Kolkata, June 8, 2025

 

In a significant step towards sustainable agriculture and rural empowerment, the ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CIFRI), in collaboration with the Sagar-Krishnanagar Swami Vivekananda Youth Cultural Society and Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Nimpith, organised a series of impactful initiatives under the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan (VKSA-2025) in Sagar Island, West Bengal, on Saturday  (June 7, 2025).

Covering 23 villages, four major interactive programmes were conducted at Rudranagar, Krishnanagar, Kamalpur, and Govindapur, witnessing enthusiastic participation of over 3000 farmers and fishers. As a part of the national VKSA mission, the outreach aimed to promote scientific awareness and strengthen climate-resilient, sustainable rural practices in one of India’s most ecologically sensitive regions.

The campaign was led by Dr. J.K. Jena, Deputy Director General (Fisheries Science), ICAR, and Dr. B.K. Das, Director, ICAR-CIFRI, along with senior scientists from the institute. The team undertook extensive field visits and engaged in direct dialogues with farmers and fishers, addressing key issues including productivity enhancement, disease control, water quality, feed optimisation and climate change adaptation.

A special focus was put on climate-resilient aquaculture tailored to the unique challenges of the Sundarbans delta. Experts shared adaptive strategies for inland fisheries, seasonal farming practices, and integrated resource management designed to enhance the resilience of coastal communities against climate-induced stress.

“We are here not just to share knowledge, but to listen and learn from the fishers. Their insights are vital to shaping practical, community-based innovations,” said Dr. Jena, emphasizing the participatory nature of the campaign.

The sessions provided a platform for fishers to voice their concerns, contribute local knowledge, and engage with scientific experts, fostering trust and collaborative problem-solving. The initiative was further strengthened by the presence of Shri Bankim Chandra Hazra, Hon’ble Minister-in-Charge, Sundarbans Affairs, Government of West Bengal, whose participation reiterated the state’s commitment to sustainable development in vulnerable coastal zones.

As part of the awareness drive, farmers received information pamphlets on scientific fisheries management, leaflets on the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), and pre-kharif advisories, equipping them with tools to enhance productivity while maintaining ecological balance.

The programme concluded with a collective pledge by all participants to adopt climate-resilient and sustainable practices in agriculture and aquaculture, symbolising a shared commitment to ecological stewardship and long-term livelihood security.

This initiative, along with earlier VKSA outreach activities in Kultoli and Joygopalpur (Basanti), underscores ICAR-CIFRI’s multi-tiered strategy to foster self-reliant, climate-aware farming communities by integrating scientific expertise with grassroots engagement.

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SSS/RS/08.06.2025

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