Entrepreneurial behaviour of tribal fish farmers in Assam, north-east India

Parag Saikia, B. Handique & Azhaguraja, M

Abstract:

In many tribal villages of Assam fish farming has slowly moved from being just a way to meet household food needs to becoming an important source of income. This change has not been automatic. It is linked with how farmers think, act and respond to challenges. The way they spot opportunities, take risks, share work within the community and adapt to change conditions together form what is called entrepreneurial behaviour. In Assam, such behaviour is visible when Mising farmers experiment with catfish culture in Majuli, when Bodo families reinforce pond dykes to cope with floods, when Karbi women join hands to sell fish directly in town markets or when Tiwa youth start nurseries to supply fingerlings locally. These examples show that entrepreneurship is not about big businesses alone but about small everyday decisions that help families improve their lives. With supportive policies and culturally sensitive extension tribal aquaculture can become a strong driver of livelihood and nutrition security in north east India.