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Blue Revolution at Sagar Island: Empowering women through Scheduled Caste Sub Plan

20^th April, 2025

ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CIFRI), Barrackpore, has been actively implementing various initiatives to support the development of the rural community of Sundarbans for livelihood development and Nutritional security. These efforts include demonstrations on backyard pond fish farming, development of canal fisheries, promotion of ornamental fish culture, establishment of carp hatchery units, and conducting multiple training and awareness programmes. Additionally, ICAR-CIFRI also played a key role in helping communities cope with the adverse impacts of natural disasters such as cyclones and floods in this region. Since 2018 the institute has benefited more than 3500 rural SC and ST communities, including women.

Shri Bankim Chandra Hazra, Honourable Minister of Sundarban Affairs, Government of West Bengal inaugurated the FRP carp hatchery under Tribal Sub plan programme of ICAR-CIFRI in the presence of Dr. B. K. Das, Director, ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore. The FRP hatchery will support in achieving the Atmanirvar Sunderban for fish seed production, Livelihoods development and economic empowerment as well as reduce the dependency on outside fish seed procurement in the Sagar Island.
As a key step toward enhancing the livelihoods of SC women, ICAR-CIFRI conducted input distribution and a mass awareness programme on April 20, 2025 for backyard pond fish culture in Sagar Island under SCSP. The distribution event, held in Rudranagar, Sagar Island was graced by Honourable Minister of Sundarban Affairs, Government of West Bengal. He highlighted the contribution of ICAR-CIFRI for the livelihood development of fishers in the island, especially for women's empowerment. Dr. B. K. Das, Director of ICAR-CIFRI, highlighted the importance of scientific fish farming and urged the women beneficiaries to make the best use of the inputs provided by the institute to enhance both income and nutrition.

Under this program, 350 SC women from various Gram Panchayats of the Sagar Community Development Block benefited. Each beneficiary received 6 kg Indian Major Carp (IMC) fingerlings and 80 kg fish feed for the demonstration. Each of these women possesses small backyard ponds, ranging in size from 0.02 to 0.04 hectares. This initiative is designed to create an additional source of income without interfering with their daily household responsibilities from their backyard ponds and also providing nutritional security. This initiative is part of a larger livelihood development program aimed at encouraging sustainable fish production in the Sunderban islands.