Identifying training needs in inland fisheries management for the fishers in the state of Bihar, eastern India

The training needs of 450 fish farmers/ fishermen from 15 randomly selected districts of Bihar (30 trainees from each district) who received training from ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CIFRI), Barrackpore, India were analysed in this study. For training need assessment (TNA), a close ended interview schedule with twenty topics was developed by ICAR-CIFRI keeping in mind the type of fisheries and water resources existing in Bihar. The trainees were asked to respond in a three point continuum scale based on the importance of the topic to them. Composite fish culture ranked highest followed by fish disease control, fish feed preparation and soil and water chemistry. Prawn culture and induced breeding of Magur were perceived as least required topics by the trainees. Cumulative cube root frequency (CCRF) method was used to classify farmers based on training needs and it was found that majority (49%) of the respondents were having medium level of training needs (0.43-0.66). Trainees with higher level of education had significant interest to know about the Government schemes related to fisheries. Trainees with non-farm related enterprises as primary/secondary occupations were highly inclined towards learning economic evaluation and hatchery management, whereas trainees with farm related enterprises as primary/secondary occupations were interested in integrated fish farming. It was also found that the fishers of different districts had varied training needs but overall 'high training need' was observed in composite fish culture and pond construction. Trainees' expectations from the trainings were improvement in income, reduction in migration and debt clearance. Hence it could be inferred that need based skill development programmes are essential to ensure success of any human resource development (HRD) programme.