KOCHI: The Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) will lay stress on community engagement to help the fisheries sector achieve sustainable growth, Fisheries Minister K Babu said.
Inaugurating the new library complex at the KUFOS here on Saturday, the Minister, who is also the Pro-vice-chancellor of the university, described the initiative to start a community information centre at the library as a step towards reaching out to the fisherfolk.
“The fish farmers and the fisherfolk will be able to access publications and CDs on various topics such as fish farming; organic feed formulations; disease diagnosis; sea and coastal laws; value additions; ocean phenomena and traditional knowledge, offered by the library at the community centre,” the Minister said.
The output of research works should reach the targeted community so as to improve the sector. “No research is meaningful unless it reaches the grassroots level. Within a short span of four years, the KUFOS has achieved tremendous growth and contributed remarkably to the fisheries and ocean studies sector in the State,” said the minister.
KUFOS VC B Madhusoodana Kurup in his presidential address said that the university library would be developed into an information gateway in fisheries and ocean studies in South East Asia.Kerala State Coastal Area Development Corporation managing director Dr K Ambady, Dominic Presentation MLA, Cusat Pro-vice-chancellor Dr K Padmakumar spoke.