ICAR-CIFA imparts Training to 20 Women Farmers in Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar, Aug 25: The ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture , Bhubaneswar a premier Institute for freshwater aquaculture research in the country, is operating a Research Project Gender mainstreaming in freshwater aquaculture-an action research. As part of this project as many as 161 women belonging to 10 self help groups are being exposed to composite carp culture and other aquaculture technologies.
One day training cum exposure was organized on the other day at KVK Khurdha in which 20 selected beneficiaries are participating. Aim of this training is to impart necessary skill for rearing carp seed by utilizing unused backyard pond, that hold water for 3-4 months could be utilized profitably. The project commenced in the year 2012 in two districts namely Puri and Khurdha.
Skill training on various aspects of aquaculture was organized at ICAR-CIFA. In order to motivate the women adopting scientific practices of aquaculture key inputs like fish seed, feed & chemicals were provided in the first year. Supplementary feeding, health management, maintaining soil and water quality etc were demonstrated. In the subsequent years the project beneficiaries used their own resources for buying fish seed, feed and other inputs. The SHGs are maintaining bank accounts. They put in proceeds from the sale of the surplus fish , after meeting their household consumption requirement.
Smt. Ranulata , Secretary, Maa Mangala Nari Shakti SHG, Paribasudeipur, informed that women SHG has been immensely benefitted by adopting scientific aquaculture. Her group has leased in four community pond this year for fish culture.”Today’s programme on carp seed rearing is a timely intervention. My group would practice seed rearing for meeting our own requirement as well as selling the surplus as source of rearing” said Smt Laxmi Sethi, Secretary, Pragati, WSHG, Jaipur Puri. She thanked the leader of the project, Dr. P Jayasankar for his support in providing technological support in freshwater aquaculture. In addition to carp culture, seed rearing the women beneficiaries are also exposed to value addition through carp pickle, prawn pickle etc.
As many as 60 women in 3 batched were provided training in value addition of carps/prawn. Now there women prepare value added fish products (ready to eat) wherever they have surplus fish with them.
“The project is of the novel initiatives of the ICAR-CIFA. Through this the institute is aiming at maintain gender concern in aquaculture. It is very heartening to note that the women beneficiaries have adopted scientific fish farming in their leased ponds. It is envisaged that through seed rearing and value addition technologies, the socio-economic status of the women will improve, which in long run will contribute to their empowerment”, said Dr. P. Jayasankar.