ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CIFRI) has provided fish seed, feed and lime along with technical support to 500-odd distressed fish farmers of Kultali in Sunderbans to help them improve their livelihoods. Led by director B K Das, ICAR-CIFRI has also empowered rural women with technical support and technological inputs for ornamental fish farming. “The aim is to ensure that an investment of Rs 32 lakh in a cluster of 500 fishermen in the area generates around Rs 2 crore,” Das said.
Three lakh fish seed, 52.5 tonne fish feed, 10 tonne lime and 55 ornamental units were distributed among 555 people. Live demonstrations, mass awareness events and on-site training and capacity building programmes were also held.
Fish is an integral part of the lives, livelihoods and diets of people living in the Sunderbans. Every household has a backyard pond. The major chunk of their harvest from pisciculture is for their own consumption with only 15%-20% sold in the market.
Following ICAR-CIFRI intervention, each household has, on an average, sold 100-150 kg fish for Rs 10,000-15,000 in the past six months and has a standing stock of around 60%. “It is expected that 200-300 kg of fish will be harvested from the backyard ponds with an anticipated average income of Rs 22,000-30,000, leading to income of Rs 1.3 crore from this cluster apart from household consumption,” said Das.