MIMI Fish app: Kerala Govt lets consumers know all about the fish they buy
MIMI Fish app designed to provide consumers with complete access to details of fish they buy
In what may be termed a first in the country, the Fisheries Department under the Kerala government has rolled out a unique mobile app that positions itself as a one-stop shop for all fish buying needs of the state’s population.
Christened MIMI Fish, the mobile app, has been designed to provide consumers with complete access to the details of the fish they want to buy. Consumers can also get their fish home delivered by placing an order through the mobile app or purchase directly from the nearest MIMI kiosk.
According to Kerala’s Fisheries Minister Saji Cheriyan, who launched the mobile app on Friday, “fresh fish and also a variety of other fish-based value-added products can also be accessed by consumers with the help of MIMI Fish app.” The app is part of the MIMI Fish Store, a retail venture of the State Fisheries Department’ that undertakes home delivery of fresh fish and value-added products.
MIMI Fish app offers complete info of fish consumers buy
Among the many features of MIMI Fish is that the consumers can trace all information of the fish they buy, such as its origin, details of fishermen and fisherwomen involved in capture or production, and their locations.
Implemented by Kerala State Coastal Area Development Corporation (KSCADC) jointly with SaTM (Society for Advanced Technologies & Management) as part of the socio-economic initiative ‘Parivarthanam,’ the venture is supported by the Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (ICAR-CIFT).
The Android app, made available on Google Playstore, aids consumers in placing orders for the fish they want from various choices such as marine fish, river fish, prawns, dried fish, shellfish, fish curry, and pickles. The minister said that the app would be updated daily, featuring the ‘the pick of the day with necessary details, including the price.
MIMI Fish would be available in Kollam and Alappuzha district and parts of Pathanamthitta in the initial phase. The project utilizes the processing center, chill room, and other facilities available in the fish market in Kollam.
The state government has assured consumers that the fish sold via MIMI Fish will be free from adulterating agents. The processing of the fish will follow hygienic standards and protocols set by European Union and other advanced countries in processing, preservation, and storage. Fish is chilled immediately upon capture as per the technology developed by CIFT, which matches the European export standards.
Remunerative price for catch for fisherfolk
Significant about the novel venture is that anglers are assured a remunerative price for their catch regardless of the time of landing. This is ensured in accordance with the socio-economic goals of the ‘Parivarthanam’ initiative. The socio-economic initiative has also lined up measures to set up a non-conventional energy center. This center would enable it to popularise cost-saving and pollution-free energy in the fisheries sector in the entire country.
Besides, Parivarthanam (which means ‘Change’) has also charted out measures towards promoting alternate fuels such as CNG and LPG in fishing vessels. Research projects would be set in motion in collaboration with competent agencies in this regard.
Employment generation, a key aspect
Job generation is another main program under Parivarthanam, wherein engineering and degree dropouts can avail part-time jobs of MIMI products’ home delivery. They will also be accorded training for the courses they pursue in their bid to become graduates.
The government is also mulling over the installation of motion sensors in all MIMI stores and central storage rooms to get alerts about the presence of any rodents or insects. CCTVs will also be installed in shops to ensure that only MIMI products are being delivered and sold, the Kerala State Coastal Area Development Corporation, under which the Parivarthanam socio-economic initiative operates, said.
