Canals are second most important (26%) source of irrigation covering 17.0 million ha in India.
Canals are two types – seasonally inundated canals and perennial canals. These canals can
support fish production at various levels. The natural canal systems in Sundarban cover 907.33
ha area that may support livelihood to many however not utilized to its fullest potential. ICAR-
CIFRI conducted a four days (12thjune - 15thjune, 2018) training at Barrackpore, Kolkata on “Canal FisheriesDevelopment” for 24 members from fishermen community including seven women, from
Kalitala, Hingalganj Block of Sundarbans, West Bengal under Tribal Sub plan (TSP). The
training programme was inaugurated by Dr. B. K. Das, Director ICAR-CIFRI. On his remark he
advised the fishermen to increase the fish production from these canals and to improve their
livelihoods. Director, ICAR-CIFRI ensured the fishermen that ICAR-CIFRI will be always
available for them for the technical service. A structured training schedule was prepared for the
Tribal farmers after assessing their need. Training was imparted on various aspect of canal
fisheries viz. fish production enhancement in canals, natural fish food organism, scope of
integrated fish farming, fish feed preparation and feeding strategy, record keeping, fish disease
management and best management practices, soil and water quality management etc. Hand on
sessions were organized for fish feed preparation and water quality analysis. A field exposure
visit was conducted to fish seed market, East Kolkata wetland and ICAR-CIFE, Kolkata Centre.
A training manual on “Canal Fisheries Development” was prepared in the local language
“Bengali” and distributed to the trainees for their further reference. In the valedictory function
the Dr. V. R. Suresh, HoD, Riverine Division; Dr. B. P. Mohanty, HoD, FREM Division; Dr. U.
K. Sarkar, HoD, RWF division and Dr. A. K. Das, In-charge training cell advised the fishers to
utilize the knowledge gained in training programme to improve the fish production and their
livelihoods. The training was coordinated by ‘Team TSP’ of ICAR-CIFRI that includes Dr. P. K.
Parida, Dr. Aparna Roy, Dr. Lianthumluaia, Dr. Sanjay Bhowmick, Mr. C. N. Mukherjee and
Mr. S. Mandal.
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