The plan of the state government is to produce 12.5 crore fish fingerlings per year to meet the demand of fish farmers in the state, Fisheries minister J Mercykkuttiyamma. At present the fish fingerling productivity in the state is 5 crore per year, she said while inaugurating the fish hatchery at Kallanod in the district, on Sunday. The minister also assured support to convert the hatchery and premises to a tourism destination with the support of tourism department. Koorachundu being a destination for domestic tourists is expected to benefit with the operation of fish hatchery. The fish hatchery is located at Kallanod in Koorachundu grama panchayat. The hatchery comprises of four vertical pond units and have the capacity to produce 50 lakh fish fingerlings per year. The hatchery will produce good quality fish fingerlings which will supplied to fish farmers from north Kerala, said an official with Koorachundu gram panchayat. The main problem faced by fish farmers in the regions is the difficulty to access quality fingerlings, he said. “We are hatching mrigal, rohu and catla fishes in the initial phase,” said Vincy Thomas, president of Koorachundu grama panchayat. More varieties and ornamental fish in the coming phases, she said. The mega fish hatchery project was completed by spending Rs 4 crore. The fish fingerling production and related activities are now being carried out under the direct monitoring of harbour engineering department. Fresh water fish farmers in the district are likely to benefit from the project. The farmers from Kozhikode and nearby districts can now access high quality fish fingerlings from the farm. The panchayat authorities hope to offer job to over 25 persons from scheduled caste. Four fish farmers were distributed fish fingerlings. The panchyat authorities hopes to attract more fish farmers in the coming days. MLA Purushan Kadalundy presided over the inaugural session. MP MK Raghavan was the chief guest on the occasion.