Matsyafed

Matsyafed, the Kerala State Co-operative Federation for Fisheries Development Ltd., is the Apex Federation of 654 Primary Fisherman Co-operative Societies spread over 10 districts of Kerala, South India

There are 340 co-operative societies in the Marine sector, 183 in the Inland sector and 131 Women Co-operatives. The Federation came into existence in 1984. The Federation has a District Office in each of the maritime districts and one in the Inland district each headed by a District Manager. The District Manager with a team of supporting staff Co- ordinate and supervise all the activities in the district. The administration and management of Matsyafed is vested with a Board of Directors having 19 members of who, 1 are elected from the Primary Co-operatives, 5 official members and 3 non-officials members nominated by the Government. The Chief Executive is the Managing Director.

Matsyafed is engaged in the implementation of multifaceted activities for the welfare development of the fisherman community as detailed below:

Production oriented activities: Through the integrated fisheries development project Matsyafed has been involved in the process of supplying quality fishing inputs to the traditional fishermen of marine and inland sectors at subsidized rates. To avoid exploitation of fishermen and to ensure better price to the fish landed, beach level auctions of the fish are conducted by the primary co-operatives societies of Matsyafed.

Welfare activities: Eight Vanitha (Malayalam: Woman) Buses are operated for transporting fisherman vendors to various routes. The fishermen are covered under the personal accident Insurance scheme for a nominal premium wherein the dependents of those who die in accidents are paid Rs. 1,50 lakhs and for partial disablement Rs. 0.50 lakhs is paid. Community peeling centres are being run in spite of loss to the Federation as an employment opportunity unit for fishermen. Matsyafed has set up 200 small-scale production units of ornamental fishery benefiting 600 fishermen.

Employment generation: Matsyafed has been implementing schemes with the assistance of the National Backward classes finance and Development Corporation since 1995-96 and National Minorities development and Finance Corporation since 1997-98 to provide alternate and diversified employment avenues for the unemployed youth.

Commercial activities: Matsyafed is spearheading many activities by operating nylon net factories, ice and freezing plant, Diesel bunks, Fish Manure plants, Chitosan Plant, Vyasa stores, OBM service centres etc. To ensure timely service to the fishermen at moderate cost, the OBM workshops are set up. The Net Factory ensures the supply of quality fishing nets at moderate cost; timely supply of fishing inputs and accessories are ensured by the Vyasa Stores.

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