Hon’ble MoS Shri. George Kurian inaugurates New Phase of Training under Matsya Shakthi Project at ICAR-CMFRI Vizhinjam
Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and Minority Affairs Shri. George Kurian on Wednesday inaugurated the training-cum-awareness programme under the Matsya Shakthi project at the Vizhinjam Regional Centre of ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI) on 4th March 2026.
Matsya Shakthi is a comprehensive initiative aimed at transforming the lives of coastal minority communities through skill development, leadership training and fisheries-based livelihood technologies, the Minister said.
The Minister inaugurated the new phase of structured training and awareness activities of the project which was launched last year at the CMFRI Centre in Vizhinjam. The project is implemented through the flagship Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) scheme of the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India.
The project targets 690 beneficiaries, making it one of the largest capacity-building initiatives for minority fisher communities in the district. It reflects the Centre’s commitment to inclusive growth and sustainable livelihoods.
Under the programme, 90 participants are being trained as fishery hatchery production workers through a 40-day course covering broodstock management, artificial breeding, larval rearing, feed and water quality management, hatchery hygiene and biosecurity.
Another 180 beneficiaries will be trained in cage culture fish farming, focusing on sustainable mariculture practices. In addition, as many as 420 women will undergo exclusive leadership development training, including communication skills, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, awareness of government schemes and collective action.
The Minister interacted with trainees and urged them to emerge as entrepreneurs and community leaders. He also distributed fish seeds of Giant Trevally, a high-value edible species, and Bluefin Watchman Goby, an ornamental fish, to farmers and released two brochures on the species. The Union Minister later visited the hatchery and other facilities at the Vizhinjam Regional Centre.
Dr Santhosh B, Head of the Centre, Dr Surya S, Senior Scientist, and Ambarish P Gop, Scientist, also spoke on the occasion.
