ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore Empowers SC Fishers with Modern Open-Water Fisheries Technologies

17 August 2026, Prayagraj

The Regional Centre of the ICAR–Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Prayagraj, has launched a three-day capacity-building programme on “Modern Technologies in Open Water Inland Fisheries” at Haraipur, Kaushambi, Uttar Pradesh, under the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan (SCSP). The programme aims to empower Scheduled Caste fishers and farmers through science-based fisheries technologies, enhancing productivity, livelihoods, technical capacity, and sustainable management of inland fisheries resources. It seeks to bridge the gap between scientific innovations and field practices while promoting resilient livelihoods and inclusive, sustainable fisheries development.

The programme is benefiting 20 participants from Kaushambi district, equipping them with practical knowledge and modern approaches to harness the potential of open-water fisheries. The initiative reflects ICAR-CIFRI’s commitment to technology-led livelihood enhancement, inclusive fisheries development and greater economic opportunities for socially disadvantaged communities.

The programme seeks to bridge the gap between scientific fisheries research and grassroots adoption, equipping rural fishers with practical knowledge on modern production technologies, resource management and fisheries entrepreneurship.

A major highlight of the inaugural session was the release of Training manual in Hindi, including a comprehensive manual on “Modern Technologies in Open Water Inland Fisheries” and a leaflet on “Pen Fish Culture Technology.” The vernacular publications are designed to facilitate wider understanding and adoption of scientific practices related to fish stocking, water quality, fish health and sustainable fisheries management.

The training combines technical lectures with hands-on practical sessions covering commercially important freshwater fishes, cage and pen culture, composite fish culture and ornamental fish culture. Particular emphasis is being given to enclosure-based production systems suitable for reservoirs, wetlands and other open-water resources, offering participants viable avenues for increasing fish productivity and household income.

In his message, Dr Pradip Dey, Director, ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore, emphasized that scientific knowledge and appropriate technologies have the potential to transform fisheries-based livelihoods. He reiterated ICAR-CIFRI’s commitment to “reaching the unreached and serving the unserved” by empowering underserved communities through capacity building, effective dissemination of technologies, and enhanced access to modern fisheries practices, thereby promoting sustainable livelihoods, inclusive growth, and greater resilience in the fisheries sector.

The programme also addresses critical aspects of water quality management, scientific feed management and fish health, and enabling participants to improve productivity while maintaining sustainable and efficient fisheries operations. In addition, participants are being sensitized to Central and State Government schemes, particularly the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), with guidance on project formulation, business proposal preparation, institutional credit and establishment of small-scale fisheries enterprises.

The programme was inaugurated in the presence of Vijay Pal, Deputy Director, Department of Fisheries, Government of Uttar Pradesh, who highlighted the importance of technological awareness in enabling fishers to effectively utilize government schemes, subsidies and institutional support.

Dr. B. R. Chavan, Head, ICAR-CIFRI Regional Centre, Prayagraj, underlined the critical role of technical capacity building in improving livelihood opportunities among underserved communities. He emphasized the Centre’s continued efforts under the SC Sub-Plan to take modern fisheries technologies to the field and facilitate access to government support mechanisms for inclusive fisheries development.

During the inaugural programme, Ramprakash, a progressive farmer, shared his experiences and journey in the fisheries sector, motivating participants to adopt scientific practices and improved technologies for enhanced productivity and income.

The initiative marks an important step towards technology-led, inclusive and sustainable fisheries development, with the potential to transform open-water fishery resources into stronger livelihood opportunities for socially and economically underserved communities. Through such targeted capacity-building interventions, ICAR-CIFRI continues to strengthen the bridge between fisheries science, government support and rural entrepreneurship.

(Source: ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore)