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ICAR-CIFRI provided technology support to riparian community of Umiam reservoir, Meghalaya

13^th March, 2026
Umsning, Umiam, Meghalaya.

The ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CIFRI) has extended technological support to the riparian communities of the Umiam Reservoir in Meghalaya, enhancing their capacity for sustainable fisheries and livelihood development. To further this goal, ICAR-CIFRI Regional Centre, Guwahati, in collaboration with the Ri-Bhoi Farmers’ Union (RFU) and the Department of Fisheries, Government of Meghalaya, organized a Field Day-cum-Input Distribution Programme under the Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) of the Institute at Umsning, Umiam on March 13, 2026. During the programme, “CIFRI CAGEGROW”, a floating fish feed developed by ICAR-CIFRI for inland fisheries, was introduced as a critical input for fish culture practices, including cage culture in the reservoir. This initiative is expected to benefit local fishers and farmers by improving fish production and supporting sustainable livelihoods. The programme was organized under the overall guidance of the Director, ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore; the Director of Fisheries, Govt. of Meghalaya; Dr. S. K. Majhi, Head, ICAR-CIFRI RC, Guwahati. It was coordinated by Dr. Pronob Das, Dr. S. C. S. Das, Senior Scientists and Mr. A. Kakati, Technical Officer. The event was conducted in the presence of Shri D. Majaw, President; Shri Brintstar Nongneng, Assistant General Secretary; and Shri Alexander Ronghang, Executive Member of the R-Bhoi Farmers’ Union (RFU), Meghalaya. Shri Arbester Kharthangmaw, President, Kishan Morsa, Umsning, Meghalaya, also graced the occasion. The programme witnessed active participation from around 70 attendees, including fish farmers, fishers, officials, scientists, and media representatives.

Shri Brintstar Nongneng welcomed the participants and dignitaries and explained the purpose of the day-long programme. Shri D. Majaw briefed about the history of collaborative work since 2019 between ICAR-CIFRI and RFU, Meghalaya for betterment of tribal fish farmers/ fishers. In his address, he glorifies the success of collaborative work between the two organizations with emphasis on successful cage culture trial in the Umiam reservoir. He also stated that technological support and CIFRI CAGEGROW feed input support previously provided by ICAR-CIFRI benefiting the farmers to get higher fish productions over the traditional methods. He thanked ICAR-CIFRI for their continuous support for development of fisheries in hilly region. Dr. Pronob Das discussed about the different products and technologies developed by the Institute for benefits of farmers of the mid-altitude region. He thanked the RFU families for being a part of successful cage culture trial in the reservoir to develop the “Cage culture technology for mid-altitude reservoir of Meghalaya”. The technology is now being adopted in other mid-altitude reservoirs of Northeast region. Dr. S.C.S Das briefly explained about hill fish farming techniques for enhanced fish production for the benefit of local fish famers of the region.

He also briefed about scientific merits and usage of CIFRI CAGEGROW floating feed for enhancing rural economy. Shri A. Kakati explained about relevance of fish feed, feeding and health for scientific fish production. On behalf of the community, Ms. Banri L. Nongbri, requested ICAR-CIFRI for continuing to provide input support (fish feed, seed, boat, life jacket for reservoir fishers, etc.) and technical guidance for the benefits of fish farmers. She also highlighted the participation of fisherwomen in cage culture trial in Umiam reservoir by ICAR-CIFRI. Shri Arbester Kharthangmaw, urged ICAR-CIFRI for continuing their support for increasing livelihood and income of fishers. He also urged for training and exposure visit of the farmers to ICAR-CIFRI at Guwahati office and Kolkata in near future. Dr. P. Das, Dr. S. C. S. Das and Shri A. Kakati also interacted with the farmers on different aspects of scientific fish farming.

On the occasion, a total of 5,000 kg of CIFRI CAGEGROW was distributed benefiting 50 tribal fisher families. The programme ended with formal vote of thanks proposed by Shri Alexander Ronghang.