Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav (My Village My Pride) programme is launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister on 25 July, 2015 on the 87^th Foundation Day of the ICAR and KVK Conference at Patna. This programme is framed for sensitizing agricultural scientists to identify their own villages or any nearby villages and provide farm advice to farmers on voluntary basis.

Uunder this programme, Veraval Research Centre of ICAR-CIFT has selected five villages in Gir Somntah district. A team comprising of six scientists were formed at the Centre for popularizing the research activities and recent technologies developed by ICAR-CIFT. As part of the data collection and initial survey, the team visited government offices, district governing offices, Gir Somnath,  Krishi Vigyan Kedra of ICAR, Kodinar, Village offices, Fishermen  Society office etc. The selected villages are: Jaleshwar of Patan-Veraval, Seruva, Madhupur- Jambur, Muldwaraka and Dhamlej.

Map showing selected villages for Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav programme

Based on the outcome of the initial meeting with various officials, initial interactive village meeting were conducted at selected villages for mapping the problems and prioritizing the activity under this programme as detailed below:

Jaleshwar, Patan-Veraval: Jaleshwar is a fishing village in Patan-Veraval. Nearly 50 fishermen settlements are there in the village. Fishing is mainly done using gillnets. The beach is sandy as well as rocky. The rocky patches have lot of potential for trap fisheries. ICAR-CIFT is planning to popularize energy efficient and responsible fishing practises and awareness on hygienic handling of fishes in the village.

Seruva  and Madhupur- Jambur: Seruva and Jambur, are nearby villages in Talala taluka of Gir Somnath district.  These villagers mainly involved in agriculture activities and deep in the Gir forest are home to a community called ‘Sihis’. Sidis are the Africans of India. Descendants of African slaves who were brought to India as special servants in the courts of Muslim Nawabs and Sultans. The Sidis of Jambur are supposed to have originally come from Kano in Nigeria. These Villages are located 30 km away from Research Centre. Agriculture and related activities are more prevalent but Sidi tribes are also associated with the fishing and related activity. Recently Sidi tribes of Talala Naka, Veraval received technological assistance for preparation of various fishery products from ICAR-CIFT. Under Mera Gaon Mera Gourav programme also the Centre is planning to provide technical support by providing hygienic handling of fishes and dry fish making.

Muldwaraka  and Dhamlej: These villages are situated south of Kodinar  in between Diu and Veraval, both belonging to Kodinar taluka of Gir Somnath district. The villages are 55 and 45km respectively  away from ICAR-CIFT. In the initial meeting villagers asked for the equipments and methodology for keeping the catch fresh for long time. The Centre is planning various training programme on fish harvest and post harvest techniques in these villages.

Meeting with the Coordinator Krishi Vigyan Kendra, ICAR, Kodinar

Initial meeting at the selected villages

Scientists interacting with villagers at Jaleshwar fishing village of Patan-Veraval