Fingerlings: Livelihood Assets for the locals of Basanti Block

Rural aquaculture as a weapon to fight poverty and reduce inequality has received renewed attention in recent years. It contributes to poverty alleviation and employs millions of people.  In terms of providing nutritious food (fish being the cheapest animal protein) and creating employment opportunities, aquaculture interventions have proved to be quite useful.

Being the high resource of thousand species of fishes Sunderban rivers are full of fries and fingerlings. These fingerlings can be a source of income for the people of Sunderban for their survival if used in a controlled manner. Mukti took the initiative to encourage women to collect fingerlings and thus they will be able to earn for their families through the “Food for Work” project of Mukti.

There are two villages under Basanti Block where the program of collecting fingerlings was started by Mukti on 31^st August. It was a 10 day program.

Village Name	River Name	Number of Collected Fingerlings (Per Day)	Number of Women Working
Harbhanghi	Matla	50-60 hundis	20-25
No. 6 Sonakhali	Hogol	30-40 hundis	10-15

In 400 bigha of “vheri” along with various ponds the fries and fingerlings of Parse, Bele, Payrakholi, Kat koi, Dokhina Bhetki and crabs were stored. The fingerlings were distributed to the needy people also.