Minister for Fisheries J. Mercykutty Amma has said that the fisheries sector of the State will have better potential for development if the aquaculture sector of the State concentrates more on the native varieties of edible fish. Though there is plenty of demand for fish seed of the pearl spot and other native varieties, production in the State is too poor compared to the demand, she said. Inaugurating the National Aquaculture Farmers Day celebrations here on Sunday, she said farmers should easily get good quality native fish variety seeds and fish feed at affordable prices. Presently farmers have no other go but to depend upon fish feed and seeds produced in other States by paying high costs. This often makes aquaculture a non-profitable venture in Kerala. In order to correct the situation the State government has decided to start a fish feed manufacturing unit this year itself. To begin with the new unit will have a capacity to produce 500 kg of fish feed per day. Kerala should also achieve self-sufficiency in the production of fish seeds, she said. The function was presided over by M. Noushad, MLA. M. Mukesh, MLA, honoured the aquaculture farmers. The Deputy Director (Fisheries) T.C. Suresh Kumar spoke.
2016, The Hindu