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HomePosts Tagged "Department of Fisheries"
Acquaculture, AgroPolicy, India, Live Stock

The Department of Fisheries under PMMSY, launched the developing of a Tuna Cluster in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, focusing on investment in infrastructure, investor partnerships, training, and capacity-building to strengthen operations and boost global competitiveness in tuna fisheries.

The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal husbandry & Dairying Organized the Investors Meet 2024: Investment Opportunities in Fisheries and Aquaculture sector of Andaman & Nicobar Islands on 14th November 2024 at Swaraj Dweep, Andaman & Nicobar Islands in the gracious presence of Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying (MoFAH&D) and Ministry of Panchayati Raj Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Lieutenant Governor of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Admiral D K Joshi, Minister of State for MoFAH&D and Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel, Minister of State for MoFAH&D and Ministry of Minority Affairs George Kurian, Department of Fisheries, MoFAH&D Secretary, and Chief Secretary of Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

Investors from various parts of the country specializing in technologies related to Tuna Fishing and Seaweed also participated in the event. In this context, The Department of Fisheries, GoI, under PMMSY, launched the developing of a Tuna Cluster in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, focusing on investment in infrastructure, investor partnerships, training, and capacity-building to strengthen operations and boost global competitiveness in tuna fisheries.

The global tuna industry, valued at over $40 billion annually, plays a major role in the blue economy. The Andaman & Nicobar Islands represent a prime opportunity for this sector, with a vast 6 lakh square km Exclusive Economic Zone rich in high-value tuna species and an untapped oceanic potential of 60,000 metric tons. This includes 24,000 metric tons for Yellowfin and 2,000 metric tons for Skipjack, while current harvests stand at just 4,420 metric tons, leaving ample room for expansion. Strategically located near Southeast Asia, the islands offer efficient trade routes by sea and air, ideally positioning India to expand its tuna export capabilities.

Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, envisioned the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as a future hub for fisheries exports, noting that the government is also working to strengthen trade with Southeast Asian countries. Additionally, he outlined efforts to promote deep-sea fishing and develop post-harvest processing facilities to help achieve the export target of Rs1 lakh crore. The Union Minister emphasised on creating modern fishing infrastructure in A&N for sustainably utilising huge untapped resources of this region. 

The Lieutenant Governor of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Admiral D.K. Joshi, addressed key challenges facing the fisheries sector in the region, including logistical issues due to limited connectivity with Southeast Asia, delays in trade clearances caused by the absence of MPEDA and EIC offices (with Chennai being the nearest office), and the need for improved transport infrastructure. To address these challenges, a direct flight connecting the Andaman & Nicobar Islands with Southeast Asia though Kuala Lumpur, Indonesia, will be inaugurated on 16th November 2024, enabling the trade connectivity. First export consignment may be sent via the return flight. Additionally, for seafood exports promotion from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the MPEDA and EIC have established desk offices at Port Blair enhancing the efficiency of trade clearances and facilitating smoother operations.

The Department of Fisheries under PMMSY, launched

Acquaculture, Agribusiness, AgroPolicy, India, Interaction, Investments, Live Stock, Schemes - Govt

Around 60 Investors from various parts of the country specializing in technologies related to Tuna and Seaweed will also be participating in the event.

The Department of Fisheries, under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, is organizing an Investors Meet 2024: Investment Opportunities in Fisheries and Aquaculture sector of Andaman & Nicobar Islands on 14th November 2024 at Taj Exotica, Swaraj Dweep, Andaman & Nicobar Islands in the gracious presence of Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying (MoFAH&D) and Ministry of Panchayati Raj along with George Kurian, Minister of State, MoFAH&D and Ministry of Minority Affairs, Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel, Minister of State, MoFAH&D and Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Admiral D K Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.), Lieutenant Governor, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Secretary (Fisheries), Department of Fisheries(DoF), MoFAH&D, Chief Secretary, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and other dignitaries. The event will also have participation from officials from the Department of Fisheries, State/UT Fisheries Departments, scientists, etc. Around 60 Investors from various parts of the country specializing in technologies related to Tuna and Seaweed will also be participating in the event.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands offer a prime opportunity for fisheries development, with around 6.0 lakh square km of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) rich in under-exploited sea resources, particularly Tuna and Tuna like high valued species, estimated at 60,000 metric tons. Their proximity to Southeast Asian countries enables efficient sea and air trade, while the pristine waters support sustainable fishing practices. Coupled with effective administrative measures, the region is well-positioned to leverage its marine resources for economic growth. The Investors’ Meet 2024 in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands offers a platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and business exploration, with sessions to promote public-private partnerships for sustainable growth in fisheries and aquaculture. The event includes lead presentations, B2B and B2G interactions, and strategy planning, aiming to drive investments in infrastructure, technology transfer, skill development, and innovation. Interactive sessions will highlight best practices, address private sector challenges, and foster Southeast Asian networking to explore new business opportunities and trade synergies in the sector. In addition, the event will also mark the launch of video for the development of a Tuna Cluster in Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

