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Empowering tribal women of Purulia through community-based aquaculture: ICAR-CIFRI’s efforts towards livelihood and nutritional security

25^th October, 2025
Purulia, West Bengal
Purulia district, located on the Chotanagpur plateau in western West Bengal, has a significant tribal population, comprising 18.45% of its total inhabitants. Despite its rich culture, the district faces persistent socio-economic challenges. Tribal women remain among the most disadvantaged, facing poverty, limited access to education and healthcare, and entrenched gender barriers. Addressing these issues aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5)-achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls.

To tackle these problems, the ICAR–CIFRI, Barrackpore has started a program to help tribal women by promoting community-based inland aquaculture in the drought-affected areas of Manbazar, Puncha, and Hura. The program aims to utilise locally available rainfed waterbodies (bands) for community-managed aquaculture, promoting livelihoods and nutritional security.
The initiative has brought fish culture to 16 community-managed bandhs spanning over 140 acres. The initiative directly benefits around 481 tribal women, organised into 48 Self-Help Groups (SHGs). To support their operations, 1,620 kg of quality fish seed and 22 tonnes of CIFRI CageGrow feed were distributed on October 25, 2025. Prior to distribution, beneficiaries underwent capacity-building training in scientific fish farming, pond management, and resource utilisation. To diversify income sources, 30 trained women beneficiaries also received FRP tanks with ornamental fish kits, following training in ornamental fish culture at ICAR-CIFRI.

A community awareness program was organised at Govindapur Primary School, attended by Ms. Sandhyarani Tudu, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge), Paschimanchal Unnayan Affairs, and the Parliamentary Affairs Department, Government of West Bengal, along with senior district officials and ICAR-CIFRI scientists. During the event, it was decided that 50% of the fish produced by SHGs would be supplied to the Mid-Day Meal Program of Govindapur Primary School, thereby enhancing the children’s nutritional intake.
Dr. B. K. Das, Director of ICAR–CIFRI, emphasised that empowering women through aquaculture not only enhances income but also fosters sustainable resource management. “This initiative will pave the way for a more resilient, self-reliant, and nutritionally secure tribal society,” he stated. The overall programme was supervised by Dr. B. K. Das and coordinated by Dr. Aparna Roy and Dr. Dibakar Bhakta, scientists of the institute with significant support from Shri Sujit Chowdhury, Shri Manabendra Roy, Dr. Avishek Saha and Dr. Shreya Bhattacharya.

This initiative stands as a model of inclusive rural development, integrating gender empowerment, livelihood enhancement, and nutritional security through science-led aquaculture interventions.