Harnessing the blue economy

Blue Economy can drive economic empowerment and environmental sustainability. Jaljeevika, through collaboration with self-help groups (SHGs), community resource persons and local governance institutions, demonstrated the potential of aquaculture as a viable livelihood strategy. Jaljeevika’s key interventions, challenges and successes resulted in developing resilient and sustainable fisheries-based livelihoods among small scale fish farmers in India.

Fisheries and aquaculture play a vital role in global food security, economic development, and sustainable livelihoods. Despite India’s position as the world’s second-largest aquaculture producer, small-scale fishers and aquaculture farmers—particularly women and marginalized communities—face challenges in accessing knowledge, technology, and market linkages. Jaljeevika, a pioneering organization committed to strengthening aquatic livelihoods, has emerged as a transformative force in bridging these gaps. Over the past decade, it has successfully implemented scalable, community-driven aquaculture models, integrated digital solutions, and championed gender-inclusive development in the fisheries sector.

This article explores Jaljeevika’s key interventions, challenges, and successes in developing resilient and sustainable fisheries-based livelihoods, illustrating how the Blue Economy can drive economic empowerment and environmental sustainability.

Laying the Foundation: Piloting Fisheries-Based Livelihoods in Rainfed Regions

In 2013, Jaljeevika embarked on a mission to explore the viability of fisheries-based livelihoods in some of India’s most water-stressed regions. Pilot projects were initiated across six states—Malkangiri (Odisha), Bankura (West Bengal), Palamu (Jharkhand), Madhubani (Bihar), Mahbubnagar (Telangana), and Dewas (Madhya Pradesh)—targeting areas where smallholder farmers were heavily reliant on rainfed agriculture. Despite the availability of seasonal water bodies, aquaculture remained underutilized in these regions.

Through collaboration with self-help groups (SHGs), community resource persons, and local governance institutions, Jaljeevika demonstrated the potential of aquaculture as a viable livelihood strategy. Training programs covered pond preparation, water quality management, fish seed rearing, and market linkages. These interventions not only improved household incomes and nutritional security but also established small-scale fisheries as a sustainable economic model for marginalized communities.

Recognizing that technical knowledge alone was insufficient for widespread adoption, Jaljeevika emphasized community engagement and institutional development. The creation of fisheries cooperatives ensured long-term sustainability and collective bargaining power for small-scale fish farmers, fostering a model of shared prosperity.

Additionally, Jaljeevika promoted climate-resilient aquaculture techniques to address water scarcity and erratic rainfall patterns. Adaptive practices such as integrated rice-fish farming, agroecological approaches, and multi-trophic aquaculture were introduced to enhance resilience while maximizing productivity.

A significant milestone of this phase was the integration of aquaculture into MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) programs. This enabled rural communities to leverage state-supported employment schemes to develop ponds and fisheries infrastructure, further strengthening their economic stability.

Scaling Innovation: Advancing Cage Fisheries in Andhra Pradesh

Building on the lessons from its pilot phase, Jaljeevika expanded its intervention in Andhra Pradesh, a state with a strong aquaculture ecosystem. Recognizing the limitations of traditional pond-based farming, it introduced cage fisheries in reservoirs, allowing fish farming in existing water bodies to optimize resource utilization.

Across five districts, Jaljeevika trained more than 1,500 tribal fishers and cooperative members in constructing cost-effective bamboo-based cages, stocking fish seed, and managing fish growth cycles. By providing an alternative to expensive industrial cage systems, this initiative empowered communities to take control of their own production and improve economic viability.

A notable success story emerged in Vizianagaram, where women-led SHGs overcame operational and financial challenges to establish successful cage fisheries. Their perseverance in refining cage designs, implementing better feed management practices, and navigating market linkages transformed them into aquaculture entrepreneurs. Their work extended beyond fish production to seed rearing, value-added processing, and direct market engagement, proving that women-led enterprises can thrive in the fisheries sector.

To further support community-led initiatives, Jaljeevika developed cooperative ownership models for cage fisheries, ensuring profits were reinvested into local aquaculture infrastructure. Additionally, partnerships with financial institutions and microfinance agencies facilitated access to working capital, allowing small-scale entrepreneurs to scale their operations sustainably.

Institutionalizing Knowledge: The AquaSchool Model

Recognizing the need for structured training and continuous knowledge dissemination, Jaljeevika established AquaSchools—dedicated learning centers offering hands-on training in modern aquaculture practices.

The AquaSchool curriculum covers essential topics such as soil and water quality assessment, fish seed rearing, hatchery management, biofloc technology, cage fisheries, hydroponics, aquaponics, and farm-made fish feed production. With seven AquaSchools operating in Bihar, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, and Jharkhand, over 12,000 farmers have benefited from these capacity-building programs.

Beyond training, the AquaSchools serve as knowledge hubs that link fish farmers to financial institutions, government programs, and market networks, enabling them to commercialize their operations. Additionally, the inclusion of women’s leadership training has played a pivotal role in strengthening female participation in aquaculture, equipping them with technical and entrepreneurial skills to run successful fisheries businesses.

