This document discusses the potential for inland fish cultivation in India to strengthen livelihoods. It notes the high domestic demand for freshwater fish due to increasing incomes and population. While production clusters exist, overall supply lags behind demand. Inland fishermen are among the poorest families but often lack control over local water bodies. Policies aim to facilitate access but social dynamics impact control. The document outlines challenges like the lack of community institutions and facilitating organizations to support extensive fish farming. It argues inland fish production can increase through community involvement, representing a unique livelihood sector associated with backward castes and poor families that requires pro-poor interventions.

1. Livelihoods
&
Inland Fish Cultivation in India
Jitesh Panda
Vrutti Livelihoods Resource Centre
1st Dec 08

2. Demand Stream…..
High domestic demand for fresh water fish – mainly
Indian Major Carps
Increase in per capita consumption of fish due to
– Increase in purchasing power
– Increase in Non Vegetarian Population
– Low cost of fish – compared to meat and chicken
However,
compared to International level,
per capita fish consumption is low in India

3. Supply Stream…
Key production Clusters linked to Scientific Farming
– Coastal AP;
– Punjab, Hariyana, Rajasthan;
– WB
Mainly production in local water bodies meant for
– Irrigation
– Multipurpose Use
Overall
Gap in supply of Fish;
Rising demand for local fresh water fish

4. Livelihood perspective….
Inland fishermen are
– One of the poorest families in villages
– Traditionally associated with catching fish
– Usually, landless
– Other poor families are keen on fish cultivation
However,
despite pro fishermen leasing policies,
Local Water bodies continues to be under control of elites

5. Potential to strengthen Livelihoods….
Generally, favorable leasing policies across States
Existence of Local Demand for Fish
Inland fish production in India, can only increase
through Extensive Fish Farming in Water bodies
meant for Irrigation & multi purpose use
High return on investment
But
Weak Extension Network of Govt. &
Unavailability of Private Facilitating Agencies - CSOs

6. Policies….
Facilitates Access but not necessarily Control over
resource (depends on social dynamics)
Emphasizes Scientific Farming - but difficult to
practice in water bodies - Not meant for Fisheries
Other Schemes – related to Wage For Work &
Irrigation do not take into accounts needs of fish
cultivation

7. Institutions…..
In GP owned water bodies - Women SHGs associated as group
enterprise activity
In Irrigation Deptt. owned water bodies – Usually, Fisheries
Deptt organize Coop (mainly not functional)
Overall absence of Community based Institutions related to
Inland Fish Farming
Few facilitating organizations – related to Inland Fish Farming

8. Missing Links….
Unavailability of
– Community Based Institutions
– Livelihoods Facilitating Institutions
– Best practices related to Extensive Fish Farming
in Inland Water
Potential to revive/strengthen
Occupation of Inland Fishing Communities
by
Involving them in Fish Production

9. Unique Livelihood Sector….
From Commodity point of view
– Demand exists
– Low Investment
– Profitable
From Poverty perspective
– Associated with Backward Caste
– Associated with Poor Families
– Village based Livelihood Options
– Part time & add on Livelihood Option
– Can be taken up in group mode
– Do not require high skill
Most State Govts. already have pro poor policies

10. In absence of Pro Poor Fisheries Interventions
there is
Increasing dependence on Agriculture
(share cropping & wage earning)
&
Increasing trend in Migration

11. Challenges remain to facilitate….
Common Property based Livelihood
Natural Resource based Livelihood
Breaking the social power dynamics in rural areas
Simplifying/standardizing scientific practices for extensive
systems
Productivity/production while ensuring pro poor access/control
to resources

12. Thank you