The Chamarajanagar Zilla Panchayat has selected 26 women self-help groups (SHGs) for training in fish farming, opening up a new avenue for income generation and sustainable livelihoods in the district.

The initiative is being implemented under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, through the Matsya Sanjeevini programme, with support from the Zilla Panchayat and the Department of Fisheries.

Training, fingerlings and market support

Under the programme, women SHG members are being provided with training, technical guidance, free fish fingerlings and market linkages. The support is aimed at enabling women to independently manage fish farming activities and earn steady income.

Many of the selected SHGs have earlier found success through the sale of homemade food products, handicrafts and cottage industry items. Fish farming has now been added as an additional livelihood option.

26 lakes identified across taluks

The Zilla Panchayat has identified 26 lakes under the limits of various gram panchayats in the district, which will be exclusively managed by women SHGs.

Taluk-wise, 10 lakes have been identified in Gundlupet, six in Chamarajanagar, four in Kollegal, and three each in Hanur and Yelandur. These lakes include Ayyanakatte in Hebsur, Kalashettykere in Honganur, Hongalli Lake in Baragi, Berambadi, Mangala Mahadeshwara Lake, Srikantapura, Hosakere, Rangapura, Kannegala, Singanallur, Timmarajipura and several others.

Role of women SHG members

The Department of Fisheries has released fingerlings free of cost to these lakes. SHG members are responsible for rearing the fish, providing feed, and safeguarding the lakes from theft and other threats.

The fish can be harvested after eight to ten months. The women can sell the produce directly in local markets or through Karnataka Fisheries Development Board outlets, with profits shared among group members.

Officials highlight empowerment goal

Chamarajanagar Deputy Director of Fisheries Manjeshwar said 100 women out of the selected 160 members have already been trained and around 2 lakh fingerlings have been released this season.

Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Mona Roth said the programme aims to economically and socially empower rural women by creating reliable revenue-generating opportunities through aquaculture.