Outreach programmes

Diversification of aquaculture practices in the State of Kerala will help to increase the fish production besides providing employment opportunities to the fisherfolk and fish farmers. Adopting the villages and promoting diversified aquaculture and allied activities in an eco-friendly and sustainable manner will also help to bring more inland water areas under cultivation.

1. To conduct field level trial culture cum demonstration programmes so as to standardize the aquaculture technologies, make it location specific in nature and to develop a package of practices in aquaculture and allied sectors
2. To augment the fish production of the Kerala State by transferring diversified aquaculture practices and allied activities, providing necessary support to the fisherfolk and fish farmers by distributing necessary inputs, thus providing gainful employment to them.

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The concept of this programme is to develop entrepreneurship among the students undergoing various courses in the University. Aquaculture and allied subjects dominate in their curriculum and a thorough field exposure is required to properly understand the subject. A hands-on exposure will prepare them as capable professional and turn them to job creators than job seekers. This programme apart from giving practical exposure will enable them to be self sufficient, confident and efficient managers and helps in generating income. The physical infrastructure and technical expertise available in the University can effectively be utilized for this purpose.

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Dissemination of relevant information on various technologies and other activities in the field of fisheries and allied sectors will contribute to the overall development of the fisheries sector. In addition to this, value based cultural programmes, leadership and personality development programmes etc. can be organized with the participation of the community which can be recorded and broadcasted/telecasted later on for the benefit of the entire community. The programmes organized by KUFOS as part of the various projects can also be recorded and broadcasted/telecasted.

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Fisherfolk engaged in fishing activities both in the inland sector as well as in the marine fisheries sector require timely information while carrying out their fishing operations. Similarly, innovations in the aquaculture and allied sectors have to be transferred in an effective manner to the target group. The dwindling catches in the marine sector indicate the necessity of creating awareness about responsible fisheries among the fisherfolk to avoid over-exploitation and conserve the fishery resources for the future generation . In the above scenario, establishment of a Fisheries Technical Portal and Knowledge Centre at KUFOS acts as a single window in disseminating all the relevant information and technologies in the field of fisheries to the fisherfolk and fish farmers. It is transferred through publications, conducting awareness and training programmes etc.

Lack of knowledge about the improved practices in aquaculture and allied sectors is one of the major constraint in the adoption better management practices so as to increase the fish production of the State and ensuring better quality product for export. Creating awareness on various aquaculture practices among local population and students will helps to adopt the improved practices in aquaculture and allied activities in a sustainable and ecofriendly manner which will help in increasing the fish production,creating more employment opportunities and ensuring nutritional and livelihood security to them.

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Conducting/ participating in exhibitions is an important means of transfer of technology. Aqua clinics arranging along with various exhibitions provides an opportunity for the fisherfolk and fish farmers to contact the Subject Matter Specialists to clear up their doubts and also in solving their problems. Activities and achievements of KUFOS in teaching, research and extension can also be disseminated to the students and public.

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Taking in to account the need for creating a single window system for providing fisheries sector data and the growing demand for consultancy for data analysis in fisheries and allied sector, KUFOS has launched a Centre for Filed Consultancy and Data Analysis during 2012-13.The centre is also proposed to document, analyze and publish data relating fisheries and allied sectors. The project is emphasized for collecting data from primary and secondary sources and analyze the same for getting meaningful information. Providing consultancy service on data analysis and interpretation is also envisioned.

Cage culture is considered as one of the most dependable protein based food production systems for the future. The current project envisages the establishment of three cage culture systems for fish production and giving hands on training to the potential stakeholders of three geographical zones of Kerala viz. Southern Kerala, Central Kerala and Northern Kerala for further expanding the concept.

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KUFOS has a museum of aquatic animals inaugurated in the year 2016. The AGK Menon Memmorial Museum of Aquatic Animals houses a rich collection of finfish and shellfish specimens from marine and inland waters of India which are on display and attracting school and college students , researchers and the general public. Ornamental fish culture and aquarium keeping has assumed considerable significance as an international hobby and proved to be lucrative in the global trade scenario. KUFOs has focused on popularizing and developing entrepreneurship in ornamental fish culture and conducting training cum demonstration programmes on ornamental fish culture with a view to enabling them in starting small scale units which would help in providing gainful employment to the people in addition to export earnings.

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Aquaculture is a field oriented subject, necessitating adequate filed training facility for imparting hands on training to the students. The students need to be familiarized with all aspects of aquaculture in the freshwater as well as brackish fish farming. The University has enough ponds in the campus.Over the last few years, however, modernization of the instructional field facility is in operation by utilizing the plan fund allocation.

