Kottayam: With the annual trawling ban in place, local fish farms are finally seeing a rise in demand. Sales of freshwater species, such as Varaal (Snakehead Murrel) and Tilapia (Cichlid), have surged, especially as the availability of sea fish has declined in local markets.

A fish farmer from Arackal in Andoor, M M Praveen, notes a shift in customer preferences. “Many now prefer locally farmed fish over those transported from other states, mainly due to concerns about chemical use in the latter. Some even come directly to the farm to buy fresh fish," he said.

Despite the growing interest, farmers say they face a major hurdle, marketing their produce. Fisheries clubs, established by the Department of Fisheries in nearly every panchayat to support fish farmers, have become largely inactive. These clubs were envisioned to function like dairy cooperatives, offering subsidies, pooling resources, and ensuring collective benefits. But most have failed to stay active or effective.

At panchayat-level meetings held to revive these clubs, farmers voiced frustration. Chief among their concerns is their inability to sell their entire harvest, despite investing lakhs in cultivation. While inland fish farming has expanded significantly, the marketing infrastructure hasn’t kept pace.

According to Fisheries Department estimates, fish farming now spans around 25 hectares across Marangattupilly, Uzhavoor, Kadaplamattom, Kanakari, and Kuravilangad panchayats, with more than 600 active fish farmers. Additionally, hundreds of farms operate independently without government aid.

To support these farmers, the Department provides subsidies and technical guidance through schemes such as Janakeeya Matsyakrishi, Subhiksha Keralam, and the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana. Farmers also receive training and support from block-level coordinators. But despite these efforts, the lack of a robust marketing network remains the biggest challenge.

To address this, the Department had previously proposed setting up live fish markets in partnership with panchayats. The initiative, however, failed to take off. Local bodies were expected to provide land and build wastewater treatment systems, requirements that many found difficult to meet.

Now, with fish vendors facing a supply crunch due to the trawling ban, experts say it's time for the Department to step in. By connecting vendors with local farmers, authorities could ensure a steady supply of fresh fish in the market while helping farmers secure buyers for their harvest.

Such a move could create a win-win situation: vendors stay stocked, and farmers finally gain the market access they desperately need.