Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
Union Fisheries Secretary Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi Reviews ICAR-CIFT Functioning in Kochi
Roadmap Sought for Strengthening Fish Tech for Post-Harvest Fisheries Management
Posted On: 20 SEP 2025 1:28PM by PIB Delhi
PIB Thiruvananthpuram
Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Union Secretary, Department of Fisheries, MoFAH&D, GoI visited Kochi, Kerala to review the functioning of ICAR – Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT) on 19th September 2025. Senior Officers from States/UTs, Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), fisheries Startups, Seafood exporters and other fisheries stakeholders participated in hybrid mode.
Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi emphasised upon the need to bridge gaps in fish processing and value addition through the adoption of modern technologies. He urged ICAR-CIFT and other stakeholders to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for strengthening post-harvest management and enhancing the fisheries value chain.
Shri Sagar Mehra, Joint Secretary (Inland Fisheries), Department of Fisheries, delivered a presentation on “Fish Tech for Post-Harvest Management and Value Addition,” stressing upon the need to diversify fish products and adopt modern value addition techniques to unlock market opportunities and boost sectoral growth. He highlighted that effective post-harvest management, supported by strong R&D from ICAR institutions, can reduce losses and enhance fishers’ incomes, thereby building a resilient and competitive fisheries value chain.
Dr. Likhi also visited the Kochi Fishing Harbour at Thoppumpady today on 20th September 2025 to review the development and progress made so far and interacted with fishermen where they highlighted the major species landed, including tuna, shrimp, squid, and others. He also engaged with fishermen on board and vessel operators to understand their challenges and the functioning of transponders. The Union Secretary urged the port authority officials to ensure timely completion of the ongoing Fishing Harbour project sanctioned under PMMSY.
About Kochi Port
The Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has in March 2022 accorded approval to the proposal of Cochin Port Trust for modernization and up-gradation of Cochin Fishing Harbour at Thoppumpady in Kerala at a total cost of Rs. 169.17 crores with Central financial assistance restricted to Rs. 100 crores under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) in a convergence with the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways under Sagarmala.
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(Release ID: 2168878)
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