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

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 2^nd largest fish producing country with around 8% share in global fish production. Globally, India also stands at 2^nd in aquaculture production, is one of the top mp producing and exporting nations and 3^rd 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.

Adoption and popularisation of Technology Infusion: Under PMMSY, special focus has been laid on efficient and intensive farming technologies like biofloc and Recirculatory Aquaculture system (RAS), pen and cage culture. These technologies aim to reducing cost of production while enhancing production and productivity, a total of 52,058 reservoir cages, 12,081Re-circulatory Aquaculture Systems (RAS),4,205Biofloc units, 1,525 open sea cages and 543.7 hectares pens in reservoirs have been sanctioned during the last 4 years.

Aquaculture in land-locked areas was uncommon in the past however, schemes and programs launched by DoF (GoI) have incentivised entrepreneurs to take up fisheries as means of their primary occupation. For this, 23,285.06 hectares of pond area for inland aquaculture, 3,159.39 hectares of pond area under Saline-alkaline for conversion of ‘waste lands to wealth land’, 3,882 hectares of freshwater biofloc pond culture, 1,580.86 hectares of pond area sanctioned to be brought under brackish water aquaculture.

For better health management NASPAAD 2.0, establishment of 31 mobile centres and testing labs, 19 disease diagnostics centers, 6 aquatic referral labs have been approved and RIFD disease app has been launched. For ensuring availability and accessibility of quality seed and broodstock, 5 Brood Multiplication Centers (BMCs) by private players, 820 inland and marine hatcheries and 23 brood banks have been approved under PMMSY while the distribution network is being strengthened. For species diversification in the production system, efforts have been made to revive production of indigenous species such as P. monodon, Scampi, P. indicus, Jayanti Rohu etc. while non-indigenous species such as L. vannamei, GIFT Tilapia have been domesticated for culture. As a result, productivity has been increased to average of 5 tons/ Ha and DoF (GoI) targets to increase it to 6.5 tons/Ha in next five years.

Species Diversification: AatmaNirbhar Bharat Initiative: In order to address this issue and march towards self-reliance in this area, the Department has launched a National project for Genetic Improvement of Penaeus indicus (Indian White mp) through ICAR-CIBA, Domestication of Tiger mp and Nucleus Breeding Centre for Penaeus monodon”has being undertaken in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Anational project on genetic improvement of Scampi has been initiated through ICAR-CIFA. In order to address diseases in mp, a SPF-Polychaete program has been approved to RGCA-MPEDA. Government of Kerala has been supported for genetic improvement project on Karimeen.

Recognizing diverse topographies, fisheries’ resources and cultural aspects, the government implemented region-specific aquaculture technologies such as development of trouts in the Himalayan region, integrated fish farming and beels in NER etc. For development of cold-water fisheries, a total of 3,617.99 hectares of pond areas, 61 trout hatcheries, 5,711 raceways and 60 RAS have been approved whilst projects with an investment of Rs 1,608.44 crore have been approved for development of NER.

In order to support avenues for alternate livelihood, ornamental fisheries and bivalve (mussels, clams, pearl etc.) cultivation are also being promoted. 2,672 rearing and integrated ornamental fish units and 2,307 bivalve cultivation units have been approved.

Seaweed Park in Tamil Nadu: To harness the potential of seaweed farming and provide additional livelihoods to coastal communities especially fisherwomen, the Government of India has approved the Establishment of a Multipurpose Seaweed Park in Tamil Nadu with an investment of Rs 127.71 crore. This initiative aims to support seaweed farmers with high-quality planting materials for seaweed farming, foster product innovation through a dedicated lab, ensure quality testing of water and seaweed products, and provide comprehensive support to entrepreneurs and processors. Additionally, 65,480 monoline/tube nets and 47,245 rafts have been sanctioned across coastal states and union territories, further promoting seaweed cultivation as an additional source of livelihood. In addition, to strengthen fisheries’ value chains, Integrated Aquapark in states of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Tripura and Uttarakhand have also been approved with an investment of Rs 640.25 crore.

