Matya Mitra Programme of Jharkhand

For improving the fish productivity, the Jharkhand state government has launched a novel initiative called Matsya Mitra Programme.  Under this, the state fisheries department is creating a cadre of voluntary Matsya Mitras {friends of fish} by giving them training to rear fish, which will provide employment and income. Government has trained around 4660 Matya Mitras so far. The government encourages fish farming in ponds additional to reservoirs. This initiative has managed to double the state’s fish production since the mid 2000.

Significance

The significance of this initiative is that it makes protection of water bodies necessary in order to make fish production possible. It instils economic interest among people to protect the water bodies. The fisheries department has physically surveyed and converted many ponds, tanks and watershed structures which were filled with mud and garbage into production centres.

Analysis

Such a government initiative provides employment; promotes water and food security; helps in mitigation of floods and droughts due to network of rejuvenated ponds, tanks and watershed structures.  This Amul-type fisheries model which involves small producers in a large-scale economic activity requires careful planning and skill training along with marketing support. In this way it will help to secure livelihoods of poor people apart from becoming an important model in the development laboratory of India. An initiative of this type has to be encouraged throughout the country and models like this is what is necessary to adapt to climate change in a weather-uncertain future.