The fisheries sector recognized as the “Sunrise Sector” is a key growth driver in India’s economy and plays an essential role in enhancing national income, exports and food security, particularly benefiting rural areas. Over the past decade, the Government of India has led the sector’s transformation through flagship initiatives like PMMSY, FIDF, and the Blue Revolution, with an unprecedented investment of Rs 38,572 crore since 2015.

India exported 17.81 Lakh Tons of seafood worth Rs 60,523.89 crore during 2023-24. The seafood exports of India have more than doubled since FY 2013-14, an increase of 100 per cent despite pandemic imposed challenges in global markets. Indian seafood is exported to 129 countries with largest overseas market being USA. This has resulted in tremendous progress in seafood exports, which has increased with an average annual growth rate of 14% in the last 10 years.

The Department of Fisheries envisages to enhance fisheries exports to Rs 1 lakh crores by 2024-25. This initiative presents valuable opportunities for investors in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands (A&N). This initiative aims not only to increase exports but also to create significant employment opportunities in Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Key resources like tuna and seaweed are among the priority sectors for development, with a focus on fostering sustainable growth and maximizing the region’s economic potential. The Department of Fisheries is increasing its efforts on adoption of a cluster-based approach with an end-to-end value chain to drive growth in fisheries and aquaculture.

Around 60 Investors from various parts of

Acquaculture, AgroPolicy, Agrotech, Drones, India, Live Stock

This initiative aims to improve resilience against climate change by providing facilities like fish drying yards, processing centers, and emergency rescue facilities, while also supporting climate-resilient practices such as seaweed cultivation and green fuel initiatives.

Union Minister of State George Kurian inaugurates workshop on Application and Demonstration of Drone Technology in Fisheries and Aquaculture emphasising upon drone technology being the game changer in fisheries sector. As way forward towards transforming the fisheries sector in a holistic way and bringing about an economic upturn and prosperity through the Blue Revolution in the country the Department of Fisheries, MoFAH&D, Government of India, has announced cumulative investments to the tune of Rs 38,572 crore through various schemes.

During the Inaugural address George Kurian, Minister of State, Department of Fisheries and Ministry of Minority Affairs highlighted the initiatives taken by the department of Fisheries and the remarkable growth of India’s fisheries sector, propelled by strategic investments and progressive policies over the past decade. Union Minister of State announced the development of 100 climate-resilient coastal fishermen villages under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), with Rs 2 crore allocated per village to enhance infrastructure and promote sustainable livelihoods. This initiative aims to improve resilience against climate change by providing facilities like fish drying yards, processing centers, and emergency rescue facilities, while also supporting climate-resilient practices such as seaweed cultivation and green fuel initiatives. The Minister highlighted the role of drone technology in monitoring aquaculture farms and fisheries infrastructure, especially during disasters, and revealed plans to equip one lakh fishing vessels with transponders for real-time tracking, weather alerts, and communication, with an investment of Rs 364 crores.

Since its inception, the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) has focused on promoting sustainable, economically viable, and inclusive growth in the fisheries and aquaculture sector. Key initiatives include modern aquaculture practices, satellite-based monitoring, and recent exploration of drone technology for fish transport, surveillance, and environmental monitoring.

 Drones offer a range of applications to numerous challenges in aquaculture, with key critical areas of intervention including water sampling and identification of diseases and fish feed management. The scope also extends to managing aquaculture farms, monitoring fish marketing, assessing damage to fisheries infrastructure and rescue operations during natural disasters. For instance, underwater drones, can monitor fish behaviour in their natural habitats as well as signs of distress such as erratic swimming patterns.

