Mangaluru: In an effort to provide fresh fish consumers at their door, and lift the fisherman community, the fisheries department has decided to introduce e-vehicles with cold storage facilities and solar panels, for sending fish to the door.
This might be the first initiative introduced by the department, that this electric vehicle will be given to the vendor, the Minister of Fisheries, Ports and Land Transportation.
He told Tii that under the ‘fresh fish to the house’ program from Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, an electric vehicle will be distributed to beneficiaries in the next 15 days.
The department has ordered Rs 4 Crore for the project.
The cost of each vehicle is around Rs 8 Lakh, and is equipped with solar panels and cold storage facilities.
This is an effort to produce entrepreneurs, and provide consumer quality fish.
In the first phase, the plan to distribute this unique electronic vehicle at all Taluks of Dakshina Kannada District.
We plan to get more vehicles in the next financial year.
The formal launch will be announced after consulting the Chairman of the Bakavaraj Bommai Minister, Angara said.
Vehicles will be equipped with solar panels, freezers, lithium swappable batteries, speakers and GPRS, and connect to the fisheries department application to receive orders.
The beneficiaries for purchasing vehicles will be selected by the Fisheries Department, and priorities will be given to women.
At present, there are several programs launched for the fishing community, including Matsya Ashraya Yojane, Matsya Mahila Swalambana Yojane, and the Matsya Vahini scheme, among others.
If we enter the concept of ‘fresh fish to the house’ for fishermen who sell fish on the streets in coastal areas, they can get more profits.
The sales volume will increase at least 10 times.
In general, women who sell fish are only found in coastal areas.
If we promote and encourage more beneficiaries, and strengthen the transportation system, so fresh fish achieve goals quickly, then the number of entrepreneurs selling fish can increase by 40% in the state, “said an official who worked closely on the project.
Team officials Including Ramacharya, Director, Fisheries, Malikharjun, Special Officers in charge of Minister of Fisheries and Arun Dhanapal work closely on the project.