ICAR-CIFRI to develop ornamental fish village in Sargachi, West Bengal

19^th October 2022, Sargachi

To fulfil the vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore extended the support in a cluster basis to develop an ornamental fish village by adopting 30 women beneficiaries in its on-going SCSP programme at Dhanyaganga Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sargachi today.

The programme was inaugurated by head of the Ramakrishna Mission, Sargachi,  Swami Biswamayananda Ji Maharaj. In his inaugural speech Swamiji sensitized to fulfil the dream of the honourable PM to “Make in India” concept as an export hub of ornamental fish, rural women entrepreneurship in a small scale can lead the sector in an exportable front as they are the backbone of Indian economy. The effort by the ICAR-CIFRI in collaboration with the Ramakrishna Mission and newly established KVK, in its adopted village could enhance the visibility of the various programmes implemented in the village targeting to doubling farmer's income, he added. Swami Ji also stressed upon the women empowerment and encouraged them to come forward to show their interest for the wellbeing of their family by contributing from a tiny scale from the begin to a large scale with a span of 2-3 years that will build up a greater scope in the ornamental farming in the country as Bengal leads the ornamental farming from the front.

Dr. B. K. Das in his inaugural address briefed the various dimension of ICAR-CIFRI activities for uplifting the SC and tribal communities in the country as a whole and West Bengal in particular. He also discussed about the package of practice prepared in a manual form in the local language could benefit the newly adopted women beneficiaries and uplift their knowledge for the adoption of ornamental fish farming. He said that all hand holding supports for initial establishment would be provided from the institute under SCSP programme.

In this programme, all aspects of ornamental fish farming particularly handling of live-bearers was explained to the women beneficiaries with a video prepared by the institute. Live demonstration was conducted and inputs were distributed for the beneficiaries.

A Swachhata Campaign as well as a sensitization programme on AMR for rural women was also organised at the end of the demonstration.

This activity of ICAR-CIFRI is a continued effort on mission mode in which more than 450 beneficiaries in 4 states are adopted from the rural front. In association with various KVKs, Indian Science Congress Association, Rotary International, Ramakrishna Mission, reputed NGOs and district administrations particularly fisheries department.

(Source: ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore)