Bengal to help women manage fish farming scientifically

Kolkata, July 19 (IANS) The West Bengal government is drafting a proposal to help women in the Sundarbans mangroves scientifically manage fish farming and become self-sufficient, a minister said on Tuesday.

"We have noticed every house is closely associated with a water body and the women use the fresh water as a hatchery. The farming is not carried out in a proper way. If we can test the soil and water and inform them which fish species is suitable for growth in that particular pond, then it will benefit them," Fisheries Minister Chandra Nath Sinha told IANS.

The idea is to spread fish farming via the self help groups and empower women, he said.

The state Departments of BDiotechnology and Sundarban Affairs will collaborate with the Fisheries Department to frame a proposal in July to enable a co-ordinated effort.

"If there is any possibility of developing tourism along the hatcheries then we will also consider it," Sinha added.