The Department of Fisheries, MoFAH&D, organized a Workshop on Application and Demonstration of Drone Technology in Fisheries and Aquaculture on 8th November 2024 at ICAR- Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Kochi, Kerala. The event took place in the gracious presence of Shri George Kurian, Hon’ble Minister of State, Department of Fisheries and Ministry of Minority Affairs along with Dignitaries, Scientists, State fisheries officials, Fishermen and fisherwomen. The Workshop on Application and Demonstration of Drone Technology provided a unique platform to showcase innovative technological advancements, emphasizing the transformative role of drone technology in the fisheries sector to maximize its potential. Many fishermen, fisherwomen, scientists, entrepreneurs, students, and other delegates participated in the event.

Dr Grinson George, Director of CMFRI, set the welcome note to the gathering and set the context for the one-day workshop. This was followed by opening remarks from Dr B K Behera, Chief Executive, NFDB, who highlighted various schemes and initiatives, encouraging stakeholders in the fisheries sector to take advantage of these benefits.

Neetu Kumari Prasad, Joint Secretary (Marine), addressed the gathering, highlighting the benefits of the flagship scheme Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojna and reaffirming the Department of Fisheries’ commitment to scaling up the fisheries sector. It was emphasized that the Department of Fisheries has consistently championed the infusion of technology to drive sustainable development in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors. Through various schemes, it has introduced advancements to boost fish production, improve resource management, and increase operational efficiency. In line with these initiatives the department in collaboration with NFDB, has organized drone demonstrations at key locations, including the Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI) in Barrackpore, Kolkata, and Gyan Bhawan in Patna, Bihar.

Dr. V V Suresh, Head Mariculture division and startup EyeROV Technologies pvt. Ltd. presented on the application of drone technology and its challenges in the fisheries sector.  Following this the distribution of “Cadalmin BSF PRO” a specially formulated fish feed designed to support sustainable aquaculture practices to farmers was also held. In addition, a brochure, titled “EG Sailas Centre of Excellence and Innovation,” was launched, highlighting key advancements and contributions to the field of marine fish microbiome and nutrigenomics. Furthermore, the session also marked the official launch of the Marine Biological Association of India (MBAI) National Symposium, an event aimed at fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing among marine science professionals across the nation.

This initiative aims to improve resilience

Acquaculture, AgroPolicy, Allied Industry, Live Stock

The initiative will help in focusing on attracting investments through investors meetings to foster partnerships with tuna-fishing nations and implementing training and capacity-building programs

The Department of Fisheries, under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has notified the Development of Tuna Cluster in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).Over the past decade, flagship initiatives like Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) and the Blue Revolution have proved themselves as transformative agenda with an unprecedented investment of Rs 38,572 crores since 2015 in terms of increasing its efforts on the adoption of production and processing fisheries cluster-based approach with an end-to-end value chain in fisheries and aquaculture.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands offers huge potential for fisheries development, with around 6.0 lakh square km of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) rich in under-exploited sea resources, particularly Tuna and Tuna like high valued species, estimated at 60,000 metric tons. Their proximity to Southeast Asian countries adds on to the geographical advantage in terms of efficient sea and air trade, while the pristine waters support sustainable fishing practices thus assisting in leveraging its marine resources for economic growth. The notification of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as a tuna cluster is expected to generate economies of scale, increase incomes, and accelerate organized growth in fisheries across the country. The initiative will help in focusing on attracting investments through investors meetings to foster partnerships with tuna-fishing nations and implementing training and capacity-building programs, along with exposure visits for the stakeholders to promote reduce costs, promote innovation, and support sustainable practices. . Additionally, the initiative would result in development of infrastructure for fish landing, processing and export connectivity that is essential for streamlining operations and enhancing India’s global competitiveness in the sector.

The Department of Fisheries has also envisaged a roadmap to focus on cluster development across key areas, including Pearl, Seaweed, and Ornamental Fisheries; Reservoir Fisheries; Fishing Harbours; Saline Water Aquaculture; Cold Water Fisheries; Sea Cage Culture; Freshwater and Brackish-Water Fisheries; Deep Sea and Oceanic Fisheries; Organic Fisheries; Wetland Fisheries, and other areas tailored to specific sectoral and regional needs. The Department of Fisheries has already identified  Hazaribagh District in Jharkhand for pearl culture, Madurai District in Tamil for ornamental fisheries and UT of Lakshadweep for seaweed.

