CIFRI Awards
ICAR-CIFRI adopted Sindrani and Duma wetlands located in the bordering of Bangaladesh in West Bengal under SCSP for demonstration of pen culture for the production enhancement under the leadership of Dr. B. K. Das, Director. Sindrani and Duma having an area of 46 ha and 227 ha areas respectively are horse shoe shaped wetlands disconnected from River Ichhamati. These wetlands are having low production and managed by the primary co-operative societies. A total of 271 nos and 934 nos of fishers were registered to the Sindrani and Duma wetland cooperatives respectively. The two wetlands office bearer were called to ICAR-CIFRI and a MoU was signed with them for the demonstration programe. As per the MoU, the fishers were provided with coracle, pen, fish feed etc. The pens were erected with community participation in both the wetlands. Sindrani was provided with 4 pens and Duma with 6 pens. On 21 st February 2021, ICAR-CIFRI had a Scientist- Fishers interaction in Sindrani and discussed with the more than 50 fishers on the issues of wetlands. Dr. B. K. Das, while addressed the gathering, motivated the fishers on the pen culture and informed about the beneficial impact of penculture for production enhancement from the wetland. He also stocked 60,000 fish seed in the pens of Sindrani wetlands with a target of additional 30 tons from the wetland. The farmers were also discussed about other issues and strategies for production enhancement from the reservoir. Another meeting was conducted with the fishers of Duma wetland in afternoon. A total of 52 fishers were present in the meeting and discussed on the key steps for the production enhancement approaches from the wetland. Director, ICAR-CIFRI released 90,000 fish seeds in the pens of Duma wetland with target of additional 40-50 ton from the penculture demonstration.in his address, he stress on the community participation and cooperation for the success of any intervention. He also clarified the importance of pen culture for in-situ raising the fish seeds in the wetland and its role in production enhancement. ICAR-CIFRI intervention will help in improve the livelihoods of 1205 fishers of both the wetlands. The programme was coordinated by Dr. P. K. Parida, In-charge, SCSP and supported by Mr. Kaushik Mandal, Mr Manabendra Roy, Mr. Purna Chandra and Ms. Sriya Bhattachrya of ICAR-CIFRI.
