CMFRI Guides & Helps Women Farmers to Reap Bumper Harvest of Green Mussels

Under the supervision of the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), women farmers in Moothakunnam and Chettuva harvested a bountiful harvest of green mussels. Kudumbashree, Kerala's poverty eradication and women empowerment programme, harvested 1.5 tonnes of mussels from Moothakunnam in Ernakulam district and 350 kg from Chettuva in Thrissur.

They began farming in mussel farms (racks) made of bamboo poles in December of last year. Following harvest, the produce underwent depuration, a scientific process developed by the CMFRI that expels contaminants from the gills and guts of mussels by providing them with well-purified seawater before they are consumed.

The farms' depurated mussel meat is available for purchase at the CMFRI. It costs $200 for a 250-gm packet from the Agriculture Technology Information Centre (ATIC).

Mussels contain a high concentration of protein, lipids, carbohydrates, minerals (calcium, iron, copper, zinc, and phosphorus), and vitamins.

Are Green Mussels Good for You?

In addition to anti-inflammatory nutrients, mussels are high in zinc and a good source of iron, selenium, and several B vitamins. Anti-inflammatory nutrients found in green-lipped mussels include omega-3 fatty acids and chondroitin sulphate.

Recently, in collaboration with the flagship programmes Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Swayampurna Goa, the Goa-based National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) has set up a tech demo of green mussel culture on a floating raft at Verem.

The green mussel culture tech demo was recently inaugurated by Parimal Rai, chief secretary, in the presence of NIO director Sunil Kumar Singh and other scientists.

The skill training programme is expected to increase employment opportunities for coastal rural stakeholders, particularly residents of Reis-Magos.

In line with the government of India's 'Skilled India' mission, the council of scientific and industrial research (CSIR) under the department of scientific and industrial research has been implementing a programme called the 'CSIR integrated skill initiative.' The tech demonstration was organized to aid in these efforts.