The initiative will help in focusing on

Acquaculture, AgroPolicy, India, Live Stock, Trade

The reduction in import duties on various ingredients /inputs for manufacture of prawn and shrimp feed/fish feed announced in Budget 2024-25 will help in increase of exports.

As a result of the various efforts made by the Government, India’s seafood exports have increased from Rs. 46,662.85 Crore in 2019-20 to Rs. 61043.68 Crore in 2023-24 registering a growth of 30.81 per cent.

The Government regularly monitors and reviews export performance, including that of marine products, along with export promotion bodies and the Indian missions abroad with the objective of enhancing exports vis-a-vis previous year. Internal targets are used for monitoring purpose only, and have been fixed at USD 7.86 billion for 2024-25.

The Government through Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), a statutory organization under administrative control of Department of Commerce provides assistance for upgrading the infrastructure facilities for value addition, establishing testing laboratories, participating in international trade fairs, and providing technical assistance for aquaculture production meant for exports, etc.

The reduction in import duties on various ingredients /inputs for manufacture of prawn and shrimp feed/fish feed announced in Budget 2024-25 will make Indian seafood-based value-added products more competitive in international markets and help in increase of exports. The reduction of import duties include from 15 per cent to Nil on Fish lipid Oil (HS 1504 20) & Algal prime (flour) (HS 2102 2000) , from 5  per cent to Nil on Krill meal (HS 2301 20), Mineral and Vitamin Premixes (HS 2309 90 90), from 30 per cent to Nil on Crude Fish Oil, from 15 per cent to 5 per cent on Prawn and shrimps feed (2309 90 31) and fish feed (2309 90 39), from 30 per cent to Nil on pre-dust breaded powder.

The Government has also increased the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Export Products (RoDTEP) from 2.5 per cent to 3.1 per cent for various seafood products and with maximum value cap per kg increased to Rs. 69.00, which will also encourage export of such products.

Furthermore, the Department of Fisheries, Govt. of India is implementing flagship scheme namely Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) with an investment of Rs 20050 crore in fisheries sector for a period of 5 years i.e. FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25 with an objective of promoting exports from the fisheries sector. The scheme intends to address critical gaps in fish production and productivity, quality of catch/harvests, technology infusion, post-harvest infrastructure, modernization and strengthening of value chain, reduction of post-harvest losses, traceability etc. Since 2020-21, the Department of Fisheries, Government of India has approved proposals to the tune of Rs. 1283.47 crore for development of cold chain infrastructure under PMMSY which includes construction of 586 cold storages, modernization of 78 cold storages/ice plants and 26588 post-harvest transportation facilities.

This information has been provided by the Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Jitin Prasada in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

The reduction in import duties on various

Acquaculture, AgroPolicy, Finance, India, Schemes - Govt

Department of Fisheries provides financial assistance for formation of 2195 FFPOs under PMMSY and around 95 FFPOs on board on ONDC network.

With an aim to hold strategic discussions with States/UTs to deliberate on the progress and way forward for the development of the fisheries sector, Department of Fisheries, Government of India organised the ‘Fisheries Summer Meet 2024’ at Madurai, Tamil Nadu. A total of 321 impactful projects under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) with an outlay of Rs.114 Crore, covering 19 State/UTs were virtually inaugurated by Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and Panchayati Raj Shri Rajeev Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh.

The union minister inaugurated an exhibition that showcased various aquaculture technologies such as RAS, BioFloc, technologies used for ornamental fisheries, pearl cultivation etc. Rajiv Ranjan Singh also distributed KCC, presented PMMSY achievement award letters to beneficiaries and felicitated FFPOs onboarded on Open Network Digital Commerce (ONDC). He also interacted with the entrepreneurs and scientists during the walkthrough of the exhibition.

