Kasaragod Leads Kerala’s Aquaculture Revolution

Recognition for excellence in fisheries

Kasaragod Leads Kerala’s Aquaculture Revolution: Kasaragod has clinched the Kerala Fisheries Department’s Excellence Award 2025 for its remarkable contributions under the Popular Fish Farming Project. This recognition affirms the district’s leadership in promoting sustainable aquaculture and involving local communities in innovative practices.

Driving sustainable aquaculture

Kasaragod’s proactive approach to inland fish production and community-level engagement played a major role in securing the award. The district has demonstrated excellence in implementing aquaculture policies, ensuring both environmental balance and economic development.

Static GK fact: Kerala is among India’s top states in fish production, with over 220 species harvested from its inland and marine waters.

Individual farmers honoured

Two local practitioners from Kasaragod earned individual accolades:

• Ravi P.P., from Padanna, secured second place in the Best Backwater Fish Seed Production Farmer
• Sea Pearl Aquafarm, located in Kumbala, was awarded third place in the Best Innovative Fish Farming

These achievements showcase the power of grassroots entrepreneurship in uplifting the fisheries ecosystem.

Strong local leadership

District Collector K. Inbasekar credited the coordinated efforts of all departments and stakeholders. Special appreciation was extended to Deputy Director of Fisheries K.A. Labib, whose strategic planning and guidance were instrumental in achieving the milestone.

Static GK Tip: India’s fisheries sector contributes around 1.24% to the national GDP and supports over 14 million livelihoods.

Consistent state-level achiever

This is not Kasaragod’s first honour. The district previously won the Matsya Karshaka Award for best performance under the Popular Fisheries Project. In 2023, it bagged the Best BMC Award in the State Biodiversity Awards, strengthening its environmental credentials.

Additionally, Kasaragod District Panchayat BMS was the first in India to officially declare a district tree, flower, and bird, underlining its commitment to biodiversity.

A model for fisheries development

Kasaragod’s success story presents a scalable model for other districts aiming to enhance aquaculture output and sustainability. The balance of innovation, community involvement, and biodiversity protection positions it as a beacon in Kerala’s fisheries roadmap.

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