The main objective of the Scheduled Caste SubPlan is to give a thrust to the socio-economic development of the scheduled caste living below the poverty line, by providing fisheries inputs for filling the critical gaps for their livelihood improvement. ICAR-CIFRI is implementing SCSP schemes to empower SC community through the distribution of fisheries inputs and also imparting knowledge on inland fisheries.  

Women’s empowerment through ornamental fisheries

Ornamental fish culture was demonstrated for the livelihood improvement of the fishers of the SC community of Amatali and Kochukali of Sundarbans, West Bengal.  Seventy (70) ornamental culture kit and FRP tanks were distributed in the two villages. Another two ornamental fish clusters were developed this year in West Bengal.

Another cluster of ornamental fish culture comprising 50 women was developed in Kultali, West Bengal. Each woman was provided with an ornamental fish culture unit consisting of FRP tanks, aerator, heater, aquatic plant, medicines, feeds, covering nets, extension wire and ornamental fish. The Institute developed an ornamental fish culture cluster in the adopted villages of Nimpith with the help of  Ramkrishna Ashram Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Nimpith, by adopting 50 Scheduled caste women. The Institute distributed 50 units of FRP ornamental tanks with fish-feed, ornamental fish and other accessories to the SC women.

Distribution of ornamental fish culture units

Fish production enhancement from rainfed backyard ponds

Fish production enhancements from individual ponds were also targeted this year under SCSP. The fish farmers were sensitized and provided with fish farming inputs. In Kultali area of Sunderban, 196 fishers were provided with fish seed, lime and fish feed for their livelihoods improvements Sagar island was most affected in Cyclone “Amphan” for the livelihoods improvement of the fish farmers, sensitization for the necessary steps for fish production enhancement was carried out and 250 SC beneficiaries were provided with fish seed, feed and lime.

Restoration of the YAAS-affected fish culture units in Sunderbans

The cyclone YAAS caused massive devastation in Sunderbans affecting fishers and fish farmers severely. To strengthen their livelihood, the institute supported the farmers by providing fishery inputs to restore the fishing and other pisciculture activities in the affected areas. In the Sahebkhali and Amtali areas of the Sundarbans, 4000 kg of lime, 42000 kg of feed, 2200 kg of fish seed and 80 litres of fish medicine were distributed among the 400 SC fish farmers. Additionally, 200 kg fish seed was released in two canals of these areas for sustainable canal fisheries development in Sunderbans. On this occasion, two awareness camps were also organised.

Fisheries awareness and input distribution programmes were organised in the YAAS-devastated Sagar island of the Sunderban. Nearly, 250 SC fish farmers had participated and 3 bags of fish feed and 3 kg of fish seeds and 10 kg lime were distributed to each of them. Fishers were also encouraged to do fish culture activity in a sustainable way. Fisheries awareness and input distribution programme were also organized in Kultoli area. About 500 SC fish farmers participated and 52.5 t fish feed, 3.3 lakhs fish seeds, and 10 t lime were distributed among them. 

Fish Production enhancement from Backyard Ponds in Sunderbans

The Institute developed the backyard pond fisheries in the Sunderban area. Fisheries input including fish seed, fish feed, medicines and lime was distributed to 1000 people in Kultali, Sundarbans to provide extra income and nutritional security by utilising their backyard ponds for fish production. The SC beneficiaries supported by the SCSP programme in the previous year were also revived in the sensitization programme, fish seed and fish feed were distributed for livelihood development through fisheries. Fishery inputs viz. fish fingerlings, fish feed, lime etc were distributed to 250 beneficiaries at Ganga Sagar towards livelihood development and empowering Sagar Islands fishers. ICAR-CIFRI is tirelessly extending need-based support to the rural distressed fish farmers of Sunderban by providing various technological inputs for rejuvenating their livelihood under the SCSP programs. The initiative of ICAR-CIFRI for fish production enhancement from backyard ponds was highly appreciated by the Hon’ble Minister In Charge, Department of Sundarban Affairs, Shri Bankim Chandra Hazra. He also emphasized that the cyclone-prone Sunderban needs this type of intervention for their livelihood improvement.

Distribution of fisheries implements for backyard pond fish Production enhancement

Empowering women for sustainable livelihood development through backyard pond fish farming

Backyard pond fish culture is a simple intervention which is considered one of the best options to improve livelihood of rural community. ICAR-CIFRI adopted SC women of Sunderbans for livelihood development through inland fisheries. Women Fishers Meet (Mahila Matasyajibi Sammelan) was organized to sensitize the women of Sunderban on the opportunities of inland fisheries for livelihood development. Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Secretary, DARE, Govt. of India and Director General, ICAR inaugurated and graced the occasion. Various fisheries inputs such as fish seed, fish feed and lime were provided to the 470 SC women from 38 hamlets under 17 GPs of Gosaba and Basanti block of Sundarbans for backyard pond fish farming.

