KFDC goes all out to satiate Bangaloreans’ appetite for fish

Are you a lover of sea food? Here’s an appetising news for you.
Overwhelmed by the quantity of marine fish consumption in Bangalore, the state-run Karnataka Fisheries Development Corporation (KFDC) is going hi-tech to widen its reach.

While building a chain of cold storages across the city, the corporation is introducing a variety of ready-to-eat fish dishes to cater to the needs of fish-hungry Bangaloreans. So, if you are missing the taste of that homemade fish curry, all you have to do is: shop, heat
and eat.

This apart, the KDFC is also planning fish canteens. Its fish canteen at Cubbon Park is doing roaring business, said KFDC chairman Nithin Kumar. “Busy Bangaloreans don’t have the time to clean and cook, but surely they do miss homemade fish curries and fries. This new business proposal is aimed at them. We have devised a processing unit at Mangalore, where fish will be processed and ready-to-serve dishes be prepared. Our unit matches European Union standards, which are accepted worldwide. And the product range is going to be wide and elaborate. Some recipes are right from the homes of the fishermen’s village in Mangalore,” he said.

Four delivery outlets
KFDC plans to open air-conditioned fish delivery outlets at Rajajinagar, Vijaynagar, Jayanagar and Malleswaram. It already has one in Indiranagar. The fish canteen near Queen’s Circle, which had been defunct, has been renovated and opened.
All these modernisation and expansion plans of KFDC are backed up by its research which has identified a huge market for fish in Bangalore.

“Besides, Bangaloreans are fond of fresh-water fish, especially sear, kingfisher, pomfret, mackerels, jumbo prawns and butter fish, all of which come from Chennai. There is also a secondary market for products like fish fillets, nuggets, fish snacks, pickled fish, heat-and-eat curries, fries and dried-fish chutneys,” said KDFC managing director VK Shetty.

It may be noted that the corporation had been reporting huge loses and reeling under debts a few years ago. But that’s all before the turnaround happened, Nithin Kumar said, adding that now, its 300-odd employees are getting better wages.

KFDC has moved from energy-guzzling outdated equipment to efficient technology for freezing and processing fish, Shetty said. The corporation also has plans to expand its markets in the coastal belt.