The Hemant Soren government is helping displaced Adivasi families by training and promoting them to do Cage Fish Farming in abandoned coal mines in Khelari.

In fact, in Ranchi's Khelari block, some displaced families have started to earn their livelihood through the practice of cage fish farming. These families were displaced due to the Silongoda mines project implementation.

Now they have become beneficiaries of cage fish farming scheme introduced by the Ranchi District Administration & Department of Fisheries. And in the process, they are earning and eking out their living through cage fish farming. 

For instance, Baleshwar Ganju is one of these families who were displaced due to a coal mining project. However, the joint efforts put in by the district administration and fisheries department are learnt to be helping him Ganju earn a living for himself and his family through this scheme.

With planned support from government and fish cooperatives, these families were trained in fish farming through the cage culture. 

Baleshwar is also the chairman of Ganjhu Matsya Jeeva Sahyog Samiti Limited. He says, "The committee consists of several displaced families. All of these families have been provided with five cages to practice fish farming by the Ranchi district administration. Fish production is being practised with the help of it. Apart from this, five life jackets, one boat, shed house, fodder, and fish seed have also been provided by the administration.”

What is Cage Culture fish farming? 

Cage fishery is a recent technology being employed to practice fish farming in many developing countries. This helps improve the rate of production and at the same time brings down the cost of production. Existing resources are being utilised to maximise benefits. In Khalari, there are many abandoned coal mines & stone mines, therefore, the open coalfield and stone mines are being used as reservoirs for fish farming.