Telangana’s maiden Murrel cluster proposed in Mancherial shifted to Karimnagar?

A proposed murrel production and processing cluster and Centre of Excellence at Yellampalli in Mancherial district have reportedly been shifted to Lower Manair Dam in Karimnagar. Officials said they lacked clarity on the cluster’s relocation but confirmed the CoE would be established at LMD

Mancherial: A first-of-its-kind snakehead (murrel), locally known as Korrameenu, production and processing cluster and a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for murrel, proposed at the Sripada Sagar Yellampalli irrigation project, have reportedly been shifted to Lower Manair Dam (LMD) in Karimnagar district, leaving fishermen in Mancherial disappointed.

The Department of Fisheries and Animal Husbandry and Dairying is promoting the integrated development of fisheries and aquaculture through 34 production and processing clusters across various sub-sectors under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), including in Telangana. Accordingly, a murrel cluster was notified in Mancherial district. A project to establish the CoE in the district was also approved.

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The pioneering murrel production and processing cluster and the CoE were proposed at the Sripada Sagar Yellampalli project near Gudipet village in Hajipur mandal at an estimated cost of Rs 15 crore in 2024. Officials identified 68 acres of land for the cluster and CoE. However, the two facilities failed to take off even after two years.

It is learnt that the cluster and CoE have been shifted to LMD in Karimnagar for undisclosed reasons. An order to this effect was reportedly issued by the government. Fisheries officials, however, said they had no clarity on whether the cluster had been relocated. They said details of the land identified for the two projects were submitted in July. They confirmed that the CoE would be established at LMD.

Objectives, socio-economic impact of murrel cluster

The cluster was conceived to transform Telangana into India’s murrel hub through integrated, sustainable and profitable aquaculture practices. It was expected to help meet the growing demand for the fish species, known for its nutritional and medicinal value.

The objectives included quality seed production, scientific murrel culture, broodstock development, aquatic health management, value addition, post-harvest infrastructure and market linkages. The project was also proposed to promote high-value freshwater aquaculture and strengthen livelihood opportunities for fishermen across the State.

The initiative was aimed at supporting fish farmers, cooperatives, FFPOs, SHGs and entrepreneurs by enhancing productivity and profitability while promoting sustainable aquaculture practices. It was envisaged that the cluster would contribute to nutritional security, rural employment and the growth of resilient inland fisheries in Telangana by unlocking the commercial potential of murrel farming.