Fisheries institute to launch cage farming project in Kerala

The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) today said it will implement a Rs 15 crore project to launch 500 cage farming units in Kerala.

The farmers will be offered subsidy and technical support to carry out cage culture under the scheme, which is funded by the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Hyderabad, it said.

The programme assumes significance in the wake of discussions on the quality of fish coming into Kerala from other states.

According to the programme, 40 per cent of the total expenses will be given as subsidy to farmers who can conduct farming individually or in groups.

Women and those from the SC/ST category will get 60 per cent 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 institute said.

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, it said.

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 per cent of the total cost will be given as subsidy to those eligible to set up the Aqua One Labs.

CMFRI will also manage setting up of a small scale fish feed mill by providing subsidy.