Department of Fisheries (GoI) has provided financial assistance for formation of 2195 FFPOs under PMMSY and around 95 FFPOs have been onboarded on the ONDC network. This collaboration with ONDC has served numerous benefits for the FFPOs like reduced transaction costs, increased market reach, improved transparency, increased competition & competitiveness, innovation, employment generation etc. Six participants onboarded onto the ONDC network, namely, Gorakhpur Kissan Producer Company Limited, District Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, Kapsi Fishery Farmer Producer Company Ltd., District Kanker, Chhattisgarh, Banmankhi Fish Farmer Company Limited, District, Purnia, Bihar, Bastarpearl Fish Farmer Producer Company Limited, Bastar, Chhattisgarh, Lari Fish Producer Company Ltd., District Deoria, Uttar Pradesh and Kondapaka Fisheries Producer Company Limited, District Siddipet, Telangana were felicitated for their contribution in the growth of the Fisheries sector during the event.

Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh also distributed KCC certificates and PMMSY sanction orders to the beneficiaries. The recipient beneficiaries for ornamental fisheries units included Yogeshwari W/o. Kathiresh Kumar, Ms Suguna W/o. Muthu Pandi, Ms Sindhu W/o. Sudhakar, Ms Kalaiyarasi W/o. Sakthivel and Ms Pachaiyammal W/o. Mathialagan.

Department of Fisheries provides financial assistance for

Acquaculture, AgroPolicy, Agrotech, India, Live Stock

It signifies a monumental leap towards providing a digital platform for fish farmers and stakeholders in the fisheries sector.

The Department of Fisheries successfully inaugurated the integration of the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Fisheries scheme onto the JanSamarth Portal, revolutionising access to credit facilities for fishers, fish farmers etc across the nation. The virtual ceremony, attended by esteemed dignitaries including Sagar Mehra, Joint Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, GoI, Pankaj Sharma, Joint Secretary, Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance and Rajeev Ranjan Prasad, Chief General Manager, (Digital Transformation & E-commerce), State Bank of India marked a significant milestone in digitalization of KCC Fisheries application processing system.

Speaking at the event, Sagar Mehra highlighted the government’s relentless efforts to support for digitalization of credit system in the fisheries sector. He emphasised the transformative impact of integrating the scheme onto the JanSamarth Portal, which will facilitate seamless access to institutional credit facilities and promote inclusive growth of fisheries.

The integration of the KCC Fisheries scheme onto the JanSamarth Portal signifies a monumental leap towards providing a digital platform for fish farmers and stakeholders in the fisheries sector. This initiative aims to streamline processes, digitize workflows, and provide efficient loan management services, ensuring enhanced accessibility and transparency for beneficiaries.

Under the dynamic leadership of the Department of Fisheries, extensive efforts have been undertaken to bring awareness about the KCC Fisheries scheme, resulting in the issuance of over 3,01,309 KCC cards to beneficiaries engaged in fisheries and aquaculture activities nationwide. This concerted effort underscores the government’s commitment to empowering the credit facilities to fishers and fish farmers and promoting the growth of the fisheries industry.

The integration of the KCC Fisheries scheme onto the JanSamarth Portal heralds a new era of efficiency, transparency, and inclusivity in the fisheries sector. Fishers and Fish farmers across the country can now easily apply for their KCC loans and manage their loan accounts online.

It signifies a monumental leap towards providing

Acquaculture, AgroPolicy, Agrotech, E-commerce, India

ONDC platform of e-marketing will connect fishermen, fish farmers, FFPOs, self-help groups and other fishermen cooperatives in a structured manner.

The Department of Fisheries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) in the presence of Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Parshottam Rupala, Minister of State Dr. L Murugan, Secretary (Fisheries) Dr Abhilaksh Likhi, Joint Secretary (Inland Fisheries), Sagar Mehra, MD, ONDC T. Koshy and other esteemed dignitaries at New Delhi. Parshottam Rupala also released a booklet “From Catch to Commerce, Increasing Market Access through Digital Transformation”.

The objective of the collaboration of Department of Fisheries with ONDC is to provide a digital platform and empower all stakeholders including traditional fishermen, fish farmers producer organization, entrepreneurs from fisheries sector to buy and sell their products through e-market place. ONDC is a unique platform of e-marketing that will play a significant role in fisheries sector by connecting fishermen, fish farmers, FFPOs, self-help groups and other fishermen cooperatives in a structured manner.

ONDC platform of e-marketing will connect fishermen,

Acquaculture, AgroPolicy, Finance, India, Schemes - Govt

Budgetary allocation is 15 per cent higher than the current financial year.

