September 2026:Barrackporem, Ornamental fisheries are emerging as a promising avenue for rural entrepreneurship, livelihood diversification and employment generation, with ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CIFRI), Barrackpore, taking steps to equip farmers with scientific knowledge, practical skills and market-oriented approaches. In this direction, the Institute organized a five-day training programme on “Opportunities in Ornamental Fisheries Management for Income Generation” for 18 farmers from Haridwar, Uttarakhand, during September 3–7, 2026.
Inaugurating the programme, Dr. Pradip Dey, Director, ICAR-CIFRI, emphasized that ornamental fisheries should be developed as a knowledge- and skill-intensive enterprise encompassing fish breeding, seed production, aquarium management, fabrication, health management, marketing, trade and value addition. He highlighted its potential to generate diversified livelihood opportunities for farmers and rural youth and contribute to the national vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
“The transformation of rural livelihoods requires a shift towards knowledge-based, technology-enabled and market-linked enterprises. Ornamental fisheries can provide an important pathway by creating opportunities across production, breeding, aquarium services and marketing,” said Dr. Dey.
The training followed an end-to-end enterprise development approach, covering freshwater ornamental fish breeding and seed production, aquarium fabrication and management, water quality, fish health, live-feed culture, feed preparation and enterprise planning. Participants were also sensitized to government schemes and institutional support for establishing ornamental fisheries enterprises.
A key component of the programme was the exposure visit to Galiff Street and Das Nagar ornamental fish markets, providing participants with direct exposure to the commercial ecosystem of ornamental fisheries.Interactions with traders, growers and farmers enabled the participants to understand market demand, species preferences, consumer behaviour, trading practices, pricing and value-chain dynamics. Such market-oriented exposure is critical for developing enterprises based on demand-driven production rather than production-led marketing.
The initiative thus seeks to bridge the gap between scientific research, skill development and market opportunities, enabling farmers to make informed decisions on enterprise selection and investment.
The programme also highlighted the policy support available under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). During 2020–21 to 2024–25, 2,465 ornamental fish rearing units, 207 integrated breeding and rearing units, five freshwater ornamental fish brood banks and 144 recreational fisheries units were approved at a total cost of ₹230.45 crore.
Dr. Dey stressed that research institutions have a catalytic role in converting scientific technologies into scalable livelihood solutions by linking farmers with technology, markets and institutional support. Dr. Gunjan Karnatak and Dr. Mitesh Ramteke, Scientists, ICAR-CIFRI, coordinated the programme and facilitated the technical sessions, practical demonstrations and market exposure activities.
The initiative reinforces ICAR-CIFRI’s commitment to promoting science-based, sustainable and market-oriented fisheries enterprises for rural prosperity and inclusive economic growth.
