Ranchi: The Fisheries Directorate has launched a new initiative to promote the farming of Macrobrachium rosenbergii, locally known as mahazhinga, in reservoirs across the state. This move comes under the guidance of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry (Fisheries), and Cooperative Minister Shilpi Neha Tirkey, with the aim of improving the livelihoods of tribal communities.
The programme is being carried out with technical support from Dr. Archan Kanti Das, Chief Scientist at ICAR-CIFRI in Barrackpore, Kolkata. According to Fisheries Director Amrendra Kumar, integrating mahazhinga farming with traditional fish cultivation in smaller reservoirs can significantly increase the income and living standards of local fisherfolk.
Previously, mahazhinga farming was limited to three reservoirs in Jharkhand—Ghaghra (Hazaribagh), Kelaghagh (Simdega), and Masariya (Gumla)—where it delivered encouraging results. Building on this success, district officials have now shown keen interest in expanding the practice to more locations.
The initiative has recently been extended to six additional reservoirs: Bachra (Latehar), Karanji and Nouranga (Ranchi), Nandni (Lohardaga), Dhansingh (Gumla), and Bankibera (Dumka). On March 30, a total of 2.34 lakh mahazhinga seeds were released into the Bankibera Reservoir in Dumka.
To support farmers, the department has also provided essential inputs such as feed, mineral mix, and zeolite. Dr. Das highlighted that mahazhinga farming not only creates opportunities for self-employment but also ensures better earnings, given the rising demand and favorable market prices.
The effort has been made possible with the active involvement of district fisheries officers, extension teams, and local reservoir committees, as informed by Prashant Kumar Deepak, Chief Director of the Fisheries Directorate.