Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Parshottam Rupala along with MoS Dr. L Murugan, on Wednesday, visited and inspected the shrimp food processing unit at Godavari Mega Aqua Food Park of Tundurru village Bhimavaram, Andhra Pradesh on the 3rd day of Sagar Parikrama Yatra Phase-X.
Later, the Yatra reached Antarvedi Palem, Konasema district of Andhra Pradesh. Minister Parshottam Rupala and other officials interacted with beneficiaries present at the event such as fish farmers, fishermen, fisherwomen group representatives, and aqua farmer representatives. Many beneficiaries shared their ground-level experiences with Rupala. They highlighted their issues as well as praised the tremendous contribution that Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) and Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) have introduced in their lives. Rupala felicitated the beneficiaries like fishermen, fish farmers and other stakeholders with the sanction of Kisan Credit Cards.
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Sagar Parikrama Yatra Phase-X Yatra continued and reached Yanam, Union Territory of Puducherry. Here, Union Minister Rupala shared that the upliftment of fishermen; and their economic and social development by understanding their requirements is the key mission of this visit. The visit across the coastal states also aims at understanding the issues of other stakeholders working in the fisheries sector. He said that the Government is conducting a nationwide rural awareness campaign named “Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra” for disseminating information, raising awareness and extending benefits from various schemes including Kisan Credit Cards and PMMSY for beneficiaries.
Further, Parshottam Rupala interacted with and felicitated the beneficiaries and representatives of the coastal region with assets under schemes like PMMSY and KCC. He said that the fishermen have shown keen interest towards highlighting their issues and thanked the dignitaries for creating awareness on schemes and programmes such as PMMSY, Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) and KCC.
Dr. L Murugan also shared his views about improving the quality of life and economic well-being of people in rural areas through the creation of livelihood opportunities in the fisheries sector.
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Taking forward, Parshottam Rupala along with MoS Dr. L Murugan; Minister for Fisheries of Andhra Pradesh, Seediri Appala Raju in the presence of Member of Parliament, V. Geetha; and other public authorities visited Kakinada Fishing Harbour, Andhra Pradesh. Union Minister Rupala interacted with fishermen, fisherwomen, representatives of the mechanised and motorised boat owners’ association, representatives of the dry fish vendors association, and other PMMSY and KCC beneficiaries at Kakinada Fishing Harbour. The minister handed over the the approval letter to Kona Bay India, at Kotapalem, Ranastalam Mandal Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh for operations of the Broodstock Multiplication Centre (BMC) facility. Rupala felicitated beneficiaries with assets such as (boats, and two-wheelers with ice box); distributed cheques and certificates under the entrepreneur model under the PMMSY scheme and sanctioned KCC.
Beneficiaries also recounted their own experiences, highlighted their challenges, and expressed thanks for the massive impact of the KCC and PMMSY schemes on the lives of fishermen and the fishing community. Approximately 7,500 fishermen, fisheries stakeholders, and students travelled from various locations to participate in the Sagar Parikrama Yatra Phase-X programme.
Andhra Pradesh state has potential and diversified water resources with 974 km of coastline. It contributes a great deal to the fish production in the country. Apart from marine fisheries, the state is also popular for inland fishing activities as well.
