It will help cage fish farmers and biofloc fish farmers in the SC community to sell their yield without the influence of middlemen
The ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi, Kerala has extended support to Athidhi Achuth, a Trans Person belonging to the Scheduled Caste community from Kerala to turn Entrepreneur in Fisheries. In a bid to support the Trans-Woman to earn a regular income for living, the Institute provided Athidhi Achuth with a Modernized Fish Vending Stall in Kochi City at a cost of around Rs. 5 lakhs under the Government of India’s Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) Scheme.
Launching her Fish Vending Stall on 15th March, 2021, the 36 Year Old Athidhi became the country’s first Trans-Gender Entrepreneur in the fisheries sector. The Institute also provided her with fresh and live fishes for the first sale. Apart from marine captured fishes, live fishes farmed in cage fish farms and biofloc units of the SC & ST beneficiaries also made available in the “Athidhi’s Live & Fresh Fish Mart” at Vennala Market in the city.
By fulfilling the long-cherished dream of Athidhi Achuth, the Institute aims at bringing the Trans-Persons to the Entrepreneurship in the fisheries sector and also helping the cage fish farmers and biofloc fish farmers in the SC community to sell their yield without the influence of middlemen with a broad perspective of supplying safe and quality fresh and live fish to the general public at a nominal price.
The ICAR-CMFRI’s developed Fish Stall is equipped with a deep freezer, fish display table with cooler, billing machine, weighing balance and other facilities for cutting and cleaning the fish along with the facility for maintaining the fish in live and fresh conditions. Apart from direct sale, the home delivery of the cleaned and sealed packets of fishes will be available for the pre-booked customers.
Dr. A. Gopalakrishnan, Director, ICAR-CMFRI, Kochi, Kerala accentuated the Institute focused on Trans-Gender members in the SC community in the second phase of implementing the SCSP Scheme. The Director stressed that the initiative is also a part of the Mission to create opportunities in the fisheries sector for the Trans-Gender community.