Department of Fisheries has been allocated an amount of Rs. 2584.50 crore for financial year 2024-25 which is highest ever annual allocation to the Department of fisheries. The budgetary allocation is 15 per cent higher than the current financial year. The budget allocated is one of the highest ever annual budgetary support for the Department.

The expenditure towards fisheries sector since first five-year plan to 2013-14 was only Rs. 3680.93 crore however, since 2014-15 to 2023-24 an amount of Rs.  6378 crores have already been released for various fisheries developmental activities in the country. The targeted investment in last nine years in the sector is more than Rs 38572 crores, which is highest ever investment in this sunrise sector.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted the development in the sector. The interim budget also emphasises on establishment of digital public infrastructure for formalization of the economy. The Union Finance Minister emphasised that a separate Fisheries Department was established to realise importance of assisting fishermen that has resulted in doubling both inland and aquaculture production, doubling of seafood exports since 2013-14. The flagship scheme, Pradhan Mantri Mastya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) is being stepped up to enhance aquaculture productivity from existing 3 to 5 ton/Ha, doubling exports to Rs 1 lakh crore and generate 55 lakh employment opportunities along with big infrastructural changes of establishing 5 integrated aquaparks. In addition, the Blue economy 2.0 will be launched to focus on promoting climate resilient activities, restoration and adaptation measures and development of coastal aquaculture and mariculture with integrated & multi-sectoral approach.

Fisheries sector plays an important role in the Indian economy. It contributes to the national income, exports, food and nutritional security as well as employment generation. Fisheries sector is recognized as the ‘Sunrise Sector’ and is instrumental in sustaining livelihoods of around 30 million people in India particularly that of the marginalized and vulnerable communities.

The Fisheries sector was given the required boost by carving out Department of Fisheries from the erstwhile Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries on 5th February 2019 and has been equipped with profound schemes and programs namely Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), Fisheries Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) and Kisan Credit Card (KCC), the Department is now set to achieve newer heights during the Amrit Kaal.

Budgetary allocation is 15 per cent higher

Acquaculture, AgroPolicy, India

The total fish production in the North- Eastern States increased from 4.03 lakh tonnes in 2014-15 to highest production of 6.04 lakh tonnes during FY 2022-23.

The Inland fish production in North- Eastern States recorded an average annual growth rate of 5.38 per cent during last nine years i.e. from 2014-15 to 2022-23. The total fish production in the North- Eastern States increased from 4.03 lakh tonnes in 2014-15 to highest production of 6.04 lakh tonnes during FY 2022-23.

Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying implemented Blue Revolution, Centrally Sponsored Scheme from 2015-16 to 2019-20 for development of fisheries and aquaculture in the country and the project worth Rs 391.95 crore were sanctioned for North- Eastern States. To consolidates the success and achievements of Blue Revolution, in the year 2020-21, the Government of India launched another flagship schemes namely Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) with an investment of Rs 20,050 crores for a period of 5 years with effect from Financial Year 2020-21 to 2024-25 for holistic development of fisheries and aquaculture.

 PMMSY aims to enhance the fish production through establishment of new freshwater finfish hatcheries, construction of rearing ponds, grow-out ponds with inputs, biofloc ponds, Re-circulatory Aquaculture System (RAS), ornamental fish rearing unit, providing boats and nets for traditional fishermen etc. Minimum 10 per cent of the annual allocation under the scheme has been earmarked for North Eastern Region.

Under PMMSY, total projects with outlay of Rs 1391.62 crore have been approved for NER States during 2020-21 to 2023-24 (till date).

Besides, to promote easy access to credit for aqua-culture farmers, fish farms and fishing activities the Government of India in 2018-19 extended the facility of Kisan Credit Card (KCC) to fisher and fish farmers to help them meet their working capital needs. So far, a total of 1, 70, 674 KCC with a loan amount of Rs. 1893.43 crore have been issued including 16,870 KCC in NER.

This information was given by Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying in a written reply in Lok Sabha

The total fish production in the North-

Acquaculture, AgroPolicy, India, Live Stock

DoF has sanctioned 732 artificial reef units for 10 coastal states with a total investment of Rs 126 crore.