Embracing Digital Transformation: The e-Matsya Mitra Initiative

To complement physical training programs, Jaljeevika launched e-Matsya Mitra, a multilingual chatbot-based advisory service that provides real-time guidance on fish farming best practices, disease management, and access to government schemes.

This digital intervention has significantly improved information accessibility, especially in remote areas where extension services are limited. Additionally, Jaljeevika has begun pilot testing IoT-based smart pond management systems, integrating real-time water quality monitoring sensors that alert farmers to fluctuations in pH, dissolved oxygen, and ammonia levels. These innovations have led to improved productivity, reduced losses, and optimized resource utilization.

To enhance transparency and profitability in the sector, Jaljeevika is also developing blockchain-based traceability systems, allowing small-scale fish farmers to access premium markets that require certified, high-quality fish products.

Box 1: Fishing for survival

In Vizianagaram district’s Pachipenta Mandal, near the state’s border with Odisha, lies the nondescript Kodikallavalasa village. Bereft of any substantial development, it is close to the Peddagadda reservoir, a medium irrigation project built on a tributary of river Suvarnamukhi, which is a tributary of Nagavali.

 

 

 

Fish rearing was the occupation of the menfolk but they made very little out of it, just enough to eke out a living. Things changed substantially with the intervention of an NGO: Centre for Aquatic Livelihood – Jal Jeevika. In association with the Tata group’s philanthropic arm Tata Trusts, they introduced them to efficient ways of fish farming. In partnership with the state fisheries department, the programme began in January 2016 when Tata Trusts’ field lead Padmakar Bojja began discussions with the local fisheries cooperative society. 

 

 

 

During his conversation with members of the Neelammathalli SHG, Padmakar suggested to the women that they take up the cage method of fish rearing. Initially, they were reluctant and it took much persuasion for about 40 women to attend a meeting with the district fisheries officer in March that year. To impress upon them the economic potential of inland fisheries, they were taken on an exposure visit to Dimbhe reservoir in Pune, Maharashtra. There, they saw how rural women had begun earning Rs 6,000-8,000 per month by following the NGO’s recommendations. After the trip, 10 women from Kodikallavalasa showed interest in learning the method.

 

Jal Jeevika organised trainings for them and showed them how to build a cage with locally available materials such as bamboo. (E-commerce platforms sell fish cages for as much as Rs 1.2 lakh.) It educated women about constructing cages and about cage culture, its maintenance, ornamental fish rearing, managing fish feed, disease management etc.

With the aid of the state fisheries department, extensive capacity-building measures were taken and the women set about looking after a cage in rotational shifts. Their efforts began to yield results and they could spot maturing Rohu fish in the enclosure. However, they were unaware that when these fish grow in size, they would be capable of jumping out of the cage and to the reservoir. The women recognised the problem only after much of their fish stock disappeared. They held discussions and decided to use their old sarees to cover the cage.

Learning by trial and error, the women of the SHG demonstrated perseverance, which paid off on October 9, 2017 when they sold 5,000 finger-sized young fish, weighing about 65 kg and earned Rs 10,800. 

Women’s success in fish farming has inspired men, too. Kondal Rao, the President of Fisheries Cooperative Society says, “now the men’s cooperative too has started working on developing a sustainable income. They are so inspired and driven by the economic potential of pisciculture that now they want to be the best fishery cooperative in the district.”

Buoyed by the success story of Kodikallavalasa village, Mishra says his NGO wants to engage 10,000 ponds across the country for inland fish rearing this year. In 2017, Tata Trusts and Jal Jeevika introduced more than 160 rural people in four districts of Andhra Pradesh (Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam and Anantapur) to efficient ways of fish farming. According to the NGO, such local enterprises fetched about Rs 1.1 crore in a year.

Note: This is an edited version of the original published at https://www.indiawaterportal.org/people-and-culture/culture/fishing-survival

 

 

The Future of India’s Blue Economy: Scaling Jaljeevika’s Impact

Jaljeevika’s transformative journey underscores the potential of aquaculture as a driver of economic development, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability. Looking ahead, the organization aims to:

• Expand digital advisory services to 100,000 fish farmers through e-Matsya Mitra.
• Establish Women-Led Fisheries Producer Companies to strengthen market access and value chain integration.
• Advocate for sustainable aquaculture policies, including regulatory frameworks for inland and wetland fisheries.
• Promote eco-certification and traceability to enhance marketability and export opportunities.
• Strengthen financial partnerships to increase access to microfinance and credit for small-scale aquaculture entrepreneurs.
• Advance climate-smart aquaculture practices to ensure resilience against environmental and climatic changes.

By integrating technology, cooperative enterprise models, and financial inclusion, Jaljeevika envisions a resilient, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable fisheries sector. Its efforts align with India’s Blue Economy agenda, ensuring that small-scale fishers and aquaculture farmers play a central role in shaping the nation’s aquaculture-driven economic growth.

With continuous investment in research, policy advocacy, and community empowerment, Jaljeevika is leading the way in transforming fisheries from a subsistence-based activity into a thriving economic sector.

Neelkanth Mishra
CEO & Founder
Jaljeevika
11, Snehkunj Apartments,
Jambhulkar Chowk, Vikas Nagar, Wanowrie,
Pune - 411040 , India
Email: neelkanth.mishra@jaljeevika.org