Training programme on “Basics of ornamental fish keeping” for the tribal women of Warungshi, Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra

ICAR-Central Institute on Fisheries Education, Mumbai organized a Training programme on “Basics of ornamental fish keeping” for tribal women of Warungshi, Ahmednagar District, Maharashtra under Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) during 29th to 31st January, 2018.

A total of thirty (30) tribal women were trained in the basics of ornamental fish keeping on 29th and 30th of January, 2018 followed by a field visit to the ornamental fish cages in Dimbhe reservoir, Pune, on 31st January, 2018.

The training programme covered theory and practical aspects of basics of rearing live bearers, fabrication and setting of aquariums, water quality management in aquariums, aeration and filtration in aquariums, role of feed and feeding habits of common ornamental fishes as well as beautification of the aquarium using accessories and aquarium plants.

During the field visit to Dimbhe reservoir, participants had interactions with the tribal community of Dimbhe engaged in ornamental fish culture in cages. They also visited the cages where ornamental fishes are being reared and the shop which has been set up with intervention from ICAR-CIFE and being maintained by tribal women self-help groups.

The trainees were inspired to organize themselves into self-help groups similar to that of Dimbhe and were provided first-hand information on starting their own enterprises related to ornamental fish keeping, culture and selling of aquarium accessories.

The participating tribal women were sensitized through this training programme about the opportunity of achieving economic independence through ornamental fish culture and aquarium keeping following which, they showed a keen interest in the same and wished to set up their own small units with the help of microfinance from leading public sector organizations.

(Source: ICAR-Central Institute on Fisheries Education, Mumbai)