An awareness programme on backyard pond fish culture was organized in collaboration with Kultali Milon Tirtha Society at Kultali, South 24 Parganas, West Bengal. Fisheries inputs in the form of fish seed and feed were distributed to the 100 SC women from six villages (Amjhara, Basanti, Ramchandrakhali, Uttar Mokamberia, Fulmalancha, Charavidya) of Basanti, Sunderban. 

                    

Income generation and livelihood support through Ornamental Fish Culture

ICAR-CIFRI adopted 50 SC women of Sajnekhali, West Bengal and distributed ornamental fish culture unit consisting of FRP tank, aerator and other accessories, ornamental fish and ornamental fish feed to the individuals. In collaboration with Sasya Shyamala KVK, Sonarpur, West Bengal awareness cum input distribution programme on ornamental fish culture was organized. Ornamental fish culture units were received by 22 women beneficiaries who participated in the demonstration cum start up programme.

Mahila Matsyajibi Sammelan

In collaboration with the Kultali Milan Tirtha Society, the institute organized Mahila Matasyajibi Sammelan (Women Fishers Meet) at Kultali, Sundarban, West Bengal on 19 May 2023. Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Secretary, DARE, Govt. of India, and DG, ICAR, inaugurated the event as the Chief Guest. Other distinguished guests were Dr. B. K. Das, Director, ICAR-CIFRI; Dr. Gouranga Kar, Director, ICAR-CRIJAF; and Dr. D. B. Shakyawar, Director, ICAR-NINFET. Dr. Pathak, in his address, said that the rural population of Sundarban is suffering due to continuous natural disasters like cyclones. He acknowledged the excellent and exceptional work carried out by ICAR-CIFRI for the livelihood enhancement of women fishers in the Sundarban. Around five thousand fishers, including 3,000 women, participated in the meet.

Women Fishers Meet at Kultali, Sundarban

 Mahila Matsyajibi Sammelan 2.0

Enhancing the livelihoods of fishers through SCSP initiatives continues to be a key focus of the Institute. Various fisheries technologies, such as culture-based fisheries (CBF), pen culture in wetlands and reservoirs, backyard pond fish farming, ornamental fish production, and hill area aquaculture, were demonstrated across multiple regions of the country, including remote and challenging areas like the Sundarbans.  The demonstrations emphasized community participation, particularly involving local fishers and empowering rural women. To support these efforts, essential fisheries inputs were distributed to beneficiaries for hands-on demonstration of the technologies. In addition, the Institute organized awareness drives, training programmes, and sensitization workshops to build capacity and enhance the knowledge of Scheduled Caste (SC) fishers in inland open water fisheries. So far, over 8,000 SC fishers have benefitted from these initiatives through the distribution of inputs and capacity-building interventions.

Women Fish Farmers’ Day

The first-ever Women Fish Farmers’ Day (Mahila Matsyajibi Diwas) was celebrated on 26 December 2024 at Kultali in the Sundarbans to recognize the crucial role women play in fisheries and aquaculture. The event saw the participation of around 5,000 SC women. On this occasion, an additional 500 SC women were selected as new beneficiaries. Each received 80 kg of fish feed and 6 kg of fish seed to initiate or enhance their fish farming activities.

Krishi Mela 2025: Empowering Rural Women through Small Scale Fisheries

ICAR-CIFRI was awarded the Best Exhibition Stall Award at the Krishi Mela held on 24–25 February 2025 in Sonarpur, where the institute showcased its technologies to over 2,500 visitors, including farmers, students, and entrepreneurs. On 25th February 2025, ICAR-CIFRI organized a mass awareness programme in South 24 Parganas to promote backyard pond fish culture among rural women, in collaboration with Sasya Shyamala Krishi Vigyan Kendra (SSKVK) and RKMVERI, Narendrapur. As part of the SCSP programme, fisheries inputs, including 6 kg of fish seed and 80 kg of fish feed, were distributed to 100 Scheduled Caste women from four Gram Panchayats in Sonarpur Block, each owning pond areas between 0.02 to 0.04 ha. The initiative aims to enhance rural livelihoods and nutritional security through small-scale inland fisheries. Swami Shivapriyananda Ji Maharaj and Dr. B. K. Das lauded the initiative for its contribution to women’s empowerment and sustainable fish farming.

    

Sustainable Livelihoods for SC Women

On April 20, 2025, ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore, conducted a significant livelihood and empowerment initiative for Scheduled Caste (SC) women under the Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) at Sagar Island, West Bengal. As part of its ongoing efforts to improve rural livelihoods and nutritional security in the Sundarbans, ICAR-CIFRI distributed fish farming inputs including 6 kg of Indian Major Carp fingerlings and 80 kg of feed to 350 SC women owning small backyard ponds (0.02–0.04 ha). The programme was inaugurated by Shri Bankim Chandra Hazra, Hon’ble Minister of Sundarban Affairs, and also included the launch of an FRP carp hatchery under the Tribal Sub Plan to boost local fish seed production and reduce dependency on external sources. Dr. B.K. Das, Director, ICAR-CIFRI, emphasized the role of scientific fish farming in income generation and women’s empowerment. The initiative reinforces sustainable aquaculture practices while addressing both livelihood development and nutritional needs in the Sunderban region.