India Region

Mrs. Dipali Mahato, a Successful Ornamental Fish Farmer From Jamshedpur

12 April 2024, New Delhi: Mrs. Dipali Mahato, a tribal from Golmuri, Jamshedpur, participated in a skill training programme in 2018 at the Department of Fisheries Training Centre, Jharkhand. She gained knowledge in ornamental fisheries and started her first venture. Mrs. Mahato faced numerous challenges in terms of input and skills during and after the Covid-19 pandemic.

In 2022, ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore supported her and 29 other beneficiaries under the Tribal Sub-plan, in consultation with the Department of Fisheries, Jharkhand.  The institute provided selected beneficiaries with an FRP ornamental tank, ornamental fish seed, fish feed, an aerator, medicine, and other accessories. ICAR-CIFRI conducted an onsite demonstration and skill training for the beneficiaries, followed by a 5-day training-cum-visit programme for the tribal/scheduled caste beneficiaries from 22nd-24th December 2022.

Mrs. Dipali Mahato underwent a training programme that significantly enhanced her knowledge, skills, and attitude towards ornamental fish farming. She visited ornamental fish villages in Howrah, West Bengal, gaining hands-on knowledge in aquarium fabrication, handling, and breeding of livebearers and egg layers like guppy, molly, platy, and swordtail. Smt. Mahato learnt about fish feed requirements, feeding time, common diseases, treatment, and management practices in aquariums, including both natural and artificial methods. Motivated by ICAR-CIFRI’s training programme, she established connections with Jharkhand’s State Fisheries Department and DOF, receiving a 3 lakh rupee grant to construct a backyard ornamental fish farm under the PMMSY scheme.

Currently, she owns a 450 sq. ft. ornamental fish farm with 80 tanks and 50 aquariums, earning 1.5 lakh/annum with a total investment of 60-70 thousand/annum, thereby gaining economic empowerment.

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