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Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer (CEO) K.R. Nandini on Friday urged women members of self-help groups (SHGs) to make effective use of government schemes such as the ‘Matsya Sanjeevini’, ‘Kukkuta Sanjeevini’, and ‘Ksheera Sanjeevini’ implemented under the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), to achieve economic self-reliance. Inaugurating a comprehensive fish-farming training workshop at the zilla panchayat, Ms. Nandini said that women members of SHGs must actively participate in every sector and develop their activities in an entrepreneurial manner to achieve success and self-employment. Nine lakh fish seedlings As part of the initiative, nine lakh fish seedlings were distributed to 49 SHGs across an equal number of village ponds in the district to promote fish farming. Women of Sanjeevini SHGs will earn additional income from fisheries under the programme. The scheme is expected to provide self-employment opportunities to around 245 women, the CEO said. Ms. Nandini advised SHGs to utilise government grants for income-generating activities and to serve as role models for others by making effective use of available government benefits. Health benefits Ms. Nandini noted that fish consumption offers several health benefits, as omega-3 fatty acids present in fish improve brain health, help control cholesterol levels, and reduce the risk of heart diseases. The Fisheries Department should take steps to raise public awareness and dispel misconceptions about eating fish, she said. “Fisheries can be a profitable livelihood. Women should apply the knowledge gained from this training to achieve success in fish farming,” she added. Pointing out that pregnant and lactating women and children require high amounts of protein and vitamins, Ms. Nandini said fish consumption provides rich nutritional value and suggested that the Departments of Health, Fisheries, and Women and Child Development jointly undertake awareness campaigns on this. Zilla Panchayat Deputy Secretary (Development) Lakshmi, Fisheries Department Deputy Director Baba Saheb, and other officials were present.
