Around 86% of farmers in Assam belong to the small and marginal landholders. Most of these farmers are engaged in subsistence farming which hardly fulfils their family needs. Moreover, farming is a seasonal activity that leaves them without work or earnings for the rest of the season.

Pisciculture or fish farming is a successful concept that was promoted to provide an alternative to small farmers who are scrambling to eke out a living from their small land. The concept is a part of the integrated farming system which was discussed during the consultation meeting between Caritas India partner Seva Kendra Silchar (SKS) and the farmers.

Namdailong Farmers Club formed under SKS in the year 2019 was engaged in agricultural activities for sustenance but struggled with climatic irregularities affecting the yield and the income. The group consisted of 11 members including males and females who were cultivating paddy and some seasonal vegetables like Brinjal, tomato, cauliflower, cabbage, yam, sweet cassava, beans and chilli etc. They consume their agricultural produces and sell the surplus products in the market.

To improve the income and livelihood of the members of the farmers club, they decided to start Pisciculture with Catfish, Mrigal, Grass Carp, Japanese Carp and Rohu varieties. We decided to use our own local resources to make income in a sustainable way, says Mr.Mathiuning Rongmei, Secretary, Namdailong Farmers Club. This was the most favourable option to generate additional income in this area due to land, water and weather suitability.

Pisciculture is a good option for rural areas that contributes to farm income among marginalized farmers.

As the Lakhipur area has mixed communities and the demand for local fish as compared to imported fish is very high in the market, the members mutually decided to lease land for the Pisciculture in the village for the next five years. All the members contributed Rs.1,000 and started Pisciculture as a group with 1,500 fishlings.

To sustain the effort, Seva Kendra Silchar (SKS) through the support of Caritas India and MISEREOR, Germany helped them with 3,000 fish lings under the FARM Northeast programme. Namdailong Farmers club expects to generate their income up to 20-30% as an additional income and improve their livelihood.