The Indo-German Development Cooperation Project ’Food Security through Integrated Aquaculture’ (EIAA), locally known as Sustainable Aquaculture for Food and Livelihood (SAFAL), aims to increase fish production from sustainable aquaculture sources while promoting gender inclusion approaches. On behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH implements the SAFAL project in cooperation with the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAHD), Government of India. The methodology included gender sensitization events, training in carp composite fish culture, and capacity-building programs for developing Community Resource Persons (CRPs) as Aquaculture Service Providers. Participants also learned about income generation through value-added fish products, including carp-based fish pickles in Assam and Odisha.
The capacity-building programs had a significant impact, especially on female participants who previously faced barriers due to traditional gender roles (Table-1). A joint training was organised by SAFAL and Indo-German Project Enhancing Rural Resilience Through Appropriate Development Actions (ERADA) to train CRPs in Bihar with Government partners. Awareness programs on value-added fish product preparation highlighted the profitability of selling value-added products alongside aquaculture. A few members from the Srishtri Fish Producer Group, which operates under the women-led fish cooperative, Champabati Fish Co-operative Society in Morigaon, Assam, India, has initiated a new venture called "Gyanam Food Products." This enterprise specializes in producing an assortment of pickles, including fish-based varieties and aims to boost the income of its participants. Kopili Fish Producer Group under Champabati Fish Co-operative Society have also started a similar venture of selling fish pickles. These FPOs have received capacity-building training from the SAFAL project. An initiative called the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) by SAFAL, GIZ and Innovative Change Collaborative Services Private Limited (ICCSPL) has empowered 500 women fish farmers in Morigaon, Assam. It has enabled these farmers to produce higher-quality fish adhering to PGS standards which they now sell in local markets under the brand name "Morigaon Fish". In conclusion, the SAFAL project is empowering women by improving household income and strengthening their agency at household and community level.