Union minister for Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Shri Parshottam Rupala briefs the media on 9 years’ key achievements of Department of Fisheries here today. While focusing on Fisheries Sector Union Minister said that in India, this promising sector provides livelihood, employment and entrepreneurship to more than 2.8 crore fishers and fish farmers at the primary level and several lakhs along the value chain. The sector also offers high returns. India is the 3^rd largest fish producing country with around 8% share in global fish production. Globally, India stands 2^nd in aquaculture production and is one of the top shrimp producing and exporting nations. Shri Rupala further said that during last nine years the Government of India has taken transformational initiatives for holistic development of fisheries and aquaculture sector and enhancing incomes of fisher and fish farmers. Union Minister highlighted some of the key initiatives and outcomes as:

1. Highest ever investments in fisheries sector: Shri Rupala informed that during last 9 years, the Government of India has stepped up investments in fisheries and aquaculture sector. From 2015, the central government has approved or announced cumulative investments to the tune of Rs 38,572 crore. These include:

1. Rs. 5,000 crore investment under Blue Revolution Scheme;
2. Rs. 7,522 crore Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF);
3. Rs. 20,050 crore investment under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana;
4. Rs 6,000 crore Sub-scheme under PMMSY, announced in Union Budget 2023-24

Union Minister informed that the Flagship Scheme Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) is under implementation since 2020-21 and it is, by far, the highest ever investment in Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector in the country. Projects worth of Rs 14,656 crore have been approved under PMMSY during the last three years from 2020-21 to 2022-23 for the States/UTs and other implementing agencies, thus ~73% of the envisaged investment has been achieved.

