Kochi, Feb 3 (UNI) Former President A P J Abdul Kalam today said Kerala has a great potential for ornamental fish farming with its large number of water bodies across the State.

Addressing a gathering, after inaugurating the valedictory fucntion of the international seminar on 'Ornamental Fish Breeding, Farming and Trade' here, he said, ''an empowered body should be formed to promote ornamental fish industry so that the present trade of Rs five crore could be increased to Rs 50 crore in the next ten years.'' He said the authorities concerned should take steps to standardise the breeding technology and develop common fish feed for the ornamental fishes. The officials should also try to establish farms and co-operatives for ornamental fishes in rural areas, he said.

Mr Kalam said the industry could also be seen as an employment generating sector, with small-scale farms providing livelihood to lot of people in the rural areas.

The two-day seminar, in which about 32 papers were presented, drew up recommendations on possibilities of development for expansion in captive breeding, rearing and trade in view of the excellent resources in ornamental species in India.

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