaculture farms. However, there is a limited number of methodologically rigorous studies focusing on the hatchery segment in Bangladesh. The study aimed to fill the gap in the exiting literature by conducting a methodologically analysis of the hatchery segment of aquaculture value chain in Bangladesh.MethodsThis study was conducted in seven of the main aquaculture producing districts in southern Bangladesh. A comprehensive structured survey was conducted between May and August 2022 with 66 enterprises, including 42 carp+catfish, 16 tilapia, and 8 crustacean hatcheries.Results and discussionThe major findings and their implications are as follows. (1) The number of hatcheries increased by 15% over the past decade, with a 27% increase in fish hatcheries and a 47% decrease in crustacean hatcheries. (2) Carp and tiger shrimp were the most commonly produced fish and crustacean seeds, contributing 67% and 99% of volume and 66% and 97% of sales value, respectively. (3) The hatcheries were family-owned and operated enterprise, and generated a total 2,491 full time equivalent (FTE) jobs. (4) Hatcheries used 86% of their broodstock annually and replaced them regularly for improving quality and avoiding inbreeding. (5) 18% of hatcheries reported facing diseases and/or water quality problems, but mean economic loss was only 0.71% of seed sales value, which is a low level of loss and waste. (6) Average annual net profit margin was relatively modest, averaging 54% of the gross revenue, which suggests the existence of competitive seed production and marketing. The results showed that the hatchery segment in southern Bangladesh appears to be dynamic, well developed, efficient, and relatively competitive.

Measuring network efficiency of the aquaculture value chain in Turkey

The objectives of this study were: (i) to analyze trout and sea bream/sea bass value chains in Turkey; (ii) to estimate the overall efficiency of trout and sea bream/sea bass value chains in Turkey by market type; (iii)to compare the profit margins and individual efficiency levels of producers, wholesalers, and retailers within each value chain. Research data sources were fish farms producing trout and sea bream/sea bass, as well as processors, wholesalers, exporters, and retailers along the value chain. Producer-level data were collected from 30 cultured fish farms in the Muğla province, using a simple random sampling method. Other actor-level data were identified using the snowball technique based on the response of the previous actor. Value chain analysis was conducted using the Porter model. A multi-stage network Data Envelopment Analysis model was used to estimate overall efficiency. Research results showed that in the domestic market, producers added the most value to both trout and sea bream/sea bass value chains while gaining the lowest total net profit. In the overseas market, sea bream/sea bass producers added the most value to the value chain, but gained a smaller total net profit than retailers. Trout producers added the second most value to the value chain but obtained a lower total net profit than retailers and processors. Research results also showed that retailers had the highest net profit margin in both value chains in the overseas market. In the domestic value chain, producers and wholesalers had the highest net profit margins in the sea bream/sea bass market, while producers had the highest net profit margin in the trout market. Based on the network efficiency analysis results for the domestic fresh fish market, the individual efficiency score of intermediaries increased as fish moved from producers toward the other links in the network. Producers had the lowest efficiency score in the overseas processed fish market. This study suggests carrying out holistic training and education, focused on creating fair value chains for fresh and processed fish with the cooperation of all parties. This would increase both the overall efficiency of value chain networks and the individual efficiency of intermediaries. Building a more collaborative culture among fish farmers, processors, exporters, and retailers along the fresh and processed fish value chains, and promoting communication between them, can also lead to increased efficiency of intermediaries.

Transformation of the feed supply segment of the aquaculture value chain in Bangladesh

The rapid growth of aquaculture in Bangladesh over the past three decades has been facilitated by increasing supplementary feed use and increasing numbers of feed suppliers, but little is known about the organization and behavior of the feed supply segment of aquaculture value chain. We conducted a comprehensive survey with 79 feed suppliers of two types: ‘dealers’ linked to feed companies (n = 34) and independent retailers (n = 45), in the seven main aquaculture producing districts of southern Bangladesh in 2021 to address this knowledge gap. We found the following. (1) Over the past 10 years, the number of traders increased 70% and the volume of feed traded almost doubled. (2) Feed supply is shifting from traditional agricultural byproducts to formulated feeds (47% of total feed), and floating feeds as a subset of those (54% of formulated feed), contributing to increasing farm productivity. (3) The formulated fish feed market in Bangladesh is diverse, but quite concentrated. Feed suppliers sold formulated feed produced by 35 companies, with eight companies accounting for 74% of sales. (4) Feed handling practices are efficient. Traders sell feeds quickly (average turnover time 10 days) and storage practices are adequate to maintain quality. (5) No traders reported experiencing any waste or loss of feed during their most recent completed transaction, and only 5% of traders reported losing a small portion of feed (1.7%) during transport. (6) The average profit margin earned by feed suppliers is a modest 6.2%. (7) Feed trading creates substantial employment: 43,937 full time equivalent (FTE) jobs in the seven surveyed districts. In sum, the feed supply segment of the aquaculture value chain in southern Bangladesh is dynamic, well-developed, and relatively competitive and efficient. This finding is contrary to the conventional wisdom, which often portrays the sector as inefficient and beset by problems.

