The objective of this study was to examine the inception and development of various schemes for fishery cooperatives during the NITI Aayog period (2015-2023) in India. The study aims to investigate the capacity building requirements of fisher cooperative societies and the challenges faced by fishery cooperatives in India. By conducting training needs assessments, enhancing capacity, strengthening businesses, and leveraging government schemes, the study seeks to advance the long-term objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) related to poverty reduction, food security, equality, and institutional development. This initiative will bolster a resilient framework for food security and protein enrichment aligned with SDG targets, thereby fostering stakeholder prosperity within the fish cooperative ecosystem and addressing policy imperatives for sustainable development.

Nagaland is one of the eight sister states in northeast India. It is a mountainous region, home to diverse indigenous tribes with distinct cultures. With a population of 2.28 million, the total potential area for aquaculture is estimated to be around 30,000 hectares, but around 90% of this area remains untapped. The ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA) has made significant efforts to establish aquaculture as a viable livelihood option for the people of Nagaland through programmes on i) paddy and amur carp farming, and ii) promotion of ornamental fish farming among school children. This article describes efforts to implement a project on amur carp farming as a diversified aquaculture practice under the Northeast Program. Further efforts to initiate aquarium-based farming of ornamental fish species through a capacity building programme and distribution of aquariums and ornamental fish species to high schools are also described.

Ompok bimaculatus, locally known as pabda catfish, is widely distributed in the natural water resources of Assam and other northeastern states of India. It is a preferred indigenous non-airbreathing catfish with high market demand compared to Indian major carps and exotic carps. Due to habitat modification and over exploitation, pabda has been assessed as Near Threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. This article describes the development of captive breeding protocols for pabda at the Pabhoi Fish Farm, including broodstock management, captive breeding, and larval rearing. Fecundity ranged from 20,000-22,000 eggs per 100 g body weight. Spawning was induced with Ovatide and eggs transferred to a flow-through system for hatching. Larvae began exogenous feeding after two days.

In India's north-eastern states and West Bengal, women's participation in aquaculture is around 55%. They are involved in pond fertilisation, nursery fish seed rearing, fish feeding, and harvesting. In Purba Medinipur, women practice family-based freshwater aquaculture in backyard ponds. This helps improve the health of rural households and supports their lives and livelihoods. Experts from ICAR-Central Institute for Women in Agriculture, Odisha, believe that improving rural women's access to credit and developing women-friendly aquaculture technologies can help. Involving women trainers and extension workers, and organising women aquaculture clubs, can also enhance technology transfer. This article describes the role of women in aquaculture in Haldia, Purba Medinipur, and the practices and business development of some leading women fish farmers.