For strengthening the post-harvest infrastructure, 6,694 fish kiosks, 1,091 fish feed mills and plants, 634 ice plants/ cold storages, 202 fish retail markets, 108value added enterprises, 20 modern wholesale markets, have been sanctioned. For providing logistics infrastructure and supporting the small and marginal farmers, 27,189 units of fish transportation facilities including motorcycles/ bicycles with ice box, auto rickshaws, refrigerated and insulated trucks and live fish vending centers have been approved.

Installing Artificial Reefs and Sea Ranching for enhancing fish stocks: under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, the Department has approved a project for installation of artificial reefs for rebuilding fish stocks and sea ranching in Coastal States/UTs for enhancing the fish availability to artisanal and small-scale fishermen. Till date installation of 937 artificial reefs have been approved at a project cost of Rs. 291.37 crore in the states/UTs of AP, Gujarat, Lakshadweep, Karnataka, Odisha, Maharashtra, Goa, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal.

Group Accident Insurance Scheme (GAIS) under Pradhan Mantri Matysa Sampada Yojana: Insurance coverage of Rs 5 lakh in provided against accidental death or permanent disability, Rs 2.5 lakh for accidental permanent partial disability and Rs 25,000 against hospitalization. . Earlier under Blue Revolution Scheme, the accidental insurance provided was Rs. 2 lakh against death or permanent total disability, Rs.1 lakh against partial permanent disability and Rs. 10,000 towards hospitalization expenses. During the last four years (2021-22 to 2023-24) and current financial year (2024-25) of implementation of PMMSY, DoF (GoI) has released a sum of Rs.64.50 crore for insurance coverage of 131.30 lakh fishers with an average of 32.82 lakh fishers annually. As a result, 874 claims have so far been settled against the 1438 claim proposal received with the claim settled amount of Rs.40.30 crore

Livelihood and Nutritional support during annual fishing ban/lean period: Under PMMSY, Government extends livelihood and nutritional support during annual fishing ban/lean period. During the last four years (2020-21 to 2023-24) and current financial year(2024-25) of the implementation of PMMS, an average 5.94 lakh fishers were provided livelihood and Nutritional support annually a total outlay of Rs. 1,384.79 crore involving Central share of Rs. 490.84crore.

Co-operatives and Fish Farmers Producers Organizations (FFPOs): With the objective of promoting collectivization and enhancing the bargaining power of Fisheries Co-operatives and Fish Farmers Producers Organizations (FFPOs), efforts are being made for strengthening them. Implementing Agencies such as SFAC, NAFED, NCDC and NFDB have been engaged for the establishment and strengthening of a total of 2195 FFPOs under PMMSY.  

Coastal Aquaculture Authority (Amendment) Act, 2023 and CAA Rules, 2024 was a significant step towards bringing reforms in the coastal aquaculture sector in India with the objectives to promote ease of doing business by simplifying regulatory regime, foster environmentally sustainable aquaculture practices, and encourage diversification in the sector. Key provisions of the amendment include clarification of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) regulations to permit coastal aquaculture activities, particularly aiming to support small aquaculture farmers. It promotes newer, environmentally friendly forms of coastal aquaculture, such as sea-cage culture and seaweed culture, to stimulate revenue generation and employment opportunities and introduces global best practices promoting safe aquaculture products to enhance sustainability and competitiveness.

Ease of Doing Business (EODB) initiatives:  The Department of Fisheries has done away with the requirement of obtaining Sanitary Import Permit (SIP) by mp hatcheries from DoF (GoI) for import of mp Brood Stock from Coastal Aquaculture Authority (CAA) approved overseas suppliers. This has enormously benefited hundreds of mp hatcheries in the country as they are no longer required to travel to Delhi to obtain permissions leading to saving of cost and time. The issuance of registration certificate by the Coastal Aquaculture Authority has been made downloadable online. For enabling Ease of Doing Business and facilitate quick expansion of Tilapia farming, the Department delegated the power of issuance of permissions for establishment and operation of Tilapia hatcheries to State/UT Governments in case the brood stock is sourced from approved sources in India. 

