Aquaculture Based Interventions for Livelihood and Empowerment of Women in Konkan Region of Maharashtra

Abstract

A study was carried out to assess the possibility of carp culture in village ponds for livelihood and empowerment of women fish farmers and women SHG’s. Awareness programmes followed by training programmes on carp culture in open water bodies were conducted. A village pond of 1.5 ha area of Posheri, Palghar District and 0.8 ha area of Malgund, Ratnagiri District of Maharashtra state were selected for demonstration. The fertilisers were applied in Posheri pond to boost plankton production. A total of 10000 carp fingerlings (40-60 mm) were stocked and were fed commercial floating feed. The catla grown to a size of 1.0 to 1.2 kg whereas weight of rohu and mrigal ranged between 0.5 and 0.7 kg at the time of harvest. A fish yield of 1200 kg was obtained with a productivity of 800 kg/ha. The fishes were sold at the rate of Rs. 200/- per kg and a revenue of Rs. 2,40,000/- was realised. In Malgund pond, 2000 carp fingerlings were stocked in September, 2019. Carps were fed commercial feed and grown for a period of eight months. At the time harvest, catla reached a size of 1.2 to 1.5 kg and rohu weighed from 0.3 to 0.5 kg. A total yield of 250 kg was sold at average price of Rs. 120/- per kg in fish market of Ratnagiri and revenue of Rs. 30,000/- was generated. Thus, carp culture activity demonstrated at both places indicated a possibility for augmenting socio-economic status of women through provision of livelihoods.