TAD NewsDesk, New Delhi: The Central government is expecting an investment of $9 billion in the fisheries sector over the next five years. Dr Rajeev Ranjan, Union secretary, ministry of fisheries, made this announcement in ‘e-conference on Innovation for Transforming the Sustainable Marine Economy’ organized by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the ministry of earth science.
A release issued by ICC noted that fisheries export is expected to rise from the current Rs 46,589 crore to Rs 10,00,00 crore by 2024-25.
Dr Ranjan also added that the PM Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) has been designed to achieve this target. To make this possible, ministry of fisheries is expecting to take fish production to 220 lakh tons by 2024-25 from 138 lakh tons at present. This will also help in employment generation from the sector, that is expected to be around 55 lakhs by 2024-25 from around 15 lakhs at present.
He added, “One of the major objectives of PMMSY is to double marine products export to USD 15 billion by 2024”
On the other hand, Dr. Ravi Shankar C.N. Director, ICAR-CIFT, Cochin suggested that fisheries being a state subject, state governments have to come forward proactively to implement the policies that have been brought out by the Central government.
It is important that development is brought to the marine sector now. Dr K.K. Vijayan, Director, Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA) stated that PPP mode of involvement is needed for integrating R&D and aquaculture for transforming the sector. Along with the agriculture sector, it’s important to keep a track of the marine sector because India being covered by water on the three sides makes marine life an important part of the economy.
Source: The Economic Times
