Extension approach for an effective fisheries extension services by government and non-government organizations in Jharkhand
Author(s): Smita Shweta
Abstract: The fishery sector is increasingly recognised as income generation enterprises. Present Jharkhand fish production was reported 257 MT at 2022 which increases from previous year number 238 MT for 2021. A cross sectional study was conducted on the extension approach of extension functionaries and fish farmers. The District Fisheries Officers, Fisheries Extension Officers, Fisheries Supervisors and Matsya Mitras (Para extension workers) were kept in 1st category including representatives of selected Government and Non-Government agencies. The second category of respondents was 5 fish farmers from each selected village. The cross-sectional study of selected two districts consists of 4 blocks and 16 villages. Altogether, there were 74 extension functionaries and 80 fish farmer respondents. Thus, the total sample size was 154 respondents. 19 Matsya Mitras belongs to selected areas in two blocks of Saraikela while the remaining 13 from two blocks of Ranchi district respectively. Matsya Mitras are cadres who establish linkages between farmers, NGOs and Department of Fisheries. Due to Matsya Mitra’s intervention, total 80 new potential women groups were motivated to get engaged in the selected areas of both districts to take up the fisheries activities in community ponds or on shared basis in individual ponds which were kept unused for long and long years. Role of non-government agency (Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society, JSLPS) with support of Department of Fisheries found to be very effective in imparting trainings and motivating the women group to get involve in male dominated activities for sustainable livelihood. Input supports such as fingerlings (@ 6000/ acre), feeds, water testing equipment’s, Matsya Mitras Kits along with capacity building of pond management aspects were provided to women folk during 2018-19 in Saraikela and Ranchi district respectively. In one-year ie 2020, the popularity of fish farming increases among women Producer Groups which helped them to get actively involved in fish production irrespective to various constraints came acrossed. 2% horizontal area expansion has been observed. The poor and resource poor families were linked with government schemes after getting imparted with 3- and 5-days residential training programmes at Shalimar, Ranchi. This ongoing extension approach by non-government agencies with support of Department of Fisheries and Matsya Mitras helped to trap the derelict water areas, increase nutritional security, employment generation, gender mainstreaming in fish farming for sustainable aquaculture livelihood.
