Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Assam Fish-Based Nutrition Initiative Wins Government Karmashree Award
Researchers at the ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology worked with WorldFish to make nutritious food from small fish.
They turned the fish into a powder that can be added to different foods.
Assam is using this powder in meals served at schools and Anganwadi centres.
The programme is called Matsya Paripushti, which means complete nourishment through fish.
The research collaboration began in 2019.
The Assam Government gave the programme the Karmashree Award 2026.
The award recognises how research was turned into a public programme.
The initiative is intended to help children get better nutrition while supporting local fisheries and women’s livelihoods.
The Assam Government’s Matsya Paripushti initiative has received the Karmashree Award 2026.
The initiative adds nutrient-rich powder made from small indigenous fish to school and Anganwadi meals.
ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology developed the fish powder through research with WorldFish.
The CIFT–WorldFish collaboration began in 2019 to create affordable fish-based foods for children and women.
The initiative aims to improve child nutrition, dietary diversity, women’s livelihoods and local fisheries value chains.
- Who
- The ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, WorldFish and the Assam Government are involved; George Ninan is identified as the institute’s director.
- What
- The Matsya Paripushti fish-based nutrition initiative received the Assam Government’s Karmashree Award 2026.
- When
- The CIFT–WorldFish research collaboration began in 2019; the award was reported on August 20, 2026.
- Where
- The research was conducted by ICAR-CIFT in Kochi, while the initiative is being implemented in Assam.
- Why
- The initiative uses small indigenous fish to improve child nutrition and dietary diversity, while also supporting women’s livelihoods and local fisheries value chains.
- Award
- Karmashree Award 2026
- Initiative
- Matsya Paripushti, meaning complete nourishment through fish
- Implementing government
- Assam Government
- Food product
- Nutrient-rich powder made from small indigenous fish
- Meal settings
- Schools and Anganwadi centres
- Research partners
- ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology and WorldFish
- Collaboration start
- 2019