Ornamental fish business flourishing in Kerala post Covid! , Loktej business, out of the way, Regional News

Ornamental fish business flourishing in Kerala post Covid!  ,  Loktej business, out of the way, Regional News


Kochi – The ornamental fish sector in Kerala is reviving thanks to the efforts of Kerala Aqua Ventures International Limited (KAVIL), a Government of Kerala undertaking. The sector suffered huge losses during the Covid pandemic, but KAVIL’s initiatives, such as buyer-seller meets, startup training and effective marketing strategies, have helped hundreds of families maintain their livelihood and improve their income.

The buyer-seller meeting held every Monday has resulted in a business of Rs 72 lakh. The event has been instrumental in streamlining market access and connecting wholesale traders across the country with the ornamental fish farmers of the state.

Saju, Managing Director, MS Kavil and Joint Director, Fisheries Department, said that the buyer-seller meet has become a game-changer in the sector. The platform is becoming increasingly popular among farmers and traders, with transactions increasing in recent months. Saju said, “We are taking measures to attract wholesale giants in the industry to Kavil through this platform, aiming to achieve a turnover of Rs five crore annually by 2025 and make the state the hub of ornamental fisheries in the country. “

The ornamental fishes of Kerala are known for their quality and diversity, with popular species including koi carp, oscars, angelfish, cichlids, tetras and morphs in various colours.

Dr. Mini Shekharan, Marketing Advisor to Kavil and Associate Professor in the School of Industrial Fisheries at Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) highlighted that large scale production for consistent supply and proper marketing strategies in domestic and international markets is lacking. The development of a highly potential industry in Kerala has been hindered in the past. Shekharan said, “India is a country with huge domestic market potential, which can be well explored with better production and marketing.”



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