KOCHI: The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) will implement a Rs 15-crore project to help fish farmers in the state launch 500 cage farming units. The farmers will be offered subsidy and technical support to carry out cage culture under the scheme funded by the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Hyderabad.
The programme assumes significance in the wake of discussions on the quality of fish being brought to Kerala from other states. As per the project, 40 per cent of the total expense will be given as subsidy to the farmers who can conduct farming individually or in groups. Women farmers and those from the SC/ST category will get 60 per cent subsidy. Species such as sea bass, pearl spot, cobia, pompano and red snapper will be farmed in cages, which are four metres wide and four metres long.
The farmers from the coastal districts can register now at the Mariculture Division of CMFRI to become part of the scheme. The applicants should be capable of carrying out farming in water resources which have at least three metre depth during low tide. Approval will be given only after a visit by the CMFRI team to the spot. In addition, three Aqua One Labs will be set up in the state to help farmers for the smooth conduct of cage farming. For registration, contact Mariculture Division of the CMFRI. Phone - 0484 2394867.