September 2026, Meghalaya : In a significant step towards strengthening women-led fisheries livelihoods and sustainable aquaculture in Northeast India, the ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CIFRI) organized a Fish Seed Stocking Programme at Umiam Reservoir, Meghalaya, during September 6–7, 2026. The initiative focused on promoting scientific cage culture technology and enhancing livelihood opportunities for tribal fishing communities, particularly women fishers.
Tribal Women Fishers Benefited
The programme was organized by the ICAR-CIFRI Regional Centre, Guwahati, in collaboration with the Ri-Bhoi Farmers’ Union (RFU), Meghalaya, and the Department of Fisheries, Government of Meghalaya, under the NEH and TSP programmes of ICAR-CIFRI. Conducted under the guidance of Dr. Pradip Dey, Director, ICAR-CIFRI, it benefited 25 tribal women fisher families engaged in cage culture at Umiam Reservoir. As part of the intervention, 12,000 fish fingerlings were stocked in six cages. The stocking is expected to enhance fish production and provide improved income-generating opportunities for the participating families.
Science Meets Community for Sustainable Fisheries
The initiative represents ICAR-CIFRI’s continued efforts to develop, demonstrate and refine scientifically validated cage culture technologies suited to the ecological conditions of the mid-altitude reservoirs of Northeast India. By combining scientific knowledge with community participation, the programme seeks to improve fish growth and survival, production efficiency, income generation and livelihood security among local fishing communities. The intervention also demonstrates the potential of reservoir fisheries as a sustainable source of employment and rural economic development.
Technology-Driven Approach to Empower Tribal Communities
Reflecting on the occasion, Dr. Dey, emphasized empowering women and tribal communities as entrepreneurs, technology adopters and decision-makers in sustainable fisheries. He highlighted scientific cage culture as a means to transform tribal women into leaders of fisheries-based enterprises, strengthening livelihoods, incomes and community resilience. Dr. Dey reaffirmed ICAR-CIFRI’s commitment to promoting gender-responsive, technology-driven and community-led fisheries models across the Northeast, in alignment with the objectives of Blue Revolution 2.0.
Scientific Guidance Strengthens Cage Culture Practices
ICAR-CIFRI scientists provided hands-on guidance to the participating women fishers on improved cage culture practices. Dr. Pronob Das highlighted the scientific refinement of cage culture protocols for the mid-altitude reservoirs of Meghalaya and briefed the beneficiaries on improved production practices. Dr. Shyamal C. S. Das emphasized the importance of scientific feeding and fish health management, while Mr. Amulya Kakati stressed the need for systematic monitoring, timely interventions and precautionary measures to improve fish growth, survival and overall production.
Ri-Bhoi Farmers’ Union Appreciates ICAR-CIFRI’s Support
Shri D. Majaw, President, Ri-Bhoi Farmers’ Union (RFU), Meghalaya, along with executive members of the Union, attended the programme. He highlighted the collaboration between ICAR-CIFRI and RFU towards the socio-economic development of tribal fish farmers and fishers. He appreciated the successful cage culture trials at Umiam Reservoir and acknowledged the scientific guidance, technical support and capacity-building efforts provided by ICAR-CIFRI to local fishing communities.
Women Fishers Express Confidence in Improved Livelihoods
Representing the beneficiary group, Ms. Banri L. Nongbri expressed gratitude to ICAR-CIFRI for providing fish seed and technical guidance. She expressed confidence that the intervention would contribute to enhancing household income and strengthening the economic security of tribal women fisher families associated with cage culture at Umiam Reservoir.
A Model for Women-Led Sustainable Fisheries in Northeast India
The Fish Seed Stocking Programme marks an important milestone in advancing women-led fisheries-based livelihoods and sustainable cage aquaculture in the mid-altitude reservoirs of Northeast India. The initiative demonstrates how scientific technology, institutional support and community participation can converge to transform reservoir fisheries into a stronger livelihood platform for tribal communities. Through continued technological refinement, capacity building and field-level support, ICAR-CIFRI aims to facilitate the wider adoption of sustainable and economically viable cage culture technologies across the Northeast.
The initiative reinforces ICAR-CIFRI’s commitment to taking science from the laboratory to the community and empowering tribal women to become active drivers of sustainable fisheries development.