Drivers of captive relationships in the pangasius and tilapia value chains in Bangladesh

The aquaculture sector plays an important role in food security, poverty alleviation and sustainable livelihoods in many developing countries. However, the positive impacts of participating in aquaculture activities, especially for small-scale producers, are hampered by lack of access to resources, distribution of risks and power asymmetries. In this study, we investigate power asymmetries and their influence on value addition in Bangladeshi value chains for pangasius and tilapia. A face-to-face survey was conducted with 1099 actors along these aquaculture value chains, the results of which suggest that power scores, power relationships and drivers of captive governance are present in the two value chains, and, in light of this, we evaluated the role played by ‘power’ in the strategic purchasing decisions of actors. Overall, we found asymmetric power scores and adverse captive governance in the relationships between farmers and feed sellers, whereas market governance and a more level competitive environment prevail in the remaining parts of the supply chain. Based on logistic regression, we identified the influential drivers of captive governance by calculating the odds ratio of significant variables. The knowledge, information and contract terms and conditions of feed sellers put them in an advantageous position over farmers.

Status of Freshwater Aquaculture in Gujarat: A Trend Analysis and Potential

This study was undertaken during 2022 in the Regional Research Center of ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Anand, Gujarat, India to study the present status and potential in the development of freshwater aquaculture in the state of Gujarat. The present seed production (2608.37 million fry) and Inland fish production (0.158 MT) in Gujarat is forecasted to reach 3100 million fry and 0.22 MT in 2030; 4600 million fry and 3.14 MT in 2050, respectively. The Regional Research station of ICAR-CIFA had contributed significantly in promoting aquaculture by imparting skill training and providing technical backup to fish farmers. Authors argue that in order to further develop freshwater aquaculture value chain, concerted efforts are required to disseminate technology packages for fish breeding and seed rearing, semi-intensive culture practices, diversified fish farming, scientific management (fish feed and nutrition, water quality and fish health), ornamental fish farming, pearl production and cluster-based fish farming. However, successful implementation of suggested points will be depending on the sustainable adaptive capacity of the freshwater aquaculture producers, entrepreneurs, strategies and planning of policy makers and line departments of various state departments, input dealers and buyers in the state of Gujarat. Hence, they need to be supported in terms of skill, policy and market towards establishing a vibrant fish value chain. Therefore, adoption of BMPs, nurturing entrepreneurs, aggregating farmers and strengthening extension services are recommended.

Seaweed aquaculture through the lens of gender: Participation, roles, pay and empowerment in Bantayan, Philippines

Aquaculture is one of the fastest growing food-producing sectors worldwide. Of particular importance is the cultivation of seaweed, particularly in East and Southeast Asia where seaweeds dominate the production market, and are key for coastal communities both as main livelihood source and as alternative or supplementary income to fisheries. Women play a crucial role in various segments of the seaweed aquaculture value chain; yet few researchers have empirically examined the gendered impacts of women’s participation in aquaculture. Using the case study of Bantayan Island, in the Philippines, the objective of this study is to deepen our understanding of the impact of women’s participation in aquaculture by specifically investigating their roles, remuneration and empowerment related to the production node of seaweed aquaculture. Adopting a novel research approach, which combines the outcomes of a focus group discussion and the data collected through two questionnaires, we provide a comprehensive and robust understanding of gender issues in aquaculture. Results of the economic analysis of labour costs indicate that women constitute most of the workforce but are paid less than men; the average gender pay gap is 55.4%. Moreover, our study finds that there is a well-established gendered division of labour in seaweed aquaculture. Greater female participation is not mirrored by more women in leadership roles and decision-making power in the workplace, although participation may have a positive impact on female intrahousehold empowerment. An important contribution of our analysis is to show that gender stereotypes in aquaculture production persist and they affect roles, wages and decision-making power. Acknowledging the fundamental contribution of women in aquaculture can inform the development of gender-sensitive indicators, supporting the measurement of progress towards relevant Targets of the fifth Sustainable Development Goal (“ Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls ”), therefore mainstreaming gender into resource management, and poverty alleviation

