Daw Han Kyi is preparing necessary ingredients to produce fish crackers.

Daw Han Thi, a housewife in her late 50’s, from the small village in Ayeyarwady Region, is proving that it’s never too late to turn knowledge into opportunity. Living with her husband, her daughter’s family, and her granddaughter, Daw Han Thi had long wanted to contribute more to the household income.

But it was not until October 2024, when she attended a training on post-harvest management and hygienic seafood processing run by FAO and Kyal Sin May, a local organization, that her journey truly began.

The training introduced her to a range of value-added seafood products—dried fish, fish paste, and fish crackers. Among them, one item, fish crackers, stood out. In her village, fish crackers are a popular snack among people in her village, but they are always bought from elsewhere, no one in her community knew how to make them locally. Daw Han Thi saw this as an opportunity.

Within a month, she had launched her own micro-enterprise, producing homemade fish crackers from her family’s daily catch. Making them in her kitchen, she sold them at village gatherings, local schools, and door-to-door within the community. Each packet cost 500 MMK (approximately 10 cents), making it affordable for everyone.

The response was immediate and overwhelmingly positive. Her fish crackers quickly became a hit with both children and adults, often selling out within hours of being made. Beyond their taste, villagers appreciated the freshness, price, and the fact that the snack was now locally made by someone they knew and trusted.

What started as a simple idea quickly became a source of income. Compared to selling raw fish alone, her crackers now bring in an extra 4 000 to 6 000 MMK (approximately 90 cents to USD $1.30) per sale. Her daughter has joined in the production, and the whole community has rallied around her with encouragement and repeat orders.

As the only fish cracker maker in the village, Daw Han Thi did not keep her knowledge to herself. She shared her process with others and encouraged fellow women to consider starting similar ventures. With plans to expand into new flavors, like pumpkin and shrimp crackers, she dreams of further growing her small enterprise.

Daw Han Thi’s story is a powerful example of how a bit of technical training, combined with determination and local resources, can lead to real transformation—not just for one woman, but for an entire community. From housewife to entrepreneur, she’s proving that women can be economic agents, regardless of age or location.

This project contributes to SDG 14, and FAO’s better production.