KOCHI, 26 June 2018 : In a major effort to increase the domestic fish production in the state, the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) will implement a INR 150 million (INR 15 crore) worth project helping fish farmers to launch 500 cage farming units in Kerala.
The farmers will be offered subsidy and technical support to carry out the cage culture under the scheme, which is funded by the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Hyderabad. The programme assumes significance in the wake of discussions on the quality of fishes coming into Kerala from other states.
According to the programme, 40% of the total expense will be given as subsidy to the farmers who can conduct farming individually or in groups. Women and those from the SC/ST category will get 60% subsidy.
The programme will be implemented in coastal districts of the state. Species such as sea bass, pearl spot, cobia, pompano and red snapper will be farmed in cages with a size of 4 metre each width and length and 3 metre depth.
The farmers from the coastal districts can register now at the Mariculture Division of CMFRI to become the part of the scheme. The applicants should be capable of carrying out the farming in water resources that are at least three metre depth during low tide. Approval will be given only after the CMFRI team reviewing the spot and various conditions of the water resources for farming including environmental factors.
In addition, three Aqua One Labs will be set up in the state to help farmers for the smooth conduct of the cage farming. The Lab will provide services such as water quality check, sediment analysis, seed transportation, disease management, etc. 50% of the total cost will be given as subsidy to those eligible to set up the Aqua One Labs.
Details of the requirements for setting up the Lab are available in the CMFRI website (www.cmfri.org.in). CMFRI will also manage setting up of a small scale fish feed mill by providing subsidy.
The programme is aimed at improving the living standards of those living in the coastal regions of the state, besides ensuring the availability of quality and fresh fish across the state.
For registration, contact Mariculture Division of the CMFRI. Phone 0484 2394867.
