ICAR-CIFRI demonstrates successful Pen Culture of Olive Barb in Tamranga Beel, Bongaigaon, Assam.

Oct 2025 : The ICAR–Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CIFRI), Barrackpore, successfully carried out a Front Line Demonstration (FLD) of Systomus sarana (Olive Barb) in CIFRI HDPE pen enclosures at Tamranga beel, in the Bongaigaon district of Assam, under the ICAR–WorldFish Collaborative Project. To mark the successful harvest of pen-reared fishes, a Field Day on “Harvest of fishes reared in pens” and an awareness programme on “Pen culture in beels for livelihood” was organised at Tamranga beel on October 14, 2025.

The programme was held under the overall guidance of Dr. B. K. Das, Director, ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore; Dr. S. K. Majhi, Head, and Dr. B. K. Bhattacharjya, Principal Scientist, ICAR-CIFRI Regional Centre, Guwahati

Mr. Harun Rashid Mondal, Sub-Divisional Fishery Officer, Abhyapuri, Bongaigaon district, graced the occasion as Chief Guest, while Mr. P. Kalita, Fishery Development Officer, also participated in the event. The programme drew about 60 participants including beel lessees, fish farmers, local officials, and scientists.

In his welcome address, Dr. P. Das outlined the objectives of the event. Dr. B. K. Bhattacharjya presented details of the successful pen culture demonstration and emphasised the potential of beel fisheries in improving the livelihoods of local fishers. While addressing the gathering, Dr. B. K. Das highlighted the ongoing ICAR–WorldFish collaborative initiatives in Assam and West Bengal, focusing on sustainable management of open water fisheries. He underscored the importance of community participation in beel fisheries management and expressed ICAR-CIFRI’s commitment to diversifying high-value species in pen culture systems for enhanced fisher income.

Mr. Kalita briefed participants on various fisheries development and insurance schemes of the Government of Assam, encouraging fishers to take advantage of these opportunities. Shri H. R. Mondal appreciated ICAR-CIFRI’s efforts in successfully demonstrating pen culture of high-value species and encouraged large-scale adoption of the practice in Tamranga beel.

Mr. Uttam Kumar Das, lessee of Tamranga beel, expressed gratitude to ICAR-CIFRI for providing technical and input support and requested continued assistance in the future. The programme concluded with a formal vote of thanks delivered by Dr. S. Borah.

On the occasion, Systomus sarana (Olive barb) reared in CIFRI HDPE pens were successfully harvested. Dr. Das remarked that the success of this demonstration proves that pen culture in beels can significantly enhance fish production and improve the livelihood of fishers.

Team Maverick