Stakeholder Consultation on Fisheries Export Promotion to Boost India's Blue Economy

Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh will lead a stakeholder consultation on fisheries export promotion in Vishakhapatnam on September 6, focusing on marine product farming and value chain enhancement. The initiative aims to foster collaboration, sustainable growth, and innovation in India's fisheries sector, benefiting coastal communities and boosting seafood exports.

Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, Rajiv Ranjan Singh, will spearhead a Stakeholder Consultation on Fisheries Export Promotion in Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, on September 6. Organized by the Department of Fisheries, the consultation aims to enhance marine product farming and the value chain, as per the Ministry of Fisheries.

Ministers of State Professor SP Singh Baghel and George Kurian, along with senior officials from various ministries, will be in attendance. The fisheries sector, a crucial part of India's economy, supports exports, food security, and the livelihoods of approximately 30 million individuals, mainly from marginalized communities.

India stands as the world's second-largest fish producer, achieving a record production of 17.5 million tons in 2022-23, representing 8 percent of global output. The sector contributes 1.09 percent to India's Gross Value Added (GVA) and over 6.724 percent to agricultural GVA, underscoring its economic significance. With substantial growth potential, the sector necessitates focused policy and financial support for sustainable development.

The Indian government has catalyzed transformative changes in the fisheries sector through initiatives like PMMSY, FIDF, the Blue Revolution, and PMMKSSY, investing a historic Rs 38,572 crore since 2015. These measures have facilitated India's rise as the second-largest fish producer globally. Despite challenges, India's seafood exports reached unprecedented heights in 2023-24, with 1.78 million tons shipped, valued at Rs 60,523.89 crore. In the past decade, marine product cultivation and exports have surged, with export values more than doubling from Rs 19,368 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 40,013.54 crore in 2023-24, reflecting an average annual growth rate of 14 percent.

The consultation seeks to bolster collaboration among fish farmers, industry leaders, policymakers, seafood exporters, and researchers. Emphasis will be placed on innovation, sustainability, and value addition to enhance India's standing in the global seafood market while promoting growth among coastal communities. Discussions will cover best practices, sustainable aquaculture technologies, and infrastructure improvements to boost productivity, ensure food safety, and improve traceability in the seafood export value chain. Additionally, the event will focus on expanding India's global seafood export footprint and enhancing the livelihoods of fishers and coastal inhabitants.

This initiative reaffirms the government's dedication to elevating the fisheries sector as a key economic contributor and livelihood source for millions. Through collaborative and inclusive measures, the government aims to fortify resilience and advance the nation's blue economy.

(With inputs from agencies.)