2. Record National Fish Production: Union Minister informed that Fisheries sector commenced purely as a traditional activity at the time of India’s Independence. Over the past seventy-five years, the sector has gradually transformed into a commercial enterprise while maintaining its traditional and small scale character. Since 1950 and till the end of 2021-22, there has been a 22-fold increase in national fish production. During the last 9 years, the annual fish production of India has increased from 95.79 lakh tons (at the end of 2013-14) to an all-time record of 162.48 lakh tons (at the end of 2021-22) i.e. an increase of 66.69 lakh tons. Further, national fish production for the year 2022-23 is also expected to touch or exceed 174 lakh tons (provisional figures), an 81% increase when compared to 2013-14.
3. Doubling of Inland and Aquaculture Production: Shri Rupala said that the Fish production from inland fisheries and aquaculture increased from mere 2.18 lakh tons in 1950-51 to 121.12 lakh tons in 2021-22. The inland fisheries and aquaculture production has doubled as it increased from 61.36 lakh tons at the end of 2013-14 to 121.12 lakh tons at the end of 2021-22. The provisional data compiled for 2022-23 also indicates this sub-sector has added at least 10 lakh tons of fish during the year 2022-23. While it took 63 years for inland fisheries and aquaculture production to reach 61.36 lakh tons, the same quantities have been achieved in last 9 nine years with substantial contribution from aquaculture. These production figures are a magnificent achievement in the endeavour of enhancing aquaculture farmers’ incomes. This also indicates growing interest of youth in fisheries and aquaculture sector as a source of employment, income and entrepreneurship. In fact, as per the FAO-State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2022 (SOFIA,2022), India is the largest inland capture fish producing nation in the world.   
4. Doubling of Seafood Exports: Union Minister informed that the seafood exports of India have more than doubled since 2013-14. While the seafood exports stood at Rs 30,213 crore in 2013-14, the same has increased to Rs. 63,969.14 crore during FY 2022-23 an increase of 111.73% in spite of pandemic imposed challenges in global markets. Today, Indian seafood is exported to 129 countries with largest importer being USA. In fact, the value of the cumulative exports for the 9-year period of 2014-15 to 2022-23 stood at Rs. 3.41 lakh crore as against Rs 1.20 lakh crore for the 9-year preceding 2014-15 i.e. the period 2005-06 to 2013-14.
5. Doubling of Brackish Water Aquaculture Production :Shri Rupala said that  the Brackish Water Aquaculture led by shrimp cultivation is a success story crafted by thousands of diverse small aquaculture farmers around the fulcrum of governmental interventions. In the last 9 years there has been a boom in shrimp cultivation and export especially from the states of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Odisha and Tamil Nadu. The union Minister informed that the shrimp production of the country increased by 267% from 3.22 lakh tons at the end of 2013-14 to a record 11.84 lakh tons (provisional figures) at the end of 2022-23.  Similarly, the shrimp exports have more than doubled with an increase of 123% from Rs. 19,368 crore at the end of 2013-14 to Rs 43,135 crore at the end of 2022-23.
6. Sustained Growth Rate and Increased Contribution of Fisheries Sector in National Gross Value Add (GVA) and Agriculture GVA: Union Minister informed that the The fisheries sector of India has gradually evolved over the years to become an important pillar of socio-economic growth of the nation. The fisheries sector in India has shown a sustained annual average growth rate of 8.61% for the 8-year period from 2014-15 to 2021-22 (at constant prices). During eight-year period from 2014-15 to 2021-22, the GVA of Fisheries Sector has increased from Rs. 76,487 crore in 2013-14 to 1,47,518.87 crore (at constant prices) and from 98,189.64 crore in 2013-14 to 2,88,526.19 crore in 2021-22 (at current prices). The sector contributes 1.069% in the National GVA and 6.86% in Agriculture GVA. In fact, the contribution of fisheries Sector in National GVA has increased from 0.844% at the end of 2013-14 to 1.069% at the end of 2021-22 (at constant prices) and in Agriculture GVA, the contribution of fisheries sector has increased by 44.42% from 4.75% at the end of 2013-14 to 6.86% at the end of in 2021-22 (at constant prices).
7. Institutional Credit through Kisan Credit Card (KCC) for Fishers and Fish farmers:  Shri Rupala informed that the Government of India has  extended the KCC facility to fishers and fish famers from the financial year 2018-19 to help them meet their working capital requirements. Till date, 1,42,458 KCC cards have been issued to fishers and fish farmers. 
8. Focus on creation of Infrastructure in Fishing Harbours (FHs) and Fish Landing Centres (FLCs): Shri Rupala said that Government is focusing on  Fishing Harbours (FHs) and Fish Landing Centres (FLCs) provide safe landing, berthing, loading and unloading facilities for the fishing vessels. Development of modern Fishing Harbours and Fish Landing Centres (FLCs) is vital for the post-harvest operations of the harnessed fishery resources. During the last 9 years, the Government of India approved project proposals for construction/modernization of 13 Fishing Harbours and Fishing Landing Centers under Blue Revolution Scheme at a total project cost of Rs 1423.28 crore; construction/expansion of 46 Fishing Harbours and Fishing Landing Centers of total project cost of Rs 5087.97 crore under Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF); and construction/modernization/maintenance of 48 Fishing Harbours and Fishing Landing Centers under Pradhan Mantri Matysa Sampada Yojana at a total project cost of Rs 2517.04 crore.    
9. Sagar Parikrama Yatra: Shri Rupala while sharing his experience during the  unique fishers outreach program, Sagar Parikrama Yatra since March 2022 through a pre-decided sea route from Gujarat to West Bengal with an aim to cover around 8000 km of India’s coastline. He said that the main objectives of the Yatra are to meet the fishers at their door steps and understand their issues and grievances, promote sustainable fishing and publicise the schemes and programs of the government. Till date, around 3600 km coastline has been covered in 39 locations in 7 phases in Western Coastal States/UTs of Gujarat, Maharastra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Daman and Diu part of the Union Territory Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, and Mahe of Puducherry starting from Mandavi in Gujarat and ending at Virinjam in Kerala. 1.21 lakh fishers participated in person in the meetings and the Yatra has been widely publicised reaching out to several lakhs. The program envisages fostering collaboration and informed decision-making for the betterment of the fisheries sector especially fishermen welfare.
10. Group Accident Insurance Scheme (GAIS) under Pradhan Mantri Matysa Sampada Yojana. Union Minister informed that under PMMSY, fishers, fish farmers, fish workers and persons directly involved in fisheries related allied activities are provided with accidental insurance cover with the entire premium being shared by centre and state governments. Rs 5 lakh in provided against accidental death or permanent disability, Rs 2.5 lakh for accidental permanent partial disability and Rs 25,000 against hospitalization. A total of 29.11 lakh fishers have been enrolled during 2021-22 and 33.21 lakh during 2022-23 under this Scheme. Earlier under Blue Revolution Scheme, the accidental insurance provided was Rs. 2 lakh against death or permanent total disability, Rs.1 lakh against partial permanent disability and Rs. 10,000 towards hospitalization expenses.    
11. Co-operatives and Fish Farmers Producers Organizations (FFPOs): Shri Rupala said that with the objective of promoting collectivization and enhancing the bargaining power of Fisheries Co-operatives and Fish Farmers Producers Organizations (FFPOs), efforts are being made for strengthening them. Implementing Agencies such as SFAC, NAFED, NCDC and NFDB have envisioned the formation and development of a total of 2192 FFPOs. To support this initiative, an outlay of Rs 541.35 crore has been allocated under PMMSY.   
12. National Roll out of Vessel Communication and Support System on Marine Fishing Vessels for Safety of Fishermen at sea: Shri Rupala informed that the Government of India, under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, approved Rs 364 crore for installing satellite-based Vessel Communication and Support System on one lakh fishing vessels for implementation through New Space India Limited, a Central PSU under the Department of Space, Government of India. The technology has been indigenously developed by ISRO, Department of Space. These devices will ensure the safety and security of fishermen at sea, enabling them to stay connected with their families and seek assistance during cyclones and storms and while fishing near international borders. The entire cost of this initiative will be borne by the central and state governments, with the devices provided free of cost to the fishermen. This transformative project for the welfare of traditional fishermen is an Aatma Nirbhar Bharat initiative would be completed in next 18 months.

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