Kochi: Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying (FAHD), SP Singh Baghel, emphasised the Government of India’s commitment to improving the country’s fisheries sector. He highlighted that the government prioritises boosting fish production, enhancing the livelihood of fishers and farming communities, and modernising infrastructure.
Speaking at an interactive meeting held at the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) in Kochi on Sunday during his visit to Kerala, Baghel reviewed the activities of the institutes in the state. He also visited the Central Institute of Fisheries Nautical and Engineering Training (CIFNET).
“Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) actively provides subsidies and financial assistance for various activities such as fish hatcheries, fish processing units, and the introduction of modern fishing technologies. A sum of Rs. 1148.88 crore has been released to support the country’s fisheries sector under this scheme. India’s fish production is targeted to reach 22 million tonnes by 2024-25,” the minister said.
You may also like to read – FMD vaccination in pastoral sheep and goat to be extended across India: Rajiv Ranjan Singh
To facilitate investments in the sector, the government issued 301,309 Kisan Credit Cards (KCCs) to fishermen and fish farmers until March 2024. These KCCs come with a sanctioned credit of Rs. 2121.29 crore, enabling fishers to invest in necessary equipment, boats, and modern aquaculture facilities. This has led to increased productivity and improved incomes for the fishing community.
The MoS also highlighted the importance of mariculture as an emerging subsector of the Blue Economy. He explained that sea cage farming of finfishes, seaweed farming, and Integrated Multitrophic Aquaculture (IMTA) Systems offer the fish farming community opportunities to improve their livelihoods. In addition, entrepreneurial ventures in farming and seed production areas present promising prospects.
Referring to the government’s commitment to improving infrastructure in the sector, Baghel mentioned that the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FAIDF) supports the creation of modern infrastructure facilities. These include state-of-the-art fish landing centres, cold storage facilities, and fish processing units, benefitting approximately 3.3 lakh fishermen. “This has helped reduce post-harvest losses and ensure the quality and availability of fish in the market,” he added.
You may also like to read – India’s seafood exports reach all-time high by volume in FY 2023-24
The minister applauded CMFRI for its crucial role in advancing the marine fisheries sector through groundbreaking research on marine biodiversity and sustainable marine fisheries. He acknowledged that CMFRI’s community-oriented initiatives have empowered local fishing communities and promoted sustainable practices in the sector.
During his visit, the minister released CMFRI’s specially formulated fish feed ‘Silver Grow’ for use in the cage farming of silver pompano fish and nutraceutical products for use against hypertension and cardiac hypertrophy. He also inaugurated the institute’s newly established molecular taxonomy laboratory, which will characterise marine biodiversity at the species and sub-species levels.
Dr. Grinson George, director of CMFRI; directors of the Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT) and National Institute of Fisheries Post Harvest Technology and Training (NIFPHATT); the Zonal Director of the Fishery Survey of India (FSI); officials from CIFNET, and the Kerala fisheries and animal husbandry departments attended the meeting.
