In August 2025, Union Minister of State (MoS) George Kurian, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying (MoFAH&D), Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA), launched “Matsya Shakti” project for a period of one year, in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, with an aim to empower minority fisherman communities.
- The project is implemented under the Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) scheme.
Exam Hints:
- What? Launch of Project Matsya Shakti
- Who? Union MoS George Kurian, MoFAH&D, MoMA
- Purpose: To empower minority fisherman communities
- Duration: One year
- Under: PM VIKAS Scheme
- MoU entities: MoMA and ICAR-CMFRI
Project Matsya Shakti:
Implementation: During the event, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between MoMA and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research- Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI) to implement the scheme through its Vizhinjam Regional Centre, Vizhinjam (Kerala).
Training: The project is a multi-phased one year training programme, focusing on training 690 candidates from the minority communities, to equip and enhance domain knowledge and entrepreneurial capabilities.
Skill Development:Out of the 690 candidates, 270 will be trained in non-traditional fisheries-based skills, including 90 in Fish Hatchery Production and 180 in Basics of Cage Culture Fish Farming.
- Additionally, 420 women will undergo leadership and entrepreneurship development programmes, enabling them to establish and manage their own enterprises.
- Every candidate will receive stipends during the training programme
Support: The candidates will receive assistance to launch businesses and function as consultants in the fisheries sector, following the completion of the training programme.
About Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) scheme:
Launches: The PM-VIKAS, launched in 2022, launched in 2022 by the MoMA, is a Central Sector Scheme (CSS) aimed at ensuring the holistic development and socio-economic upliftment of minority communities.
Integration of Schemes: It integrates five earlier standalone schemes: Seekho Aur Kamao (Skill Development), Nai Manzil (Education and Livelihood), Nai Roshni (Leadership Training for Women), USTTAD (Upgrading Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development), and Hamari Dharohar (Preservation of Cultural Heritage).
About Indian Council of Agricultural Research- Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI)
Its functions include Marine fisheries assessment, Mariculture Development, Marine Biodiversity Conservation, Climate Change & Ocean Ecosystems, Socio-Economic studies, and Capacity Building and Training.
Director – Dr. Grinson George
Headquarters – Kochi (Kerala)
Established – 1947
About Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA):
Union Minister – Kiren Rijiju (Constituency- Arunachal West, Arunachal Pradesh, AR)
Minister of State (MoS) – George Kurian (Rajya Sabha – Madhya Pradesh, MP)
