12-Jun-2023: Inland fish production increased from 28.23 lakh tonnes per year in 2000-01 to 121.21 lakh tonnes per year in 2021-22
"Sagar Parikrama" is a transformative voyage planned in the water across the coastal belt to show solidarity with the fisher folk, fish farmers, and related stakeholders in the spirit of the 75th Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, which honors our brave freedom fighters, sailors, and fishers. It is a Government of India’s initiative aimed at resolving the issues of fishers and other stakeholders and facilitating their economic and overall upliftment through various schemes and programmes of fisheries implemented by the Government of India, such as Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY),FIDF and KCC.
The expansion of inland fish production, primarily driven by aquaculture, has been spectacular. Inland fish production increased 400 percent from 28.23 lakh tonnes per year in 2000-01 to 121.21 lakh tonnes per year in 2021-22.Sagar Parikrama Yatra Phase VII which started from 8th June 2023 from Madakkara, Kerala, and covered the places are like Pallikkara, Bekal, Kanhangadu, Kasaragode, touched Mahe (Puducherry), Kozhikode district on 9th June 2023, Thrissur district of Kerala on 10th June 2023, reached cochin on 11th June 2023 and has concluded today at Trivandrum by covering entire coastal regions of Kerala.
Sagar Parikrama Yatra Phase VII was a great success as it continued for five days starting from 8th June to 12th June 202 with an aim to facilitate interaction with fishermen, coastal communities and stakeholders so as to disseminate information of various fisheries related schemes and programs being implemented by the Government; demonstrating solidarity with all fisher folk, fish farmers and concerned stakeholder as a spirit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and to promote responsible fisheries with focus on sustainable balance between the utilization of marine fisheries resources for food security of nation and livelihoods of coastal fisher communities.
First day program was commenced from 8th June 2023 by Hon'ble Shri. Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying. Dignitaries visited different locations like Mussel Culture site, Madakkara, Pallikara Fishermen Colony, Kanhangadu, Kasaragod Town Hall. Hon'ble Shri. Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and other public authorities interacted with beneficiaries such as fish farmers, fishermen at various locations and beneficiaries highlighted their issues like replenishment as well as appraised for the tremendous contribution that KCC and PMMSY scheme has brought in the life of fishermen and fishing community.
Hon'ble Shri. Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying emphasized about focusing on increasing fisheries production, productivity, and its associated activities, including infrastructure development, marketing, exports, and institutional arrangements, etc. Further, beneficiaries are like fishermen, fish farmers and other stakeholders were felicitated with Kisan Credit Card and QR Code Aadhar Card/E-Shram Card. In all around approx. 5,000 fishermen, various fisheries stakeholders, scholars participated in the Sagar Parikrama Phase VII program from different places.
Second day programme started from 9th June 2023. Dignitaries visited other places of Kozhikode district like Beypore Fishing Harbour, Samudra Auditorium. Kozhikode etc.
Third day programme continued on 10th June 2023. Hon'ble Shri. Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, GoI discussed the issues and its development opportunities with local people representatives, various applications have been received from beneficiaries to strengthen the fisheries ecosystem. He has also shared his opinion that carrying out the PMMSY scheme activities shall have a significant impact on the fisheries sector in India, aims to enhance the production and productivity of fish through the adoption of modern technology and scientific methods of fishing and aquaculture.
Shri Abhilaksh Likhi, IAS, OSD (Fisheries), Government of India informed the major initiatives have been taken such as initiatives of KCC camps, setting up team of technical officers for inspection of various infrastructure facilities. Also, 62 KCC camps were organized of which 744 KCC cards have been issued, 178 post harvesting facilities have been sanctioned. It was informed that various fishing harbours have been launched, along with several projects such as expansion of fishing harbour, upgradation of Biofloc unit, ornamental fishing, deep sea fishing vessel, cage water culture have been considered for improving the livelihood and strengthening fisheries ecosystem. Further, beneficiaries are like fishermen, fish farmers and other stakeholders were felicitated with Kisan Credit Card and QR Code Aadhar Card/E-Shram Card. In all around approx. 4,000 fishermen, various fisheries stakeholders, scholars participated in the Sagar Parikrama Phase VII program from different places.
