- Women of Manora and Duldula Empowered Through Fish Farming; Lives Transformed by Substantial Income
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, the Chhattisgarh government is continuously working to make women economically empowered and self-reliant by connecting them with various livelihood opportunities. With the support of government schemes and departmental assistance, women in rural areas are now boosting their incomes by adopting profitable ventures like fish farming alongside traditional activities.
Women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in the Manora and Duldula development blocks of Jashpur district have set an inspiring example of economic self-reliance by using government ponds as a foundation for their livelihoods. Long-term leases for government ponds, technical guidance from the department, and the hard work of the group members have turned fish farming into a robust source of income for them.
- Pond Becomes a Source of Prosperity in Bhabhari
In the village of Bhabhari (Manora development block, Jashpur district), women from the ‘Kamal Mahila Self-Help Group’ have been engaged in fish farming for the past three years in a 0.700-hectare government pond, held under a 10-year lease. Through collective effort and departmental guidance, the women have successfully developed fish farming into a viable livelihood activity.
The group produces approximately 3 quintals of fish annually, generating sales worth around ₹6 lakh. This income has led to a significant improvement in the women’s economic status. They are now better able to meet household needs as well as cover expenses related to their children’s education, health, and other essentials.
- Women of Simda Script a New Story of Self-Reliance
In the village of Simda (Duldula development block), women from the ‘Deep Mahila Self-Help Group’ have also been practicing fish farming for the last three years in a 0.800-hectare government pond. Through organized efforts and persistent hard work, the group has transformed this activity into an effective source of income. The group produces approximately 3.30 quintals of fish annually, generating sales worth around ₹6.93 lakh. This has boosted the income of the women involved, making them financially stronger than before.
- Government Schemes Open New Avenues for Self-Reliance
Initiatives such as leasing government ponds to women’s self-help groups, providing technical guidance, and linking them to livelihood activities are laying the foundation for the economic empowerment of rural women. The income earned from fish farming has enabled these women to play a more effective role in meeting their families’ financial needs.
The women in the group state that managing household expenses used to be challenging due to limited sources of income. Starting fish farming provided a steady stream of earnings; now, they not only manage their own livelihood activities but also play an active role in making financial decisions.
- An Inspiration to Other Women
The success of the Kamal Women’s Self-Help Group and the Deep Women’s Self-Help Group demonstrates that the effective utilization of government schemes, combined with collective effort and proper guidance, can bring about significant changes in the lives of rural women. Today, the women in these groups are contributing not only to strengthening their families’ financial standing but also to boosting the local village economy.