Data
- Fisheries sector is a sunrise sector in India.
- It has immense economic potential in India that has a coastline of over 8,000 km, an exclusive economic zone of over 2 million square km, and with extensive freshwater bodies stretching the length and breadth of the nation.
- India is the 3rd largest fish-producing country in the world.
- Contributes 7.93% of global fish production.
- India is the second largest aquaculture fish-producing country in the world.
- It contributes to around one per cent of the national GDP.
- It provides livelihoods to more than 2.8 crore fishers and fish- farmers.
- The country has annual export earnings of over Rs 50,000 crore from the fisheries sector.
Fishery development – government of India’s thrust
- The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) was launched by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
- A dedicated Rs 7,522 crore Fisheries & Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) was created
- Blue Revolution – not only boosting the fish production but also infrastructure development in the fisheries sector.
- The fishery cooperative movement in India – ‘Karla Machhimar Cooperative Society’ in Maharashtra.
- The National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) and FISHCOPFED have been assigned to speed up the work.
- Kausalyaganga at Bhubaneswar is a recognised fisheries hub in the country where FISHCOPFED has a training centre.
- Matsyafed – Kerala
- Gujarat Fisheries Central Cooperative Association (GFCCA)
Need for focus.
- Around 4 million people are economically benefited through primary fishery cooperatives in India.
- The fishery cooperative sector can provide livelihood security, nutritional security, and social security to the vulnerable groups in our society.
- The fisheries cooperative sector represents weaker section people who are mostly living below the poverty line.
Way Forward
- There is an urgent need for the adoption of digital technology by fishery cooperatives to provide their services at the doorstep and play a key role in providing nutritious food to the people.
- The fishery cooperatives should be supported with funds to develop infrastructures and a progressive supply and value chain for sustainability.
- The Government of India is committed to uplift the fishery cooperative sector through adequate policy and financial support.
- There is a need to insure over ten million fishermen under the Group Accident Insurance Scheme (GAIS) within the next 2 to 3 years.
- Fishery cooperative members should be provided with online awareness training about the PMMSY scheme and Cooperative Principles.
- They shall be provided marketing support for a sustainable business plan to excel in domestic marketing.
- Computerization of a primary fishery cooperative can accelerate the growth of the sector at the micro level.