Fourth day Program was held on 11th June 2023 and covered various location from Cochin district of Kerala like Samudrika Hall, Willingdon Auditorium, Cochin Port Authority, Cochin Fishing Harbour (Thoppumpady), Thottappally Fishing Harbour. Hon'ble Shri. Parshottam Rupala interacted with beneficiaries, fish farmers, fishermen present at Cochin Fishing Harbour, Thottappally Fishing Harbour. He was very pleased that an interactive session helped fishermen, fish farmers to share their ground realities, experiences and to come out with their issues being faced. He thanked fishermen, fish farmers, beneficiaries, coast guard officers for sharing their suggestion for enhancing fisheries sector development.
In all around approx. 3,500 fishermen, various fisheries stakeholders, scholars participated in the Sagar Parikrama Phase VII program from different places.
The fifth day journey of Sagar Parikrama Phase VII continued 12th June 2023. In all around today approx. 4,500 fishermen, various fisheries stakeholders, scholars attended physically the Sagar Parikrama Phase VII program from different places of which approx. 2800 fisherwomen participated, and the program were live streamed on various social media platforms such as YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook.
Overall, approx. 21,500 beneficiaries such as fishermen, fish farmers, fisher women and other stakeholders contributed and participated in Sagar Parikrama Phase VII during 5 days from across entire coastal region of Kerala. Sagar Parikrama is contributing to disseminate information on fisheries related schemes/programs implemented by government, showcasing the best practices, promote responsible fisheries and demonstrate solidarity with all fisherfolks and concerned stakeholders. Also, the interaction with fishers, fishermen and other stakeholders is helping to understand the problems and concerns in the fisheries sector at ground level. Upcoming Sagar Parikrama phases will inspire and create impactful effort to address the concerns of fishermen and encourage them in availing various schemes including PMMSY and KCC for their betterment.
21-Mar-2023: India stands third in world in terms of fish production
India stands third in the world in terms of fish production. The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has taken several initiatives for development of fisheries and attract farmers towards fisheries along with agriculture to increase their income through its various schemes namely (i) implementation of Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) - Blue Revolution: Integrated Development and Management of Fisheries for a period of 5 years from 2015-16 to 2019-20 (ii) Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) with effect from the financial year 2020-21 to 2024-25 in all States/Union Territories (iii) Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) with a total fund size of Rs 7522.48 crore implemented for a period of 5 years from 2018-19 to 2023-24 for providing concessional finance, (iv) issuance of Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) to fishers and fish farmers.
PMMSY implemented inter-alia envisages fisheries developmental activities namely construction ponds, Re-circulatory Aquaculture System (RAS), inland cages, sea cages, finfish hatcheries, deep sea fishing vessels, Biofloc units, ornamental fish rearing units, seaweed rafts, monoline tubes for seaweed cultivation, integrated fish farming, Fishing Harbours/Fish Landing Centres, ice plants/cold storages, fish feed mill/plants, fish transportation facilities, retail markets, disease diagnostic centre & quality testing labs, aquatic referral labs, Sagar Mitras, livelihood & nutritional support to fishers during ban/lean period. These activities significantly contribute towards enhancing fish production, doubling fishers and fish farmers income and generation of employment.
Under PMMSY, financial assistance is provided to various States/UTs for taking up fisheries developmental activities. During last two years i.e. 2020-21 & 2021-22 and current financial year 2022-23, Department of Fisheries, Government of India under PMMSY has accorded approval to the fisheries developmental proposal of States/UTs amounting to Rs. 11010.00 crore with central share of Rs. 3864.99 crore. Further, the Department through National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) is providing grant for taking up various training programmes in fisheries in collaboration with States/UTs, Quasi-government organizations involved in fisheries sector, National and Regional level institutions, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), Farmers Training Centres (FTCs), Universities, Colleges of Fisheries and other Academic institutions.