Ministry of Minority Affairs will sign an MoU with ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) in Thiruvananthapuram tomorrow (August 27, 2025), to launch a skill training and women entrepreneurship development project under Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) scheme.
The signing ceremony, scheduled at the Animation Centre in Kovalam, will be chaired by Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, George Kurian.
The project will train 690 candidates from minority communities in Kerala, offering specialised skill development and entrepreneurship support. Of these, 270 candidates will be trained in non-traditional fisheries-based skills, including 90 in fish hatchery production and 180 in cage culture fish farming. These courses are aimed at enhancing self-employment opportunities and boosting incomes among fisherfolk. In addition, 420 women will undergo leadership and entrepreneurship programmes to equip them with the skills needed to establish and manage their own enterprises.
All participants will receive stipends during the training period, and the project will also provide handholding support to help them transition into self-employment.
CMFRI, with its expertise in fisheries research, innovation, and capacity building, will act as the implementing agency, delivering both technical training and mentoring support.
This initiative is part of PM VIKAS scheme, which consolidates and scales up skilling and education programmes for India’s six notified minority communities. The scheme places a strong emphasis on empowering youth and women by equipping them with market-relevant skills and fostering entrepreneurial growth.
