Centre to launch a new pilot project to uplift the fishing community in Kerala’s Kuttanad region. Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, George Kurian, announced the initiative during a consultative meeting at the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) in Kochi. The project aims to enhance livelihood opportunities and boost the local economy.
Project will integrate modern and traditional aquaculture practices, including cage fish farming, biofloc farming, and the innovative "one fish one paddy" system, to maximize productivity and ensure sustainability. Fish Farmers Producers Organizations (FFPOs) will be formed to empower local communities, streamline operations, and provide better access to markets.
Kurian emphasized that the primary goal is to generate sustainable income for fish farmers while creating new employment opportunities. The project will include extensive training programmes to equip farmers with advanced skills in aquaculture and will also encourage startups to venture into processing, packaging, and fish trade, thereby adding value to the sector.
Given Kuttanad’s diverse aquatic ecosystem, the project will be tailored to meet the specific needs of fresh and brackish water farming in Upper and Lower Kuttanad. Premier research institutions, including ICAR institutes and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), will provide scientific and technical expertise to ensure smooth implementation.
A detailed project report will be prepared soon to facilitate swift execution and deliver long-term economic benefits to the region.
Former Union Minister of State Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Fisheries Development Commissioner Dr Mohammed Koya, CMFRI Director Dr Grinson George, and Principal Scientist Dr Imelda Joseph also participated in the meeting, alongside representatives from various research institutions and government agencies.
