ICAR-CIFRI’s Initiatives to Empower Tribal Women of Chhotanagpur Platue Region through Inland Fisheries

Purulia, a district in the western part of West Bengal, India, is home to a significant tribal population, making up 18.45% of the total. These tribal communities face various socio-economic challenges, with women being the most marginalized. Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5), which focuses on gender equality and empowering women and girls, is vital to addressing the deep-rooted gender inequality in Purulia. Tribal women in the region experience a triple burden of exclusion due to poverty, gender inequality, and limited access to education and healthcare. Issues such as early marriage, domestic violence, and rigid traditional roles further restrict their opportunities.

Keeping this background in view, the ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CIFRI) has taken an initiative to empower the tribal women of Purulia to secure their livelihoods and nutritional security for tribal communities in the drought-prone areas of Govindopur, Manbazar, Purulia in West Bengal. This initiative focuses on empowering economically marginalized tribal women through community-managed aquaculture in locally available rainfed water bodies known as bandhs. ICAR-CIFRI has provided the necessary training, resources, and support under the Scheduled Tribe Component. A total of eight bandhs (rainfed waterbodies), covering an area of over 40 acres were selected for community fish culture. About tribal women, organized into 22 Self Help Groups (SHGs) will be benefitted from the project.

ICAR-CIFRI distributed 1,600 kg of fish seeds and 16 tons of CIFRI cage grow feed to help initiate fish farming in these waterbodies. Prior to the distribution, women from the community underwent comprehensive training on community pond management, equipping them with the knowledge to sustainably manage water resources and improve their income and food security.

In addition to its economic benefits, the initiative also focuses on addressing the nutritional needs of the tribal community. In collaboration with National Award winning Head Master of Govindapur Primary School, Moynadanga Social Welfare Society, and with graceful presence of Block Development Officer Mr. Debashis Dhar, Panchayat Samity President Mrs. Sabita Mudi, and Dr. Basanta Kumar Das and Dr. Aparna Roy, ICAR-CIFRI organized an awareness camp at Govindopur Primary School. It was decided that 50% of the fish produced by the SHGs would be allocated to the school's mid-day meal program, which will help to secure the nutritional needs of the tribal children.

During the sensitization programme, Dr. B.K Das, Director of ICAR-CIFRI, highlighted the probable impact of the initiative, emphasizing that empowering women through fish farming will not only improve their livelihoods but also strengthen the entire community. This initiative is a vital step towards ensuring food security, better health, and sustainable growth for the community, paving the way for a more resilient and self-sufficient future.