ICAR-CIFRI Highlights Role of Women Fishers in the Sundarbans at Mahila Matsyajibi Sammelan 3.0
25 November 2025, New Delhi: The ICAR–Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CIFRI), Barrackpore, organised the third Mahila Matsyajibi Sammelan at Kultali, Sundarbans, in partnership with the Kultali Milantirth Society to mark World Fisheries Day. The meet placed a spotlight on the role of women in inland fisheries and their contribution to household and community livelihoods in the delta.
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The programme was inaugurated by Dr. Joykrushna Jena, Deputy Director General (Fisheries Science), ICAR, and Dr. Rajbir Singh, Deputy Director General (Agriculture Extension), ICAR. Dr. Jena noted that fisheries remain integral to livelihood systems in the Sundarbans and emphasised ICAR’s commitment to expanding access to scientific practices through its institutions and KVKs in the region.
Dr. Rajbir Singh underlined the increasing participation of women in farming, fishing, processing and market linkages, adding that emerging opportunities in the blue economy are shaping new livelihood pathways for women in the Sundarbans.
Dr. B. K. Das, Director, ICAR-CIFRI, outlined the institute’s work over the past decade across Gosaba, Hingalgunj, Namkhana, Kakdwip and Kultali. These interventions include backyard pond culture, canal fisheries and ornamental fish production, which have supported fish farmers, including women, in diversifying income and building stable livelihood options.
Support to SC/ST Women Fish-Farmers
As part of the programme, ICAR-CIFRI distributed fish fingerlings and CageGrow feed to 600 SC and ST women fish-farmers with backyard ponds measuring 0.02–0.04 ha. The beneficiaries were identified from 38 hamlets under 17 Gram Panchayats in Gosaba and Basanti blocks. Prior to distribution, ICAR-CIFRI scientists conducted field visits and provided pond-specific technical guidance to improve productivity.
The Sundarbans, exposed to cyclones and tidal surges, depends heavily on fisheries for livelihood continuity. Since 2013, more than 5,500 fishers have adopted small-scale inland fisheries and ornamental fish farming through ICAR-CIFRI’s SCSP/TSP initiatives, contributing to livelihood resilience in the region.
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