Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], August 28 : George Kurian, Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, and Minority Affairs, on Thursday launched the 'Matsya Shakthi' project aimed to empower the minority fishermen community in Thiruvananthapuram district.
The project, implemented under the Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) scheme, aims to provide skill development and vocational training to both men and women from minority fisher families, according to the release.
Highlighting the scope of the project, the minister said 'Mastya Shakthi' would benefit 700 fisher families in the district, which has one of the largest populations of minority fisherfolk. The project is being carried out by the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) at its Regional Center in Vizhinjam.
This one-year programme will be executed in several phases, focusing on various aspects of the fisheries sector. The CMFRI facility, renowned for its development of technology to produce both food and ornamental fish, will provide a hands-on learning environment for participants. Training will cover advanced techniques such as cage fish farming, artificial breeding for seed production, pearl and edible oyster farming, and seaweed cultivation, as stated in the release.
On the benefit of becoming part of the 'Matsya Shakthi' initiative, George Kurian said those who complete the training will also receive support to establish their own entrepreneurial initiatives and startups in diversified areas of the fisheries sector, thereby improving their overall quality of life.
"This training will enable participants to become entrepreneurs, government project beneficiaries, and even consultants in the fisheries sector", the minister added.
With this project, the Central Government focuses on enhancing employment prospects and improving wages. The primary objective of the programme is to bring modern technology to these communities, ultimately helping them achieve better living standards, the minister said.
During the launch of the programme, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Ministry of Minority Affairs and CMFRI for the successful implementation of the initiative. The project offers training courses to different batches of participants in a systematic learning system. The program is divided into three types of courses, with one specifically designed for women. This exclusive course will focus on leadership and entrepreneurship to empower women.
Dr Grinson George, Director of CMFRI, Shri Ankur Yadav, Deputy Secretary from the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Dr S Kannappan, Senior Executive Director of National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Dr Santhosh B, Head of CMFRI's Vizhinjam Regional Centre and Dr Surya S, Senior Scientist, spoke on the occasion.