OUR PARTNERS
We believe in empowering local organizations and corporations to improve the lives of fish
and create a more sustainable foundation for rural livelihoods.
Find out who partners with us and become a partner yourself.
In India, as in other similar countries, most fish are sold not through massive corporations but through local markets in the informal economy. Our collaboration with local organizations enables positive change in farming conditions on the ground, while our collaboration with corporations financially supports these changes.
Gramodaya Trust
The Organization
Gramodaya Trust operates in the state of Andhra Pradesh and works to enable sustainable and just livelihoods for farmers. It does so by empowering farmer collectives and producer organizations, assisting with the livelihoods of the poor in rural areas and developing resilience to climate change. Gramodaya Trust was launched by Mr. Srinivas Chekuri in 2015, and currently works with thousands of local farmers, including several hundred fish farmers.
The Partnership
In January 2021, Gramodaya Trust and Fish Welfare Initiative partnered to undertake a pilot study examining the impacts of higher welfare production methods. Following the study, from 2022 to 2026, FWI will support Gramodaya Trust in expanding higher welfare production methods to at least 50 new farms per year.
Farmers supported with higher welfare farming methods: 250
Srinivas Chekuri, Founder of Gramodaya Trust, conversing with Karthik Pulugurtha, Managing Director of Fish Welfare Initiative India
Fishes expected to lead a better life (estimate): 1-8 million
Association for the Rural Development
The Organization
Association for the Rural Development (ARD) is a service organization that works to assist aquaculture farmers and marginalized groups and communities in Andhra Pradesh. ARD launched in 2001 to protect runaway children, and has since expanded its programming to also work with tribal communities, impoverished people, and women and girls. ARD currently influences several thousand fish farmers.
The Partnership
In March 2021, ARD partnered with Fish Welfare Initiative to take part in FWI's study examining the impacts of higher welfare production methods. Following the study, from 2022 to 2026, FWI will support ARD in expanding higher welfare production methods to at least 50 new farms per year.
Farmers supported with higher welfare farming methods: 250
Sheik Basheer, Executive Secretary of ARD, with Karthik Pulugurtha, MD of FWI India, in front of one of the fish farms ARD works with in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh.
Fishes expected to lead a better life (estimate): 1-12 million
SAGE
The Organization
SAGE is a sustainable living brand that includes a permaculture farm (Baby Elephant Farm), store, and organic cafes in Hyderabad, India. Launched in 2015, SAGE is uniquely positioned among food businesses for its commitment to sustainability and animal welfare and its traceable farm-to-fork strategy. The Baby Elephant Farm supplies the store and cafes with a variety of organically grown and raised plant and animal products.
The Partnership
In September 2021 SAGE committed to maintaining maximum stocking densities of 1500 fish/acre and working with FWI to implement other welfare improvements, including monitoring water quality, reducing handling, and exploring pre-slaughter stunning. SAGE is making these changes immediately for all the farmed fish they sell.
Fishes expected to lead a better life per year (estimate): 550
Karthik Pulugurtha, FWI India Managing Director, presents Kavitha Mantha, CEO of SAGE, with a certificate shortly after SAGE formally committed to improve fish welfare.
Full Agreements
See the full partnership agreements:
Become a Fish Welfare Initiative Partner
We’re interested in connecting with more NGOs and corporations in India and who have an interest in animal welfare. If you’re from such an entity, please reach out.
To learn more about the benefits of fish welfare for industry, sustainability, and public health, see Why Fish Welfare.