Kottayam, Wednesday, February 16, 2011: Minister for Fisheries and Registration S Sarma has said that Kerala would be made the export capital of ornamental fishes within five years.

The Legislative Assembly had approved the proposal to set up a branch of Kerala Aqua Ventures International Ltd in US, for promoting export, the Minister said.

He said the country stood at the lowest level of below one per cent in the export of ornamental fishes in international market while Sri Lanka though smaller in size compared with India the export growth was eight per cent. The State is regarded as the export hub of ornamental fishes in the country.

The Minister said the Centre and State Government launched a scheme by which a subsidy of Rs 80, 000 would be given to Kudumbasree units, having five members each, involved in ornamental fish farming. This will ensure a monthly family income of about Rs.7000, he said.

(News agency)