Navsari Gujarat Research Centre (NGRC) of ICAR-CIBA conducted an interaction meeting with tribal families on “Aquaculture and allied activities for livelihood development of tribal communities” at Singod village in Navsari, Gujarat, on 19th April, 2022. The tribal village has been adopted by NGRC of CIBA for demonstration of pond-based cage culture and allied activities under the scheduled tribe component. Dr. K.P. Jithendran, Director, ICAR-CIBA inaugurated the meeting and interacted with the members of the Singod-Halpati Samaj Matsya Udhyog Juth (Tribal SHG). In his address, Dr. Jithendran explained the benefits of integrated fish cum crop farming models that yield continuous revenue and livelihood to the farmers and congratulated the members of the SHG for their earnest efforts in reaping the benefits of aquaculture.
The director handed over a cheque for Rs. 7.83 lakhs, the revenue generated by the SHG through sale of fish and other farm produce to Shri. Kaushik Halpati, President, Singod-Halpati Samaj Matsya Udhyog Juth. CIBA technology booklets in Gujarati and English languages on region specific brackishwater farming and livelihood technologies were also released by the Director during the occasion. Members of the tribal SHG thanked ICAR-CIBA for supply of inputs and technical support rendered to the community during the interaction meet.
Dr. P. Mahalakshmi, Nodal Officer, STC and Principal Scientist, ICAR-CIBA highlighted the various livelihood activities undertaken by the institute in the coastal states. The tribal SHG at Singod consists of 40 members trained by ICAR-CIBA on various livelihood activities. NGRC has been supporting the tribal SHG through supply of inputs like net cages, cage frames, fish seed, feed, vegetable and fruit tree saplings, goat, broiler chicks etc., apart from providing technical know-how on cage-based fish farming in the village community pond.
Shri. Pankaj Patil, OIC and Scientist, NGRC, ICAR-CIBA, briefed on technological backstopping provided by the institute for various livelihood activities and the process involved on successful conversion of the community pond into a sustainable livelihood model for the benefit of the tribal community. The meeting was coordinated by Shri. Pankaj Amrut Patil, Scientist, FCD & OIC, NGRC, Shri. Jose Antony and Shri. Tanveer Hussain, Scientists of the NGRC-CIBA.
