K J Francis Joy PARAVOOR: The mussel farming in Moothakunnam backwaters under the technical advice of Molluskan Fisheries Division of Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) proved highly remunerative when the Kudumbasree units harvested them on Tuesday. Less investment, short period for farming, high-yield and good demand in the market fetched fortune to the members of Kudumbasree units engaged in mussel farming. About 20 Kudumbasree units are running 32 mussel farms in the backwaters in Moothakunnam, Kottuvallykadu and Sathar Island near here. The experimental mussel farms operated by CMFRI in Moothakunnam backwaters to maintain the standard specified by European Community for export of mussel were also successful. The mussel, harvested from the CMFRI farms were sold at good price at Chettikad festival area on Tuesday. The sales of mussel was inaugurated by grama panchayat member Rema Kripanidhi by giving the product to T K Mukundan, Head of Zoology Department of SNM College. The Molluskan Fisheries Division of CMFRI had found the backwaters in Moothakunnam, Kottuvallykadu, Sathar Island, ideal for mussel farming. It launched the farming in 2002 to create awareness among the local people on mussel farming. The Kudumbasree units took up mussel farming in 2004 when they found it highly profitable. More units joined them which increased the number of farms to 32. Bamboo poles are used as farm structures. Each farm requires Rs 5,000 as primary investment. Aquaculture Development Agency of Kerala (ADAK) extends financial subsidy for the farms. Meanwhile, the farmers find it difficult to get the mussel seeds due to enhanced cost of the seed and its shortage in Kollam and Kozhikode. The CMFRI plans to start mussel seed nursery on experimental basis to make available adequate quantity of seeds. However, mussel farming has started catching the attention of Kudumbasree in a big way.