National Roll out of Communication and Support System on Marine Fishing Vessels for Safety of Fishermen at sea: Minister launched the National Rollout of the Vessel Communication and Support System with an investment of Rs 364 crore under PMMSY, for installation of transponders on 100,000 fishing vessels across 13 coastal states and UTs free of cost. The technology has been indigenously developed by ISRO, Department of Space. These devices will ensure the safety and security of fishermen at sea, enabling them to stay connected with their families, seek assistance during cyclones and storms and receive alerts while fishing near international borders. The entire cost of this initiative will be borne by the central and state governments, with the devices provided free of cost to the fishermen.

A scheme Pradhan Mantri Matsya Samridhi Sah Yojana (PM-MKSSY) with an outlay of Rs 6000 crore was approved in February 2024 and aims to support formalization of the unorganized fisheries sector by creating a National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP) for providing work-based identifies, fish farmers, fish vendors including the fisheries sector microenterprises and small enterprises by 2025. NFDP was launched and Operational Guidelines on PM-MKSSY was unveiled on 11^th Sep 2024 on occasion of 4^th anniversary of PMMSY. PM-MKSSY, through NFDP, will also facilitate access and incentivize uptake of institutional credit, purchase of aquaculture insurance, strengthen co-operatives to become FFPOs, adoption of traceability,performance grant for adoption of practices that will bring in value-chain efficiencies and safety and quality assurance and job creation.

DoF (GoI) is also party to multiple international fora to forge regional partnerships, sustainability, trade and negotiations to international co-operation and leadership. India through DoF, GoI participating as Lead Partnering Country (LPC) in IMO-FAO: “The GloLitter” Partnerships Project with the objectives to prevent and reduce marine litter within the fisheries and shipping sectors and identify opportunities for the reduction of plastic uses in both the sectors, with emphasis on fisheries sector. Under the GloLitter Partnerships Project in February 2024, India published its National Action Plan (NAP: 2024-2026) for management and prevention of Sea-Based Marine Plastic Litter (SBMPL).

Sagar Parikrama Yatra: A unique fishers outreach program namely Sagar Parikrama Yatra led by Union Minister, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying is being undertaken since March 2022 through a pre-decided sea route from Gujarat to West Bengal with an aim to cover around 8000 km of India’s coastline. The main objectives of the Yatra are to meet the fishers at their door-steps and understand their issues and grievances, have first-hand feedback to make the pragmatic policy decisions, promote sustainable fishing and publicize the schemes and programs of the government. The 44-days dedicated journey in 12 coastal states/UTs covered, 80 coastal districts out of 82 districts, 3071 fishing villages out of 3477 and coastal length of 7986 Km out of 8118 Km.

As a result of the above efforts, various on-ground success stories in the fisheries sector have been demonstrated that are expected to encourage other value chain stakeholders, women, youth, and new entrants to expand the sector. The Department aims to scale up current initiatives to accomplish newer heights under the Viksit Bharat@2047 plan by surpassing PMMSY targets of FY 2024-25 and achieving fish production of more than 200 lakh tons in 2030 and more than 400 lakh tons in 2047.  Similarly, the Global Fisheries exports share is envisaged at >5% by 2030 and >8% by 2047. This is expected to further enhance use of current technology and resource potential by expanding area and number of units under cultivation for mariculture, cage culture, RAS, biofloc, seaweed cultivation, ornamental fisheries, marketing facilities, cold storages, artificial reefs etc. while enhancing network of genetic improvement programmes and hatcheries for species diversification and quality brood and seed access to credit among others.

In line with the Viksit Bharat@2047 plan, the Department has chalked out its 5-year priority plans and activities that give the required focus and fillip to the sector. Many new initiatives have been launched and announced in the past 1 month to mark the occasion of 100 days of the current Government.

These planned initiative shave been supported at the apex level of that of Hon’ble PM as he graced the event in Palghar (Maharashtra) on 30^th Aug 2024 and inaugurated and laid foundation stone of multiple development projects worth ~Rs 1200 crore and launched the National Roll out of Vessel Communication and Support System with an investment of Rs 364 crore.