Karnataka Fisheries Department plans statewide rollout of the Matsya Vahini scheme to provide modified fish-selling autorickshaws to unemployed youth, supporting hygienic fish sales, entrepreneurship and livelihood generation.

Mysuru, May 24, 2026: The Karnataka Department of Fisheries is preparing to expand the Matsya Vahini scheme across the state, aiming to promote the sale of hygienic fish and value-added fish products while creating self-employment opportunities for unemployed youth.

The scheme, implemented through the Karnataka Fisheries Development Corporation (KFDC), provides specially modified autorickshaws to selected beneficiaries on a lease basis. These mobile fish vending vehicles are designed to support safe storage, hygienic handling and direct retail sale of fresh fish and fish-based products.

The initiative was earlier launched on a pilot basis in Bengaluru, where 150 beneficiaries were selected, trained and provided with Matsya Vahini vehicles. Encouraged by the success of the pilot project, the department has now initiated steps to expand the programme to all districts of Karnataka.

Under the scheme, each modified autorickshaw is equipped with essential facilities such as freezers, gas stoves and solar lighting. These features allow beneficiaries to sell fresh fish during the day and prepare value-added products such as cooked fish items and pickles in the evening.

The model is expected to improve income opportunities for beneficiaries by enabling them to diversify beyond fresh fish sales. It also supports better market access for fish products, especially in urban and semi-urban areas where demand for hygienically handled food products is increasing.

The Matsya Vahini initiative has been introduced under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, a central scheme focused on strengthening the fisheries sector, improving infrastructure, increasing fish production and enhancing livelihood opportunities connected to fisheries and allied activities.

Through Matsya Vahini, the department aims to build a more organised and hygienic fish retail network while supporting entrepreneurship among unemployed youth.

Following the Bengaluru pilot, the Fisheries Department plans to select beneficiaries across districts. As per the proposed expansion, one to four beneficiaries may be selected in each district, while in Mysuru, the department is expected to identify around four to five beneficiaries.

The vehicles will remain under the ownership of KFDC and will be provided to beneficiaries on a five-year lease. The monthly rent has been fixed at ₹3,000. Beneficiaries from the general category will have to deposit ₹2 lakh as a refundable security amount, while SC/ST beneficiaries will be required to deposit ₹1.5 lakh.

Deputy Director of Fisheries Manjunath said the Bengaluru pilot helped several beneficiaries become entrepreneurs after receiving training and access to Matsya Vahini vehicles. The expansion is expected to provide similar opportunities to youth in other districts of Karnataka.

The scheme not only focuses on vehicle allocation but also includes training and capacity-building support so that beneficiaries can operate the mobile fish vending units professionally and sustainably.

Farmer leader Attahalli Devaraja urged the government to further promote the scheme, noting that it could benefit unemployed youth, encourage hygienic fish sales and create new livelihood opportunities.

The scheme is also expected to strengthen fish marketing channels by connecting producers, vendors and consumers more efficiently. By supporting mobile retail units, Karnataka aims to improve last-mile access to fresh fish and value-added products while promoting local entrepreneurship.

From a skill development perspective, Matsya Vahini reflects a practical model of livelihood-linked entrepreneurship. The scheme combines training, infrastructure support, market linkage and income generation, making it relevant for youth employment, fisheries-based livelihoods and micro-enterprise promotion.

By enabling trained beneficiaries to operate mobile fish retail units, the initiative can contribute to local employment creation, hygienic food distribution and value-added fisheries business models across Karnataka.