Review on the role of women along the aquaculture value chain in Kenya

Aquaculture is perceived as masculine work in most regions despite several years of women’s involvement in the sector. Women participate in almost all activities of the aquaculture value chain such as pond construction, sorting of seeds, fertilization of ponds, making and mending of fishing gears, fish harvesting, processing, value addition, transport, and marketing. The majority of women engage in aquaculture to earn income and food for the household. Women’s involvement in aquaculture has led to the creation of more job opportunities thus increasing income generation for rural women. Nevertheless, women face several challenges in aquaculture with the most critical one being limited access to income despite their heavy involvement. They also lack limited access to certified seed, high cost of feeds, and collaterals to access credit. The promotion of aquaculture, gender equity, and empowerment of women and youths has been promoted through various initiatives including Sustainable Development Goals and Blue Economy. However, gender discrepancies are still high despite both gender playing fundamental roles in aquaculture development. Therefore, there is a need to promote gender equity as it will lead to recognition of their full potential towards increasing production, productivity, processing, trade, and economic growth.

Value chains and market access for aquaculture products

AbstractAquaculture contributes significantly to global food security, poverty alleviation, and international fish trade. Aquaculture products have become some of the most globalized food commodities, attracting the interest of diverse stakeholders that scrutinize industry developments, through the lenses of the global value chain (GVC) approach to analyze and understand the dynamics and roles at value chain nodes of key players, economic costs and benefits, value addition and value creation and to develop policy options and suitable market instruments for the promotion of sustainable aquaculture. Key characteristics of the aquaculture GVC are that most of the production takes place in developing countries, involving mostly small‐scale operators, while 60 to 70% of the demand (in value) occurs in Europe, North America, and Japan. As a consequence, the institutional and operational capacity of the producing countries is challenged to comply with increasingly demanding regulations and standards for consumer protection, social, and environmental requirements in order to participate actively in the aquaculture GVC. This article reviews the current status and the issues facing aquaculture value chains. It focuses on the challenges and perspectives for aquaculture value chain development, their main drivers, implications, and opportunities for the future of the aquaculture GVC.

Evaluating the potential of innovations across aquaculture product value chains for poverty alleviation in Bangladesh and India

Evidence is presented that innovation across aquaculture value chains can contribute to poverty reduction through income generation and increased consumption of nutritious aquatic foods. Innovation is defined and contextualized in relation to aquaculture development. Opportunities for aquaculture innovation across value chains for poverty reduction and sustainable production are described. Contemporary trends in aquaculture development in Bangladesh and India, with a focus on 2011-2020, are reviewed, as understanding transformative change to aquatic food systems during this period could benefit millions of poor and marginal consumers. Market-led commercial production, instigated by private sector entrepreneurs for domestic markets, has underpinned the surge in freshwater fish culture in key geographical locations. In contrast booms in shrimp production have been associated with export opportunities and related cycles of boom-and-bust have been described, with busts attributed to falling market prices and disease outbreaks. Innovation could safeguard supplies of affordable fish to poorer groups (especially young children and pregnant and breastfeeding women) and enable better health management of aquatic animals including coordination of surveillance and disease control measures. Innovation to effectively promote better management practices and integrated services provision to large numbers of small- and medium-scale producers could contribute to poverty reduction. Opportunities for future innovation to ensure that aquaculture development is sustainable are critically reviewed. Innovative strategies to add value to by-products and utilize waste resources could avoid negative environmental impacts, recycle nutrients and create income generating opportunities. A new paradigm for development assistance that identifies and supports promising innovation trajectories across jurisdictions, product value chains, institutional regimes and food systems is needed. Government agencies must be responsive to the needs of businesses throughout aquatic food systems and devise policies and regulatory regimes that support transformative and sustained growth of the aquaculture sector. Investment in capacity-building, education, research and training and action to promote an enabling institutional environment must be regarded as essential elements to maximize and share equitably the benefits arising and avoid potential negative impacts of inappropriate innovations.