ICAR-CIFRI Empowers Tribal Fishers through Ornamental Fish Culture Initiative

15 November 2025, New Delhi: The ICAR–Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CIFRI), Barrackpore, in collaboration with the A.K. Dasgupta Centre for Planning and Development, Visva-Bharati, Shantiniketan, organised an input distribution and awareness programme under the Schedule Tribe Component (STC) at Shantiniketan on 14 November 2025.

As part of the initiative, ornamental fish tanks and culture kits were distributed to 30 tribal fishers of the district to promote sustainable livelihood opportunities through ornamental fish farming. The programme aimed at enhancing income generation, entrepreneurship, and skill development among tribal communities.

Experts from ICAR-CIFRI and Visva-Bharati sensitised the beneficiaries on scientific fish culture practices, tank maintenance, and market linkages for ornamental fish trade. Dr. Aparna Roy, Scientist, ICAR-CIFRI, noted, “Ornamental fish farming offers an eco-friendly and economically viable livelihood option for small-scale fishers. With proper training and support, tribal communities can transform this activity into a viable source of income.”

Professor Bidhan Ch. Roy, Chair Professor, AKD Centre, encouraged the participants, saying, “This initiative will open new doors of livelihood for tribal fishers. We assure our continued support to strengthen their journey towards self-reliance.”

Led by Dr. B. K. Das, Director of ICAR-CIFRI, the event formed part of the institute’s commemoration of Jan Jatiya Gaurav Varsh Pakhwada 2025 (Nov 1–15), honouring tribal icon Bhagwan Birsa Munda. The programme highlighted his legacy and reinforced ICAR-CIFRI’s commitment to uplifting tribal communities through innovative and sustainable fisheries-based livelihood models.

One team from CIFRI consisting of one Scientist and two technical staff was present in the programme. At the onset of the programme, Dr. Aparna Roy, Sr. Scientist and In-charge, Extension and Training Cell, CIFRI welcomed the audience and briefed about the programme of “Jan Jatiya Gaurav Pakhwada”. Then, she pointed out the scope of generating an alternative way of livelihood through practising ornamental fish farming in a profitable manner. In this programme, ornamental fish farming kits and FRP tanks were distributed to 30 nos. of selected beneficiaries from ST community residing in the surrounding villages of Santiniketan, Birbhum. The main objective of the programme was to support the tribal fishers of this district in uplifting income as well as securing livelihood. Overall, the programme was successfully organized under the guidance of the Director of ICAR-CIFRI, Dr. B. K. Das keeping a satisfactory smile on the faces of the participants.

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