The ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Kochi, Kerala has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Clam Kerala Farmer Producer Company Ltd, Alappuzha, Kerala to promote scientific and mechanized clam processing in Kerala. As part of the agreement, a modern processing facility at Perumbalam in Alappuzha District will be handed over to the FPC, which will operate and maintain it to improve efficiency, product quality, and livelihoods of local fishers.

The collaboration includes technical guidance and training from ICAR-CIFT. The initiative is expected to reduce manual drudgery, especially for women workers, and serve as a model for community-driven fisheries development in the state