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Preparation of value added fishery by products play an important role in providing gainful employment to the fisher folk and fish farmers especially in coastal areas. These products has to be prepared under hygienic handling conditions to ensure better quality product both for domestic and export market.

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I.A Study on the problems and prospects of modern fish markets in Kerala
Fisheries sector plays an important role in the Indian economy by way of contributing to the national income, employment and foreign exchange. Marketing plays a major role in promoting the production of any commodity. The production of food products like fish, vegetables, fruits, etc. which is perishable in nature depends entirely on an efficient marketing system. Fish and fishery products are exported to more than 52 countries.
II. Measurement of inequality adjusted human development index for marine fisherfolk in Kerala
The Human Development Index (HDI) is a summary measure of average achievement in key dimensions of human development: a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable and have a decent standard of living. The standard of living dimension is measured by gross national income per capita. Fisherfolk in Kerala is belonging to poor society. Low productivity, low income, limited education, skill and knowledge and also weak capital is a problem that causing fisherfolk poverty. Lack of access and assets of fisherfolk cause their decreased welfare. Internal limitation of fisherfolk and external factors like exploitative fish trade networks for fisherfolk as producers cause fisheries poverty. HDI is an important alternative to measured development, which include the welfare aspect too. There were several researches about fisheries production and not on fisherman welfare. The present study addresses this issue.

Massive Online Open Course (MOOC) is a web-based self-paced distance learning program designed for large number of geographically dispersed students. It may be patterned on a college/ University course or be less structured. These offer certifications and academic credits. It also enhances the employment opportunities or further studies. MOOCs are used for higher education and career advancement. MOOCs are accessed through internet.

MOOC includes a course provider and a course platform. KUFOS is the course provides and NPTEL-Swayam platform will provide the technological infrastructure for course modules, user access and other learning resources.

The courses of general public interest could also be made available free that does not carry University credit.

KUFOS Center for e-Learning intend to provide online courses on Fisheries and Ocean Studies, and allied subjects for general public and professionals. It will offer technical information and technological advice online in relevant areas. This avenue will also share knowledge and training.

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Imparting training to the fisherfolk and fish farmers is an important means for
increasing the level of knowledge and rate of adoption of better management practices which, in turn, will help to augment fish production of the State, increasing the income of the farmers, creating more employment opportunities to them and improving the quality of the product for export etc . If such training programmes are residential in nature, it would result in the efficient utilization of time in a day. As part of the transfer of technology process, KUFOS is conducting various training programmes on aquaculture, harvest and post – harvest technologies under the various extension plan projects. Farmers from all over the State of Kerala attending these programmes. While organizing these training programmes providing accommodation in the University campus acts as a major constraint which could be overcome by establishing a Farmers Training Centre having all facilities. University has taken necessary steps for the construction of a Farmer’s Training Centre

Karimeen, Etroplus suratensis, is well known for its importance in inland fishery and contribution to tourism sector. The unique culinary dishes are well accepted and in demand throughtout the year. However, the karimeen fishery from the backwaters are in the verge of collapse due to environment degradation and destructive fishing practices. Enhancement of production can only be achieved by conserving the resources and increasing the aquaculture production. A viable mass seed production and nursery rearing technology is now developed at KUFOS. So through proper technological intervention the status of Karimeen aquaculture can be revived. This will generate viable employment opportunities at various strata like seed production, nursery rearing for production of fingerlings, cage/pond culture, value addition, and marketing. Kumbalam Panchayath is selected as it is surrounded by Vembanad Lake with suitable water and land area; and it is the village where the KUFOS head quarters and associated facilities were available for tactical support. The local conservation efforts can be properly monitored as University has access to the Vembanad Lake and will be done with community participation.

Introduction of mechanization in the marine fisheries sector revolutionized the fish production scenario of the Kerala State and helped in increasing the fish production of the State, development of allied industries, leading to more employment opportunities to the fisherfolk and contributed significantly to their socio economic development. But these developments adversely affected the traditional fisherfolk of which the status of the women was worst compared to men. Industry became capital intensive and poor womenfolk were displaced from many of their traditional engagements . Drudgery, occupational health hazards, lack of land ownership and wage differentials, etc are some of the crucial gender issues in this sector. In the present scenario the empowerment of women both in the marine and inland fisheries sector is inevitable so as to ensure gender equality is all aspects of life which could be achieved only by addressing the gender issues in the field level and formulating adequate plans and measurers to overcome such issues. Establishing a Center for Studies on Gender Concerns in Fisheries and Entrepreneurship Development at KUFOS will help in achieving the above objects to a great extent.

At present the Directorate of Extension is implementing 15 extension projects. For the effective implementation of these projects it is necessary to strengthen the Directorate of Extension with adequate man power and requires other facilities

Training Programmes conducted under Directorate of Extension