Nabarangpur, a district in southern Odisha, once reliant on Andhra Pradesh for its fish supply, has undergone a remarkable transformation into a bustling centre of pisciculture, thanks to the initiatives of the Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA). This success story reflects the collaborative efforts of top scientific laboratories affiliated with the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) in addressing the socio-economic challenges of Nabarangpur, one of the country’s poorest districts.
The concerted intervention by CIFA and other scientific institutes has led to the establishment of a comprehensive pisciculture value chain in Nabarangpur. The district, primarily known for vegetable cultivation, witnessed a surge in pisciculture activities, facilitated by water bodies created under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and watershed programs.
Nagesh Barik, Principal Scientist at CIFA, highlighted the changes initiated by the institute since 2018, stating that before then, the local fish market was nearly non-existent, with fish primarily sourced from Andhra Pradesh. The systematic intervention by CIFA resulted in the development of six aquaculture clusters, the establishment of high-quality broodstock for seed production, carp hatcheries, seed rearing ponds, feed mills, and fish harvesting groups.
Dr. Barik noted that CIFA provided high-quality germplasm for pisciculture development, leading to the adoption of scientific aquaculture by around 1,000 farmers in Nabarangpur. The district’s own pisciculture market has grown to an estimated value of ₹250 crore, a significant achievement considering its previous non-existence. The demand for fish, particularly from the fish-loving Bengali community, contributes to the thriving market.
Nabarangpur’s success in pisciculture is particularly noteworthy given its status as an ‘aspirational district’ with low per capita income and significant tribal and Scheduled Caste populations. The collaborative efforts of scientific laboratories have not only created employment opportunities but also fostered a sustainable business ecosystem in the district.
Source: The Hindu
