Entrepreneurship in fish fingerling production and its marketing in Maharashtra state

The Marine Biological Research station, Ratnagiri (Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Agriculture University) has initiated a concept of fish fingerling production and its marketing in Palasvada and Kadavai reservoirs in Ahmednagar and Ratnagiri district, respectively under the financial assistance from Rajiv Gandhi Science and Technology Commission (RGSTC), Mumbai. Fish fingerlings were reared in floating cages in Palasvada and Kadavai reservoirs by involving Self Help Groups (SHG) of rural youths. The measurable output of the project was production and marketing of fish fingerling. As on March, 2014, and 2015 the SHG from Ahmednagar earned a revenue of an amount of Rs. 6, 47, 985/-and Rs. 8, 15, 000/-by way of selling 3.5 lakh and 4.06 lakhs fish fingerling to the 120 and 102 farmers, respectively. First time in Maharashtra State, more than 150 acre polythene lined farm ponds are brought under fish culture. In Kadavai reservoir: Fish fingerling of freshwater fish of 15–20 mm size were reared up to 80 mm in three cages and now marketing of the fingerlings are going on. As on September, 2015 a revenue an amount of Rs. 11, 900/-is generated by the SHG through distribution of fish fingerlings to the farmers.