MatsyaFed can become national co-op model like Amul: Kurien Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying George Kurian highlighted the potential for Kerala’s MatsyaFed to evolve into a national cooperative institution akin to the Amul dairy model, provided the state government submits a formal proposal. Kurian made the remarks during the inauguration of a workshop under the Matsya Shakti project at the ICAR–Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) in Vizhinjam, near Thiruvananthapuram. The event was organized as part of the PM VIKAS scheme, which aims to strengthen livelihoods in the fisheries sector through skill development, entrepreneurship, and institutional support. Kurian emphasized the role of cooperatives in transforming rural and sectoral economies, stating that the central government would provide financial and technical assistance to scale up MatsyaFed into a nationwide cooperative framework if a comprehensive development plan is proposed. He stressed the importance of collaboration between the Centre and states for sustainable growth in fisheries, noting that cooperative structures can enhance market access, strengthen value chains, and ensure fair returns for fishermen. The Matsya Shakti initiative, implemented under the Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) scheme, focuses on empowering fishing communities, particularly minority groups, through training and entrepreneurship opportunities. Around 690 beneficiaries are expected to receive training in fisheries-related activities, including hatchery production, cage culture fish farming, aquaculture management, and modern techniques to boost productivity and income in coastal areas. Training modules are designed to equip participants with technical and entrepreneurial skills.#matsyafed #george_kurien #amul #pm_vikas #cmfri
