Empowering Female Farmers in High-Value Ornamental Fish Breeding and Culture

On the 2nd of August 2024, the ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Kolkata Centre, hosted a training-cum-demonstration program on ‘High-value Ornamental Fish Breeding and Culture’ for 20 woman farmers from South 24 Parganas district in West Bengal. The event, which took place from the 31st of July to the 2nd of August, was led by Dr. Ravishankar C.N., the Director/Vice-Chancellor of ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, and supervised by Dr. T.K. Ghoshal, Head of ICAR-CIFE, Kolkata Centre.

The Chief Guest for the Valedictory Session, Dr. P.K. Mukhopadhyay, Former Head of ICAR-CIFA, Regional Research Station, Rahara, emphasized the importance of incorporating high-value ornamental fish species in homestead rearing units to improve the income and livelihood of rural communities. Dr. Mukhopadhyay suggested using home-made feed made from locally available ingredients and enhancing the color of ornamental fish using household vegetables to increase their market value.

During the program, two Self-help Groups of woman farmers were provided with high-value bicolour/tricolour lionhead goldfish to support their ornamental fish rearing venture under the SCSP Scheme. The participants gained hands-on experience in breeding high-value ornamental fish species, managing water quality, preparing feed, and had the opportunity to visit a well-established ornamental fish culture farm in Howrah.

The training program aimed to empower woman farmers in South 24 Parganas district by equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to successfully breed and culture high-value ornamental fish species. By introducing them to new techniques and practices, the program sought to enhance their income and livelihoods, ultimately contributing to the economic development of the rural community.

Overall, the training-cum-demonstration program organized by ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Kolkata Centre, was a valuable opportunity for woman farmers to learn and engage in high-value ornamental fish breeding and culture. The knowledge and experience gained during the program will undoubtedly benefit the participants in their future endeavors in the field of ornamental fish rearing.