To promote sustainable practices, Department of Fisheries has sanctioned 732 artificial reef units for 10 coastal states with a total investment of Rs 126 crore as a sub-activity under “Integrated Modern Coastal Fishing Villages” of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). The projects are being implemented with the technical support of Fishery Survey of India (FSI) and ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI). All the states have completed their site selection process while states of Kerala and Maharashtra have completed the tendering process for execution of work. Thus, all projects are expected to be completed by January 2024.

As one of the impactful strategies, installation of artificial reefs in coastal waters and undertaking sea ranching programs across in all coastal states is expected to rejuvenate of coastal fisheries and re-build fish stocks.

Artificial reefs are engineering technology interventions used to rehabilitate and/or improve natural habitats, increase productivity and manage aquatic resources including habitat enhancement (FAO, 2015). Installation of artificial reefs is advantageous in many forms as below:

Similar to natural reefs, ARs used for aggregating fish and provide a home for fish to live and grow, reduce wave damage on coasts, helps regeneration of marine ecosystem and act as a carbon sink. As per CMFRI, two to three-fold increase in catch rates and efficiency can be realized Thus saving fuel and energy costs leading to increased income.

Providea firm substrate for marine life such as corals, algae and plankton to attach to and grow They provide favorable conditions for sea ranching and serve as spawning and nursery grounds for fish.

Enhance recreational fisheries, snorkeling, eco-tourism, creating suitable areas for diving and reducing conflicts.

Artificial reef structures restrict bottom trawling in the near shore areas thus helping the marine environment to regenerate and small-scale fishers get higher catch. One artificial reef of 300m3 is expected to support 25-30 non-mechanized boats (CMFRI).

PMMSY was launched in May 2020 with the highest ever investment of Rs. 20,050 crore to bring about Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of the fisheries sector. Over the years, increased fishing activities has reduced per capita yield from coastal fisheries, to led to heavy fishing pressure, loss of fishing grounds due to bottom trawling, coastal development etc. This has also resulted in reduced income and forcing the fishers to go to deeper waters.

DoF has sanctioned 732 artificial reef units

Acquaculture, Climate, Live Stock, Sustainability

This collaboration, supported by the World Bank, aims to empower smallholder fish producers, introduce innovative technologies and improve the livelihoods of farmers in 15 districts of the state

WorldFish, the Department of Water Resources and the Department of Fisheries have joined forces to boost climate-resilient aquaculture in Odisha. In a momentous event, a tripartite Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) was signed with a focus on climate resilience for smallholder aquatic food producers. The signing ceremony, attended by esteemed government officials, World Bank representatives and WorldFish staff, marked a significant step towards advancing the state’s aquaculture sector. 

Smruti Ranjan Pradhan, the director of fisheries for Odisha, Rashmi Ranjan Nayak, the project director of OIIPCRA and an additional secretary to the Government of Odisha and Arun Padiyar, WorldFish lead in India signed the MoA in the presence of Anu Garg, the development commissioner-cum-additional chief secretary of the Department of Water Resources in Odisha, Suresh Kumar Vashisth, the principal secretary of the Department of Fisheries and Animal Resources Development in Odisha and Arabinda Kumar Padhee, the principal secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment in Odisha. 

The agreement, facilitated by the Odisha Community Tank Development and Management Society (OCTDMS), aims to intensify and diversify agricultural production while enhancing climate resilience. Under the agreement, WorldFish will provide technical assistance and knowledge support for the Odisha Integrated Irrigation and Climate Resilience Agriculture (OIIPCRA) initiative. 

“Our previous collaboration with WorldFish had a significant impact whereby the seed production in Odisha doubled thus ensuring the state’s self-sufficiency through the adoption of WorldFish’s early breeding technology and facilitation in adopting reservoir cage culture,” said, Suresh Kumar Vashisth Principal Secretary Department of Fisheries and Animal Resources Development, Odisha

“In Odisha, the government is particularly focused on promoting climate-resilient aquatic food production systems in these public water bodies. This project serves as an economically beneficial activity and provides incentives to the local community,” said, Arun Pandiyar India Lead WorldFish.

The OIIPCRA project will benefit smallholder farmers across 15 districts, including Balangir, Balasore, Bargarh, Bhadrak, Boudh, Gajapati, Ganjam, Jajpur, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Nawarangpur, Nuapada and Subarnapur. By focusing on adaptation and mitigation strategies, species diversification and the adoption of new technologies, the project aims to enhance production, increase income and reduce the vulnerability of resource-poor farmers to climate shocks. 

