Friday, 17 May, 2024
By: Yash Gupte
India, which is recognised as the third-largest fish producer in the world, produces 8 percent of the global share of fish production. Image Source: IANS
The first phase of Sagar Parikrama was launched in Gujarat on March 5, 2022 from Mandvi and ended on March 6, 2022 at Porbandar.
The Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying Parshottam Rupala launched the Sagar Parikrama Yatra Phase-VIII from Vizhinjam, Kerala on 31st August 2023 and will continue to cover the eastern coastal states of the country in subsequent phases. First day of Sagar Parikrama-Phase VIII started on 31st August 2023 and covered the coastal areas of Kannyakumari, Tamil Nadu comprising of interaction with beneficiaries at fishing harbours of Thoothoor, Colachel and Muttom and fishing villages of Thoothoor, Vallavilai, Kurumpanai and Vanayakudi. On day two of the program, beneficiaries from the fishing villages of Uvari, Periathalai, and Veerapandiyan Pattinam in the districts of Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi as well as the fishing harbours of Thoothukudi, Tharuvaikulam, and Mookaiyur in the districts of Thoothukudi and Ramanathapuram interacted with the program's attendees.
Parshottam Rupala laid the foundation stone for the construction of the Multi-Purpose Seaweed Park in Tamil Nadu on the third day of the Sagar Parikrama Phase VIII. The seaweed park encourages seaweed farming in 136 fishing villages throughout Tamil Nadu's six coastal districts. The park will promote seaweed farming while simultaneously emphasizing the preservation of marine ecosystems. It will also feature an aquarium that will highlight numerous marine creatures that depend on seaweed for survival.
The first phase of Sagar Parikrama was launched in Gujarat on March 5, 2022 from Mandvi and ended on March 6, 2022 at Porbandar. Phase –II programme started on September 22, 2022 from Mangrol to Veraval and ended at Mul Dwaraka on September 23, 2022 from Mul Dwaraka to Madhwad. Phase III Program of ‘Sagar Parikrama’ started on February 19, 2023 from Surat, Gujarat, and terminated on Feb 21, 2023 at Sasson Dock, Mumbai. The phase IV of the Sagar Parikrama began from the district of Uttar Kannada on March 18, 2023 and ended the next day on March 19 in the Dakshin Kannada, covering 10 locations in three coastal districts.
The primary goals of "Sagar Parikrama" are (i) to facilitate interaction with fishermen, coastal communities, and stakeholders in order to disseminate information about the various fisheries-related schemes and programmes being implemented by the Government; (ii) to show solidarity with all fishermen, fish farmers, and concerned stakeholders in accordance with the spirit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat; and (iii) to promote responsible fisheries with a focus on sustainable balance between the utilisation of marine fisheries resources for food security of nation and livelihoods of coastal fisher communities and (iv) protection of marine ecosystems.
Source: Press Information Bureau
India, which is recognised as the third-largest fish producer in the world, produces 8 percent of the global share of fish production. The nation produces 162.48 lakh tonnes of fish altogether, of which 121.21 lakh tonnes come from inland sources and 41.27 lakh tonnes come from marine sources. In 2021–2022, the value of fisheries exports was Rs 57,586.48 crores. Fisheries sector supports livelihood of over 28 million people in India. Globally, India stands 2nd in aquaculture production and is one of the top shrimp producing and exporting nations.
PMMSY has been approved at the total estimated investment of Rs.20,050 crores comprising of central share of Rs.9,407 crores, state share of Rs.4,880 crores and beneficiaries contribution of Rs.5,763 crores. The table below shows the significant achievements made under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana.
The central government has been maximizing its effort to boost the blue economy and provide new opportunities to the fishermen along the coast. The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) is a scheme launched by the central government for focused and sustainable development of the fisheries sector in the country as a part of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. Recently, Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying in a written reply in Rajya Sabha said that the PMMSY provides insurance coverage to fishers which includes fish workers, fish farmers and any other categories of persons directly involved in fishing and fisheries related allied activities. With a budget of Rs 20,050 crores for a period of five years, PMMSY aims to achieve fish production of 22 million metric tons (MMT) from the current 13.76 MMT by 2024-25 and to create additional employment opportunities for about 55 lakh people.
The Department of Fisheries would get a sum totaling Rs 2248.77 crore, according to an announcement made by Union Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman during the presentation of the budget for FY 2023–2024. It marks an overall increase of 38.45 percent over the budget of FY 2022-23 from the last one and is one of the highest ever annual budgetary support for the Department. She also unveiled a brand-new sub-program called Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY), a central sector sub-program under PMMSY with a targeted investment of Rs 6,000 crore and the goal of boosting further the earnings and incomes of fishers, fish vendors, and micro & small businesses active in the fisheries sector.
Source: Press Information Bureau
The export of seafood products from India has increased from US$ 5957 million in FY 2020-21 to an all-time high record figure of US$ 7759.58 million in FY 2021-22. This has made India the 4th largest exporter of fish and fisheries products, 3rd largest fish producer and 2nd largest aquaculture producer.
Despite hurdles brought on by the pandemic in the worldwide markets, seafood exports climbed from Rs 30,213 crore in 2013–14 to Rs 63,969.14 crore in FY 2022–23, a rise of 111.73 percent. Today, 129 nations import seafood from India, with the United States being the biggest buyer.
The central government must concentrate on the allocation of funds and the timely release of funds to the states in order to achieve the target of 22 MMT fish production by 2024-25. The scheme aims to bring a revolution in the fishing sector in the country by providing direct and indirect employment opportunities and by focusing on the sustainable modernisation of fishing infrastructure but at the same time, central government must ensure timely allocation of funds to the states and generation of employment opportunities.
The nation's 8,118 km of coastline, which spans 9 coastal States and 4 Union Territories, supports the livelihoods of 2.8 million fishermen. India, which is recognised as the third-largest fish producer in the world, produces 8 percent of the global share of fish production. The nation produces 162.48 lakh tonnes of fish altogether, of which 121.21 lakh tonnes come from inland sources and 41.27 lakh tonnes come from marine sources. In 2021–2022, the value of fisheries exports was Rs 57,586.48 crores.
Sagar Parikrama and Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, well-structured schemes if implemented efficiently by the cooperative efforts of the central government and state governments will surely provide a boost to the fishing sector and transform country’s blue economy.
