The operational area of KIDS has vast stretch of coastal areas and is directly and indirectly connected with the fishermen throughout the programmes. Different welfare and development programmes have been implemented for the fishermen families of the operational areas.
- Cage Fish Culture
- Solar Tent Dryers
- Value Added Fish Production Units
- Green Mussels and Edible Oyster Culture
The area of operation of KIDS has a vast stretch of coastal areas and is directly and indirectly connected with the fishermen throughout the programmes. The Fishermen Development Department aims at the integrated development of the three categories of fishermen groups namely,
- Traditional Inland Fishermen
- Traditional Marine Fishermen
- Fishermen Labourers in Boats
Different welfare and development programmes have been implemented for the fishermen families of these three categories separately. The fishermen community truly benefit from the different interventions including awareness campaigns on relevant subjects, health insurance, scholarships and children’s libraries, that have an imperative role in the integrated development of these communities.
Programmes for the Development of Fishermen Communities
Cage Fish Culture
Cage fish culture is a practice of growing fishes in confined areas which facilitate feeding, harvesting and other management procedures and has been established as an intensive fish farming system, that contribute much to the aquaculture fish production. The project was implemented through Inland fisherman SHGs in Ernakulam District. Asian Seabass (Lates calcarifer) was selected for cage culture because of its good market demand and aptness to culture in confined areas. The pioneer intervention of KIDS in Asian Seabass Cage culture in Kerala back waters has become a replicable model for the aquaculture sector in promoting the finfish culture.
Green Mussels and Edible Oyster Culture
Using the potential of the back waters, green mussel and edible oyster farming is carried out successfully by the fisher folk SHGs. The beneficiaries are from the nearby areas of the backwaters because the accessibility is one of the important factors for the successful implementation. Ten units of model Green Mussel and Edible Oyster Culture have been developed for the livelihood security of these fishermen families.
Solar Tent Dryers
Even though dry fish is available in the market, all are dried in the unhygienic conditions ie, sun drying in the beaches. The hygienic drying in Solar Tent itself is the punch line for marketing the dry fishes. This is a method by which the sun’s heat is converged and utilized for drying. Converging of solar heat can be effected by using a black surface which absorbs heat far more effectively than a light coloured one. Solar tent driers and cabinet driers work on this principle. The advantage over other drying method is this technique requires limited time for drying, ensure the quality of the product and these products have good demand in markets. The solar unit is constructed using Iron angle, GI pipes, polythene transparent sheet, stainless steel trays, etc. The major innovation in this component is the lesser time required for drying when compared to sun drying. This will increase the productivity and therefore enhanced the income of the beneficiary families.
Value Added Fish Production Units
Value added products out of fish are of high demand in the market at all times. Utilizing this opportunity, KIDS associated with Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT) and provided training to the women SHG units of fisherfolk community on value added fish production. Financial support through bank linkages was also provided to the eligible units for starting new enterprises in this sector. The locally available cost effective fishery resources are made use for the value addition. The products are sold out in the domestic market through the SHGs marketing division GAYA facilitated by KIDS. The value addition to the locally available fishery resources, together with packing and marketing in a professional manner has raised the demand and sales of these products, benefiting the poor coastal community involved in it.