Context:
Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, and Minority Affairs, Shri George Kurian, announced a pilot project to enhance livelihood opportunities for fish farmers in the Kuttanad region of Kerala. The decision was taken at a consultative meeting held at ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Kochi.
Key Highlights:
- Objective: Enhance income and livelihood for fish farmers in Kuttanad.
- Scope of the Project:
- Promote modern and traditional aquaculture practices, including:
- Integrated fish farming
- Cage fish farming
- “One fish, one paddy” sustainable initiative
- Biofloc fish farming
- Promote modern and traditional aquaculture practices, including:
- Formation of Fish Farmers Producers Organizations (FFPOs) to empower local communities and streamline operations.
- Extensive training programs to build technical skills in aquaculture.
- Encouragement of startups for post-harvest activities like processing, cleaning, packing, and trade of fish.
Fish Farmers Producers Organizations (FFPOs)
- FFPOs are collectives of fish farmers, structured as companies, where members come together to improve production, marketing, and income.
- Aim to empower small and marginal fish farmers by pooling resources and providing collective bargaining power.
