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VISIT TO ELAPPULLY VILLAGE, PALAKKAD: A NEEDS ASSESSMENT FOR INLAND FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT

24^th October, 2024
In connection with the meeting held with Shri. George Kurien, Honourable Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Minority Affairs, a team from ICAR-CIFRI Kochi Centre visited the Elappully village in Palakkad on 24th October 2024 to survey the suitability of inland water bodies for inland fisheries development in the village. Elappully village is located in the Palakkad district of Kerala and is blessed with inland aquatic resources like ponds, quarries, and wetlands. This Panchayat received the National Water Award in 2022 as the third-best civic body in South India for its water conservation and management.

A stakeholder meeting was held at the Gandhi Ashram, Elappully village, Palakkad. The group discussion was led by Shri. Pudussery Srinivasan, Director of Sarvodayakendram. Dr. N. Shudhodanan, Patron of the Gandhi Ashram Working Group, Dr. Peethamabaran, Dr. Suresh Babu, and Mr. Jose Mathews, members of the Farm Care Foundation, and Shri. Girish Babu K., Elappully Grama Panchayat Member, shared their views. The meeting highlighted the need for the utilization of unused ponds and renovation of neglected ponds for fish culture interventions, emphasized the importance of the availability of good quality fish seeds and cost-effective feed, and discussed the possibilities for developing a fish hatchery, fish feed unit, and an ornamental fisheries program. They also requested training on fish farming and personnel training in water quality testing. In addition, they highlighted the need for women empowerment programs like marketing, producing auxiliary fish products, etc., and the necessity to improve the livelihood of the villagers in these areas. The tourism opportunities in these water bodies were also discussed. A meeting was held with the Panchayat President Mrs. Revathi Babu and the Secretary Mr. Sunil, at the Grama Panchayat office. The present status of ponds with waste dumping and derelict conditions of wetlands were the major concerns expressed. The need for a bio-composting unit for fish waste disposal was also highlighted.

The CIFRI team did a field visit to a few private ponds, public ponds, and quarries. Fish farming is done in a few private and temple ponds with Indian Major Carps, common carp, and tilapia. The yield is less due to issues in seed quality, low growth rate, and unscientific culture practice.
Scientific interventions with CIFRI technologies can help the development of inland fisheries in Elappully village. Prioritizing women's involvement, and attracting youth into the venture can help to strengthen the capacity and resilience of the village and pave the way to a better livelihood. Under the guidance of Dr. B. K. Das, Director of ICAR-CIFRI, and support from Dr. Preetha Panikkar, HoRC, ICAR-CIFRI Bangalore Centre, the visit to Elappully village was done by Dr. Deepa Sudheesan (Senior Scientist), Mrs. Tanuja Abdulla (Scientist) and Mr. P. V. Shajil (Technician).