This collaboration, supported by the World Bank,

Acquaculture, AgroPolicy, Agrotech, Live Stock, Start ups

The challenge received applications from 121 startups across the problem statements

The Department of Fisheries launched the Fisheries Startup Grand Challenge in partnership with Startup India hub and DPIIT, to identify, reward and recognise startups creating exceptional impact in the fisheries ecosystem. The Fisheries ecosystem in India has been growing over the years, currently having fisheries startups present in 21 states and union territories.

The Fisheries Startup Grand Challenge sought applications across four problem statements. The challenge received applications from 121 startups across the problem statements. After a rigorous analysis, 12 startups have been selected as winners of the challenge.

The selected startups will be felicitated by Parshottam Rupala Minister for Fisheries Animal Husbandry & Dairying, in the presence of Ministers of State, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Dr L. Murugan and Dr Sanjeev Kumar Balyan along with Ministers in-charge Fisheries from various States and senior officers of Central and State Governments on the occasion of National Fish Farmer’s Day at Mahabalipuram, Tamilnadu.

The selected startups under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana will so be provided with a cash grant of INR 2 lakhs to help them continue building their innovations.

The challenge received applications from 121 startups

Acquaculture, AgroPolicy, Dairy, Finance, India, Live Stock, Sustainability

Budget FY 2023-24 for Department of Fisheries marks an overall increase of 38.45% over the Budget of FY 2022-23.

While presenting the budget for FY 2023-24, Union Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman in her speech has announced allocation of an amount of Rs 2248.77 crore as against the corresponding figure of Rs 1624.18 crore during 2022-23 and Rs 1360 crore during 2021-22 for the Department of Fisheries. It marks an overall increase of 38.45 percent over the budget of FY 2022-23 from the last one and is one of the highest ever annual budgetary support for the Department.

Further, she has announced a new sub-scheme named Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY): Central Sector Sub-scheme under PMMSY with targeted investment of INR 6,000 crore with the objective to enhance further the earnings and incomes of fishermen, fish vendors and micro & small enterprises engaged in fisheries sector. PM-MKSSY envisages focussed intervention to bring about formalisation of the fisheries sector and this includes digital inclusion, facilitating access to institutional finance for capital investment and working capital, incentives to bring about system and institutions to reduce risk in aquaculture and fisheries incentivising micro-enterprises operating in fisheries and aquaculture sector to work on value-chain efficiencies, incentivising micro and small enterprises to establish supply chains for delivery of safe fish products to consumers, thereby expanding the domestic market and incentives for creation and maintenance of jobs for women in the sector.

The budget speech has also laid stressed on creation of primary cooperative societies including fisheries cooperatives at panchayat level. Formation of co-operative societies at grass root level will formalise the sector and will empower fishers and fish farmers to carry out fish production and its post-harvest activities in an organised manner. With Rs 900 crore allocation for the Ministry of Cooperation for development of cooperatives, enhanced limits for loans, TDS limits and cash deposits and steps to be taken for building the national co-operative database are expected to make operations and financing easier for co-operatives in the sector and help the sector to grow faster. The above, in addition to the earlier announcement on, establishment of National Co-operative Export Society, National Co-operative Society for Organic Products and National Level Multi-State Seed Co-operative Society are expected to support the fisheries in the areas of seed and marketing.

The credit target for agriculture and allied sector has been announced to be increased to Rs 20 lakh crores with focus on animal husbandry, dairy and fisheries. This will substantially improve flow of institutional finance for fisheries sector. Further the announcement to reduce import duty on certain inputs required for shrimp feed is expected to lower the cost of imports and the cost of production and as a result will boost and promote aquaculture exports. Reduction in basic customs duty on fish meal from 15  per cent to 5 per cent, on krill meal from 15 per cent to 5 per cent, on algal Prime (flour) from 30 percent to 15 percent, on fish lipid oil from 30 percent to 15 percent and on mineral and vitamin premixes from 15 percent to 5 percent for manufacturing of aquatic feed is expected to reduce cost of feed, promote domestic feed including and to substantially improve export competitive of Indian shrimps.

Budget FY 2023-24 for Department of Fisheries