Transformative contribution of fisheries sector to India’s economy: Parshottam Rupala

For giving fresh impetus to deliverables under the flagship Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana(PMMSY) seven major field studies are being carried out by the autonomous body, National Productivity Council (NPC). While speaking at an occasion held at NPC headquarters in New Delhi, to launch these interventions under PMMSY, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri ParshottamRupala said, “PMMSY has proved to be transformative in boosting the contribution of fisheries sector to country’s GDP. Innovative and proactive measures by the Government of India along with stakeholders is bringing about a new blue revolution. The new field studies by NPC would help the Department further strengthen its mechanisms of delivery.”

Union Minister informed that the major field studies would be undertaken in seven areas such as (i)Best practices in fish marketing system of Andhra Pradesh and dissemination through workshop; (ii) Agro-climatic zone-specific mapping of innovative fishing Practices for enhancing Production and Productivity in Upper Gangetic Plain Region; (iii) Design improvement in storage containers used in supply chain for inland and marine fishes by vendors; (iv) Improvement in fish marketing infrastructure of Ghazipur and Howrah fish markets; (v) Evaluation of RAS and Biofloc technologies and their dissemination through workshop; (vi) Strengthen monitoring mechanism of implementation of PMMSY and (vii) Assessment of post harvest losses in inland and marine fisheries and to suggest measures to minimize these losses. NPC would complete the field studies in about nine months.

Shri Rupala further added that “while aiming at enhancing production and productivity, the PMMSY offers a wide range of activities for the benefit of fishers, fish farmers, youth, women, entrepreneurs etc. The Scheme has facilitated cluster development, economies of scale, enhancing competitiveness of fisheries sector, generation of higher incomes to the stakeholders, etc. While accelerating growth and expansion of the sector in an organized manner, the PMMSY has created a conducive environment for development of entrepreneurship and encourage private sector participation”.

Union Minister said that the Govt. has provided financial assistance under PMMSY to individual and groups engaged in fishing industry and to build critical infrastructure and supply chain to support the industry and PMMSY has received overwhelming responses from states/UTs and projects of value Rs. 14659.12 Crores have been approved by the Govt. till 31.03.2023.

PMMSY is being implemented by the Department of Fisheries (DoF), Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (FAHD), Government of India. PMMSY is a scheme to bring about Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of fisheries sector in the country at an estimated investment of Rs. 20,050 crores. PMMSY is being implemented in all the States and Union Territories since FY 2020-21. It is designed to address critical gaps in the fisheries value chain from fish production, productivity and quality to technology, post-harvest infrastructure and marketing.

Speaking at the occasion, Sundeep Nayak, NPC Director General said that India was the second largest aqua-resources producing country and figured among the top fish exporting countries. About 17% of agricultural exports of Indiaisfrom fish and fish products. The fisheries sector provides livelihood to more than 2.8 crores of fishers and fish farmers at the primary level and several more along the fisheries value chain. PMMSY offers a wide range of activities for the benefit of fishers, fish farmers, youth, women, entrepreneurs, etc. The scheme has facilitated cluster development, economies of scale, enhancing competitiveness of fisheries sector and generation of higher income for the stakeholders. While accelerating growth and expansion of the sector in an organised manner, PMMSY has created a conducive environment for development of entrepreneurship and encourage private sector participation.

Set up in 1958, the National Productivity Council (NPC) is an autonomous organization under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India. NPC has been entrusted with major field studies under PMMSY for boosting the value to the stakeholders from the scheme.

Shri Parshottam Rupala, Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry& Dairying launched the major field studies entrusted to NPCat NPC Headquarters in New Delhi in presence of Shri Jatindra Nath Swain, Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Shri Sundeep Kumar Nayak, Director General NPCand Dr.AbhilakshLikhi,OSD, Department of Fisheries and others.  

(With Inputs from PIB)