Fishermen in Mandya told to market fresh fish under ‘KRS Fishes’ brand

Branding could boost income by up to 30%, says ZP CEO; proposes setting up 3 to 4 live fish vending centres, importing fish from Mangaluru and Udupi

Deputy Commissioner Kumar stated on Thursday that there are more than 45,000 fishermen in the district and emphasised the need to provide them with specialised training in fish farming skills to improve their economic condition.

Dr. Kumar was presiding over the district-level committee meeting of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) for 2025-26, organised by the Department of Fisheries in Mandya.

The DC informed that the district has 177 tanks under the Fisheries Department and 688 tanks under gram panchayats, totalling 865 tanks, in addition to 26 river stretches where fish farming is being practised. During 2024-25, around 383 lakh fish seedlings were released, resulting in the production of 30.579 tonnes of fish.

Mandya district currently has 47 fishermen cooperative societies. The DC directed officials to ensure that all fishermen receive proper training. Over the past five years, 742 beneficiaries have availed themselves of PMMSY benefits, and 150 beneficiaries have so far received financial assistance amounting to ₹513.38 lakh under the scheme, he added.

Stating that the PMMSY scheme aims at the economic and social empowerment of fishermen, the DC instructed officials to verify whether the beneficiaries were effectively utilising the assistance under the scheme and to promote the formation of more Fishermen Producer Organisations (FPOs).

Local brand

Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer K.R. Nandini suggested setting up more fish kiosks and marketing fresh fish under a local brand, ‘KRS Fishes’, with proper cleaning, cutting, and packaging. Such a move could increase income by up to 30%, she opined.

Ms. Nandini also proposed establishing 3 to 4 live fish vending centres in the district and importing fish from Mangaluru and Udupi. She also stressed that polluted or drainage water should not be allowed to enter fish ponds, tanks, barrages, or reservoirs.

Joint Director of Agriculture Ashok, Deputy Director of Fisheries Baba Saab, Assistant Director of Fisheries Lokesh K.M., Lead Bank Manager Arun Kumar, and several other officials were present.