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The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India is celebrating the ‘World Fisheries Day’ on 21^st November 2020 at NASC Complex, Pusa, New Delhi. The Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri Pratap Chandra Sarangi, will be the Chief Guest at the occasion. Shri Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary, Minister for Dairy Development, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, Government of Uttar Pradesh is coming to receive the award on behalf of Uttar Pradesh, awarded as best performing State in inland fisheries sector and Dr. Rajeev Ranjan, Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Government of India, will grace the occasion. The fishers, fish farmers, entrepreneurs, stakeholders, professionals, officials and Scientist from across the nation will also be participating in the event.

During the event, for the first time in Fisheries Sector the Government of India will award best performing States for 2019-20 namely, Odisha (amongst Marine states), Uttar Pradesh (amongst Inland states) and Assam (amongst Hilly and NE states). The Govt. of India will also award best Organisations for 2019-20 [Tamil Nadu Fisheries Development Corporation Ltd. (for Marine); Telangana State Fishermen Cooperative societies Federation Ltd (for Inland), and Assam Apex Cooperative Fish Marketing and Processing Federation Ltd. (for Hilly region)]; Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh as best Marine District; Kalahandi, Odisha as best Inland District; Nagaon, Assam as Best Hilly and NE District. Besides, there will be award felicitations to best Fisheries Enterprise; best performing Fisheries Cooperative Societies/FFPOs/SSG and best Individual entrepreneurs; best Marine and Inland Fish Farmer; and best Finfish and Shrimp hatcheries as well, in recognition to their accomplishments in the field and their contribution into the growth of the sector.

World Fisheries Day is celebrated on 21^st November every year to demonstrate solidarity with all fisherfolk, fish farmers and concerned stakeholders throughout the world. It started in 1997 where “World Forum of Fish Harvesters & Fish Workers” met at New Delhi leading to formation of “World Fisheries Forum” with representatives from 18 countries and signed a declaration advocating for a global mandate of sustainable fishing practices and policies. The event aims to draw attention to overfishing, habitat destruction and other serious threats to the sustainability of our marine and inland resources. The celebrations serve to focus on changing the way the world manages global fisheries to ensure sustainable stocks and healthy ecosystems.

The Government of India is in the forefront in transforming the sector and to usher in economic revolution through Blue Revolution in the country. India is leading fish producing country and second major producer of fish through aquaculture in the world. Fisheries sector in India provides direct employment to about 28 million fishers and fish farmers besides meeting the food and nutritional security and foreign exchange earnings. India contributes about 7.7% to the global fish production and country ranks 4^th in global exports of fish products. The sector envisioned to increase the farmers’ income through enhancement of production and productivity, improving the quality and reduction of waste. Taking into account the Centrally Sponsored Scheme “Blue Revolution” which was launched in December, 2015 had made vital contributions towards the development of the sector. The Fisheries sector has contributed about 1.24% to the national GVA and about 7.28% of the agricultural GVA in 2018-19.

This year, on 10^th September, 2020, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched the “Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana” (PMMSY) at an estimated investment of Rs. 20,050 crores for a period of five years, i.e., from 2020-21 to 2024-25. PMMSY aims to achieve fish production to 22 million metric tonnes (MMT) by 2024-25 and also to create an additional employment opportunity to about 55 lakh people. The new scheme provides thrust for infusing new and emerging technologies in fisheries and aquaculture to enhance production and productivity, welfare of fishers and fish farmers, creating a conducive environment for private sector participation, development of entrepreneurship, promotion of ease of doing business, innovations and innovative project activities including start-ups, incubators etc. In addition, the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) which was started in 2018-19 Rs.7,522.48 crores will also cater to creation of fisheries infrastructure facilities both in marine and inland fisheries sectors to augment the fish production in the country. Besides, the Government has also extended to facilities of Kissan Credit Cards (KCC) to fishers and fish farmers to help them in meeting their working capital needs.

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