Fisheries department of Kerala had started the Kerala State Coastal Area Development Corporation (KSCADC) and now it became a significant milestone after achieving the purchase of Rs 49.5 lakh worth value-added fish products and exports to countries such as the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. Both containers have been picked up and escorted to the governor’s office by CM Pinarayi Vijayan and the Minister of Fisheries, Saji Cherian.
The shipment of this volume substantiates the status of Kerala in the global markets with exports of marine products, which manifests the state’s decision to develop the amicable policy framework. This effort is targeting to enable entrepreneurial business and job creation in fisheries areas through export endeavour by promoting dried fish, frozen fish and other aquatic products worth between 10 and 100 crore rupees.
The key to true success of KSCADC’s export mark would be its modern Fish Processing Centre (FPC) located at Sakthikulangara, Kollam that uses solar power and follows international safety and quality standards. The FPC is going stronger and faster by working with the Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT) and the National Institute of Post-harvest Technology and Training (NIFPHATT). The 1-ton fish processing capacity of the FPC is now exporting both domestic and global markets ready to eat and ready to cook products.
Interestingly, in extension to its women empowerment initiative, FPC women constitute the majority of the workers at the processing and packaging phases. The KSCADC also displays its commitment to pushing environmental conservation and inclusion by promoting them through these schemes. With their eco-friendly solutions, the coastal communities are poised to achieve sustainable growth, applauding Kerala’s exemplary role as a pioneer in economic development.
