Union Minister for Fisheries 'Lalan' Singh briefed the media today on the important decisions taken and achievements of the Ministry

Fisheries and Aquaculture are an Important Source of Food, Nutrition, Employment, Income and Foreign Exchange: Rajiv Ranjan Singh

INDIA
Thursday, September 19, 2024, 00:10 (GMT + 9)

Rajiv Ranjan Singh, highlighted the Ministry's achievements during the first 100 days of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's third term. India, the second-largest fish producer globally, has witnessed record fish production and significant investment in fisheries infrastructure under initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana.

Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry &Dairying, Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh briefed the media today on the important decisions taken and achievements of the Ministry for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying in 100 days of the third term of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and Panchayati Raj Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel, Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and Ministry of Minority Affairs George Kurian, Secretary, Department of Fisheries Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi and Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying Ms. Alka Upadhyay and senior officers of Ministry were also present at the press conference.

Achievements of Fishing Department:

While briefing Achievements of Fishing Department, Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh said that Fisheries and aquaculture are an important source of food, nutrition, employment, income and foreign exchange. Fish being an affordable and rich source of healthy animal protein and omega 3-fatty acids, it offers immense potential to mitigate hunger and malnutrition.  

Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh said that India is blessed with rich and diverse fisheries resources and a variety of fish species are found that enrich our biodiversity. Fisheries and aquaculture is a promising sector that provides livelihood and employment opportunities to about 3 crore fishers and fish farmers at the primary level and several lakhs along the value chain. India is the 2nd largest fish producing country with around 8% share in global fish production. Globally, India also stands at 2nd in aquaculture production, is one of the top mp producing and exporting nations and 3rd largest capture fisheries producer. During last ten years, the Government of India has taken up several transformational initiatives for holistic development of fisheries and aquaculture sector. Some of the key reforms are highlighted below. 

Creation of New Department of Fisheries and Ministry for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying: Recognizing the immense potential of the Fisheries Sector and for focused and holistic development of the sector with fishers and fish farmers’ welfare at the core, the Government of India created a separate Department of Fisheries in February, 2019 and this was followed up by creation of a new Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying in June, 2019.

Highest ever investments in fisheries sector: During last 10 years, the Government of India has stepped up investments in fisheries and aquaculture sector. From 2015, the central government has approved schemes namely Blue Revolution Scheme, Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Matsya Samridhi Sah Yojana (PMMMKSSY), a sub-scheme under PMMSY with total investments of Rs 38,572 crore.

The Flagship Scheme Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) is under implementation since FY 2020-21, with investment target of Rs.20,050 crore and is the highest ever investment in Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector in the country. Projects worth of Rs 20,687.28 crore have been approved under PMMSY during the last four years from FY 2020-21 to 2023-24 for the States/UTs and other implementing agencies, thus 100% of the envisaged investment projects has been approved under PMMSY within four years of its implementation.

Record National Fish Production: Fisheries Sector commenced purely as a traditional activity at the time of India’s Independence. Over the past seventy-five years, the sector has gradually transformed into a commercial enterprise while maintaining its traditional and small-scale character. The fish production in the country rose from 7.52 lakh tonnein 1950-51 to an all-time record of 175.45 lakh tons in 2022-23, which is more than 23-fold increase in national fish production. During the last 9 years, the annual fish production of India has increased from 95.79 lakh tons (at the end of FY 2013-14) to record production of 175.45 lakh tons (at the end of FY 2022-23) i.e. an increase of 79.66 lakh tons i.e. more than 83%

Doubling of Inland and Aquaculture Production: Fish production from inland fisheries and aquaculture increased from mere 2.18 lakh tons in FY 1950-51 to 131.33 lakh tons in FY 2022-23. The inland fisheries and aquaculture production has doubled as it increased from 61.36 lakh tons at the end of FY 2013-14 to 131.33 lakh tons at the end of FY 2022-23 i.e. an increase of 69.97 lakh tons, which is more than 114%. These production figures are a magnificent achievement in the endeavour of enhancing aquaculture farmers’ incomes. This also indicates growing interest of youth in fisheries and aquaculture sector as a source of employment, income and entrepreneurship.

Doubling of Seafood Exports:  The seafood exports of India have more than doubled since FY 2013-14. While the seafood exports stood at Rs 30,213 crore in 2013-14, the same has increased to Rs 60,523.89 crore during FY 2023-24 an increase of 100% in spite of pandemic imposed challenges in global markets. Today, Indian seafood is exported to 129 countries with largest overseas market being USA.

Doubling of Brackish Water Aquaculture Production: The Brackish Water Aquaculture led by mp cultivation is a success story crafted by thousands of diverse small aquaculture farmers around the fulcrum of governmental interventions. In the last 9 years there has been a boom in mp cultivation and export especially from the states of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Odisha and Tamil Nadu. Similarly, the mp exports have more than doubled with an increase of about 107% from Rs.19,368 crore at the end of FY 2013-14 to Rs 40,013.54 crore at the end of FY 2023-24.

Sustained Growth Rate and Increased Contribution of Fisheries Sector in National Gross Value Add (GVA) and Agriculture GVA: The fisheries sector of India has gradually evolved over the years to become an important pillar of socio-economic growth of the nation. The fisheries sector in India has shown a sustained annual average growth rate of 8.61%during the period from FY 2014-15 to FY 2021-22 (at constant prices). During period from FY 2014-15 to FY 2021-22, the GVA of Fisheries Sector has increased from Rs. 76,487 crore in FY 2013-14 to 1,47,518.87 crore (at constant prices) and from 98,189.64 crore in FY 2013-14 to 2,88,526.19 crore in FY 2021-22 (at current prices). The sector contributes 1.069% in the National GVA and 6.86% in Agriculture GVA. In fact, the contribution of fisheries Sector in National GVA has increased from 0.844% at the end of FY 2013-14 to 1.069% at the end of FY 2021-22 (at constant prices). Similarly, the contribution of fisheries sector in Agriculture GVA has increased by 44.42% from 4.75% at the end of FY 2013-14 to 6.86% at the end of in FY 2021-22 (at constant prices).

With increased production and availability of fish, domestic fish consumption that stood at less than 5 kg per capita in 2013-14 has increased to 13.1 Kg/capitaas of now and DoF (GoI) envisages to peg the current global average of more than 20Kg per capita.

Institutional Credit through Kisan Credit Card (KCC) for Fishers and Fish farmers:  The Government of India extended the KCC facility to fishers and fish famers from the financial year FY 2018-19 to help them meet their working capital requirements. KCC saturation drive, “GharGhar KCC Abhiyan”, nationwide rural awareness campaign “Viksit Bharat SankalpYatra” were launched for disseminating information, raising awareness and extending services, etc. at each Gram Panchayat. As a result, total of 4.32lakh KCCs for fishers and fish farmers with a credit amount of Rs 2687.20 crore have thus been approved till date.

Focus on creation of Infrastructure in Fishing Harbours (FHs) and Fish Landing Centres (FLCs):  Fishing Harbours (FHs) and Fish Landing Centres (FLCs) provide safe landing, berthing, loading and unloading facilities for the fishing vessels. Development of modern Fishing Harbours and Fish Landing Centres (FLCs) is vital for the post-harvest operations of the harnessed fishery resources. During the last 10 years, the Government of India approved project proposals for construction/modernization of 66 FHs and 50 FLCs at a total cost of Rs 9532.30 crore.

Source: KJ Krishi Jagran

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