Union Minister George Kurian Inaugurates ‘Blue Pearl’ Fish Farmer Producer Company to Boost Fisheries Sector

In a significant boost for India's fisheries sector, Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, Dairying, and Minority Affairs, George Kurian, inaugurated the Blue Pearl Fish Farmer Producer Company (FFPO) at the Municipal Town Hall in Kodungallur. Supported by NABARD and in collaboration with ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (ICAR-CIFT), this initiative aims to uplift cage farmers and other industry stakeholders, offering them enhanced income opportunities and sector growth.

During his speech, Kurian praised the fisheries sector as a "sunrise sector" with rapid growth potential, highlighting the establishment of the FFPO as a pivotal step in supporting local fish farmers. He discussed government schemes designed to strengthen fisheries while unveiling the FFPO logo and presenting share certificates to the Blue Pearl FFPO shareholders.

Adv. VS Dhinil, Vice-Chairman of Kodungallur Municipality, presided over the event, which also featured a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signing between ICAR-CIFT and seven Fish Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs) from Kerala and Andhra Pradesh for ongoing technical support.

The inauguration included training sessions on fish value addition, a demonstration for technical guidance, a mini-expo, and an entrepreneurs' meet to further empower participants in the sector.