State-of-the-art fisheries processing cluster coming up in Karaikal

Karaikal, an enclave of the Union Territory of Puducherry, will soon have its first-of-its kind state-of-the-art fisheries processing cluster. It is one of the 34 fisheries production and processing clusters approved across the country under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).

Official sources said the Union government had sanctioned the cluster for Karaikal and a tender would soon be floated. The total project cost is ₹348.89 crore, including ₹298.34 crore in Central grant.

The Union government has notified the Thengaithittu fishing harbour in Puducherry as a partnering harbour for the Karaikal fishing harbour. The decision is aimed at augmenting the socio-economic development of the fisher community in the Union Territory. By having two major fishing harbours in the proposed cluster, Puducherry’s entire fisheries economy is expected to gain immense benefits, an official said.

The cluster-based approach will increase the competitiveness of fisheries, facilitate economies of scale, generate higher incomes, and accelerate the growth and expansion of fisheries and aquaculture in an organised manner.

According to D. Manikandan, Secretary, Fisheries, “The initiative is aimed at transforming the selected regions into integrated fisheries clusters with strong backward and forward linkages. The inclusion of Puducherry’s fishing harbour in this initiative will lead to modernisation of fisheries infrastructure, development of value-added facilities, and greater market access for marine and inland fish products from the Union Territory.”

He added, “The initiative is expected to bring wide-ranging benefits to Puducherry’s fisherfolk, including enhanced income opportunities through better handling, processing, and marketing systems. With the establishment of integrated value chain infrastructure, such as cold chains, ice plants, processing units, and transport logistics, the fishers of Puducherry will gain access to larger markets… In addition, the cluster will help in employment generation, skill development, and entrepreneurship among coastal communities, especially youth and women.”

The development of the cluster will be further reinforced by the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samrudhi-Sah Yojana (PM-MKSSY) in the Union Territory. Under this scheme, 15 Primary Fisheries Cooperative Societies (PFCS) in Puducherry will be supported by the Pondicherry State Fishermen Cooperative Federation Limited (PSFCFL) with mentorship, financial assistance of ₹2 lakh per PFCS, and support for business-planning and capacity-building. The convergence of both initiatives is poised to make Puducherry a model for sustainable co-operative-led fisheries development.

According to an official, the National Fisheries Development Board will be the nodal agency for overall coordination and implementation.