Empowering Women Fishers in the Sundarbans: ICAR-CIFRI’s Mahila Matsyajibi Sammelan 3.0

The ICAR–Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CIFRI), Barrackpore, organised the Mahila Matasyajibi Sammelan 3.0 (Women Fishers’ Meet) to commemorate World Fisheries Day at Kultali, Sundarbans, in collaboration with the Kultali Milan Tirth Society. The event celebrated the crucial role of women fishers in inland fisheries and highlighted their contributions to strengthening livelihoods in the climate-vulnerable Sundarbans.

The programme was inaugurated by Dr. Joy Krushna Jena, Deputy Director General (Fisheries Science), ICAR, and Dr. Rajbir Singh, Deputy Director General (Agriculture Extension), ICAR who attended as Chief Guest and Distinguished Guest respectively.

Appreciating the enthusiastic participation, Dr. Jena stated, “The dedication of our women fishers shows how deeply fish and fisheries are woven into the livelihood fabric of the Sundarbans. ICAR is committed to ensuring that scientific advancements in fish and fisheries reach every community, enabling resilient and sustainable growth”. He reaffirmed that ICAR institutes and KVKs in the region would extend full support for technology dissemination.

Dr. Rajbir Singh, DDG (Agriculture Extension) said, “Women are being supported in fish farming, fishing, processing and marketing. The blue economy is creating new, sustainable opportunities for women in the fisheries sector of the Sundarbans”.

Welcoming the dignitaries, Dr. B. K. Das, Director, ICAR-CIFRI, highlighted the institute’s decade-long interventions in backyard pond culture, canal fisheries, and ornamental fish production across Gosaba, Hingalgunj, Namkhana, Kakdwip, and Kultali. He asserted, “Our focus is on empowering fish farmers, including women fishers, through science that is accessible, adaptable, and rooted in the realities of the Sundarbans”. These initiatives, he noted, have significantly enhanced household incomes while creating sustainable alternative livelihoods.

During the programme, ICAR-CIFRI distributed fish fingerlings and ICAR-CIFRI CageGrow feed to 600 SC and ST women fish-farmers with backyard ponds of 0.02–0.04 ha. Beneficiaries were selected from 38 hamlets under 17 Gram Panchayats across Gosaba and Basanti blocks. Scientists from ICAR-CIFRI conducted field visits to each pond, offering customised technical guidance to improve fish productivity and boost income.

The Sundarbans, which are frequently affected by cyclones and tidal surges, relies heavily on fisheries for livelihood security. Since 2013, ICAR-CIFRI has motivated more than 5,500 fishers to adopt small-scale inland fisheries and ornamental fish farming under SCSP/TSP programmes, contributing to enhanced resilience in the delta.

The event drew over 4,500 participants, including officials, ICAR scientists, scholars and community leaders. Distinguished guests such as Dr. Pradeep Dey, Director, ATARI and Mr. Ajoy Kumar Sinha, SBI, Baruipur pledged continued institutional support.

The Sammelan marked a significant milestone in supporting women’s empowerment, sustainable aquaculture, and community resilience in the fragile Sundarbans ecosystem. Through Mahila Matsyajibi Sammelan 3.0, women fishers are empowered to become active stakeholders in the fisheries sector. thereby supporting the broader vision of Self-Sustained India @2047 for inclusive growth.

Team Maverick