Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Welfare schemes – Fishermen communities
General studies 3
Issues related to Fisheries Sector
In News: Constituting about 7.73% of the global fish production and export earnings of Rs.46,589 Crores (2018-19), India today has attained the status of the second largest aquaculture and 4th largest fish exporting nation in the world.
The ‘fisheries and aquaculture sector’ is recognized as the sunshine sector in Indian agriculture.
Fishery is a State subject.
The Union Cabinet has approved the Rs 20,050-crore Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) to bring about Blue Revolution through sustainable development of fisheries sector over next five years.
Augment fish production and productivity at a sustained average annual growth rate of about 9% to achieve a target of 22 million tonne by FY25 through sustainable and responsible fishing practices
The government also aims to double the income of fishers, fish farmers and fish workers by 2024 through the scheme – Targets creating additional direct employment of 15 lakh fishers, fish farmers, fish workers, fish vendors in fishing and allied activities and 45 lakh indirect employment
Increase aquaculture average productivity to 5 tons per hectare from the current national average of 3 tons per hectare.
Address critical gaps in the value chain, including infrastructure, modernisation, traceability, production, productivity, post-harvest management, and quality control
Focus areas include Fishing Harbours and Landing Centers, Post-harvest and Cold Chain Infrastructure, Fish Markets and Marketing Infrastructure, Integrated Modern Coastal Fishing Villages and Development of Deep-sea Fishing.
The Need: It is a scheme to bring Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of fisheries sector in India.
Fisheries and aquaculture are an important source of food, nutrition, employment and income in India.
The sector provides livelihood to more than 20 million fishers and fish farmers at the primary level and twice the number along the value chain.
Fish being an affordable and rich source of animal protein, is one of the healthiest options to reduce hunger and malnutrition.
The scheme intends to address:
Lack of accurate data on assessment of fishery resources and their potential in terms of fish production
Critical gaps in fish production and productivity; Low yield optimisation; Harvest and post-harvest operations
Modernization and strengthening of value chain
Landing and berthing facilities for fishing vessels
Establishing a robust fisheries management framework and fishers’ welfare
Sanitary and phyto-sanitary matters
Welfare of fishermen
Aims and objectives
Enhancing fish production and productivity through expansion, intensification, etc.
Reduce post-harvest losses from the present high of 25% to about 10% by modernizing and strengthening value chain
Modernizing and strengthening of value chain – post-harvest management and quality improvement as well as standards and traceability in fisheries sector from ‘catch to consumer’
Doubling fishers and fish farmers’ incomes and generation of employment
Activities like Mariculture, Seaweed cultivation and Ornamental Fisheries having potential to generate huge employment especially for rural women will be promoted.
Underlining the need to enhance domestic fish consumption with corresponding health benefits, the Government will register “Sagar Mitra” and encourage formation of Fish Farmers Producer Organizations (FFPOs) to help achieve the PMMSY goals.
Youth will be engaged in fisheries extension by creation of 3477 Sagar Mitras in coastal fisher villages.
Large number of Fisheries Extension Services Centers will be set up in private space to create job opportunities to young professionals.
Enhancing contribution to Agriculture Gross Value Addition and fisheries export competitiveness.
Create a conducive environment for private sector participation, development of entrepreneurship, business models, promotion of ease of doing business, innovations and innovative project activities including start-ups, incubators etc. in fisheries sector.
Being a fisher centric umbrella scheme, fishers, fish farmers, fish workers and fish vendors are the key stakeholders in the developmental activities envisaged and enhancement of their socio-economic status is one the core objectives of this scheme.
Robust fisheries management and regulatory framework
Under the Swath Sagar plan, activities envisaged with a view to modernize the fisheries sector include promotion of Bio-toilets, Insurance coverage for fishing vessels, Fisheries Management Plans, E-Trading/Marketing, Fishers and resources survey and creation of National IT-based databases.
Focus on several new activities and areas such as Traceability, Certification and Accreditation, Aquaculture in saline/alkaline areas, Genetic improvement programmes and Nucleus Breeding Centres, Fisheries and Aquaculture start-ups, promotional activities for fish consumption, branding, GI in fish, Integrated Aqua parks, Integrated coastal fishing villages development, State-of-art wholesale fish markets, Aquatic Referral Laboratories, Aquaculture Extension Services, Biofloc, support for new/upgradation of fishing boats, disease diagnostic and quality testing labs, Organic Aquaculture Promotion and Certification and Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ) devices.
Earlier Initiatives taken by the present Government
Creation of a separate Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying in the Union Government
Setting up a new and dedicated Department of Fisheries with independent administrative structure
Implementation of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme on Blue Revolution: Integrated Development and Management of Fisheries during the period 2015-16 to 2019-20 with a central outlay of Rs. 3,000 crore
Creation of Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) during 2018-19 with a fund size of Rs. 7,522.48 crore
Launching of PMMSY with an investment of Rs. 20,050 crore, the scheme with highest ever investment for fisheries sector.
What else can be done?
Government needs to lay special thrust on increasing productivity in inland fisheries along with full utilisation of the country’s deep sea fishing potential.
Technology needs to be leveraged at every step and role of logistics cannot be ignored. A robust logistics support requires complementary infrastructural facilities like cold chain and storage facilities to handle peak harvests. Creation of cold chains can help reduce spoilage losses which are currently at 30-35 per cent. Marketing infrastructure and cloud-based market intelligence should also be put in place.
Under social security, accidental insurance of fishers should be enhanced from Rs 2 lakh to more.
Fish markets —both wholesale and retail —need to be modernised and Safal-type (Mother Dairy’s fruits and vegetable stores) retail outlets could be opened up in cities
Connecting the Dots:
Examine the bottlenecks associated with the current Fisheries Sector in India. Also suggest ways to address them.
Fishing and fishermen communities are closely aligned with farming and are crucial to rural India. Examine.
What is Rainbow Revolution? What are its primary objectives? Discuss.
