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.
The aim of this training is to impart necessary skills for rearing carp seed by utilising unused backyard ponds. The project commenced in 2012 in two districts, Puri and Khurdha.
Skill training on various aspects of aquaculture was organised at ICAR-CIFA. In order to motivate the women to adopt scientific methods in aquaculture key inputs like fish seed, feed and chemicals were provided in the first year.
Supplementary feeding, health management, maintaining soil and water quality were demonstrated at the training. In the subsequent years of the project, the beneficiaries have used their own resources for buying fish seed, feed and other inputs.
The self help groups are maintaining bank accounts. They put in proceeds from the sale of the surplus fish, after meeting their household consumption requirement.
Women self help groups participating in the project have been immensely benefited by adopting scientific aquaculture.
”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 and seed rearing the women beneficiaries were also exposed to value addition through carp pickle, prawn pickle and so on. As many as 60 women in three batches were provided with training in value addition of carps and prawn.
Now the women prepare value added fish products (ready to eat) whenever they have surplus fish.
"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.
