Archive · 7 Jan 2026
Centre Calls for Study Before Pokkali Farming Policy Shift
The central government wants to study the effects of changing how Pokkali fields in Kerala are farmed.
Right now, farmers grow rice during the monsoon and fish during the rest of the year.
Some farmers want to farm fish all year round to make more money.
But the government says they need to study if this is good for the environment and the people who depend on these fields.
They might start a small test project on 50 acres to see what happens.
The minister also visited a research center and talked about new ways to help farmers and the environment.
Centre calls for a comprehensive study before considering year-round fish farming in Pokkali fields.
Current practice involves seasonal paddy cultivation followed by fish farming.
Farmers seek permission for year-round fish farming to improve returns.
Minister emphasizes the need for scientific and socio-economic assessments.
CMFRI proposes a 50-acre pilot project to gather evidence for policy decisions.
- Who
- Union Minister Ramnath Thakur, farmers, CMFRI
- What
- Call for a comprehensive study before changing Pokkali farming policy
- When
- During the minister's visit to Pokkali fields and CMFRI
- Where
- Pokkali fields and CMFRI, Kerala
- Why
- To evaluate the sustainability and socio-economic impacts of year-round fish farming
- Location
- Pokkali fields, Kerala
- Current Practice
- Paddy cultivation (June-October), fish farming (November-April)
- Proposed Change
- Year-round integrated paddy-fish farming
- Key Stakeholder
- Union Minister Ramnath Thakur
- Research Institute
- CMFRI (Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute)
- Proposed Study
- Scientific and socio-economic assessment
- Pilot Project
- 50 acres of Pokkali fields
