MAJOR EFFORTS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF THE FISHERIES SECTOR IN INDIA

RELEVANCE – UPSC GS PRELIMS & GS MAINS PAPER -III : TOPIC : Economics of animal-rearing

Fisheries is a fast-growing sector in India, which provides nutrition and food security to a large population of the country besides providing income and employment to more than 28 million people. Fisheries sector has been recognized as a ‘Sunrise Sector’.

Fish being an affordable and rich source of animal protein, is one of the healthiest options to mitigate hunger and nutrient deficiency. The sector has immense potential to double its exports, it is essential that sustained and focused attention is given to the fisheries sector through policy and financial support to accelerate its development in a sustainable, responsible, inclusive and equitable manner.

The government has taken various initiatives for the development of fisheries such as:

Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)

The Cabinet on 20thMay, 2020 approved the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) at a highest ever total investment of Rs. 20,050 crores comprising of (i) Central share of Rs. 9407 crores, (ii) State share of Rs 4880 crores and (iii) Beneficiaries contribution of Rs. 5763 crores for its implementation within a period of 5 years from FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25 in all States/Union Territories.

PMMSY was initially announced in the Union Budget for FY 2019-20 and subsequently announced as part of the COVID-19 Relief Package (AtmaNirbhar Bharat Package) of the Government of India.

PMMSY was launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister on 10th September 2020.

Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF)

In order to address the infrastructure requirement for fisheries sector, the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying during 2018-19 has created dedicated fund namely Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) with a total funds size of Rs 7522.48 crore.

FIDF provides concessional finance to the Eligible Entities (EEs), including State Governments/Union Territories and State entities for development of identified fisheries infrastructure facilities through Nodal Loaning Entities (NLEs) namely (i) National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), (ii) National Cooperatives Development Corporation (NCDC) and (iii) All scheduled Banks.

Under the FIDF, the Department of Fisheries provides interest subvention up to 3% per annum for providing the concessional finance by the NLEs at the interest rate not lower than 5% per annum. Loan lending period under FIDF is five years from 2018-19 to 2022-23 and maximum repayment period of 12 years inclusive of moratorium of 2 years on repayment of principal.

Integrated Development and Management of Fisheries

The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying is implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme on Blue Revolution : Integrated Development and Management of Fisheries, for overall development of the fisheries sector in the country including support for development of fish farms in both fresh and salt water in the country.

The Centrally Sponsored Scheme inter-alia provides financial assistance for development of fisheries and aquaculture sector including construction of ponds, fish seed rearing ponds, productive utilization of inland saline/alkaline areas for aquaculture, renovation of ponds and development of waterlogged areas.

Under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme, financial assistance is provided to States/ Union Territories for establishment of fisheries infrastructure including development of post-harvest infrastructure like ice plants, cold storages, ice plants-cum-cold storages and development of fish landing centre and fishing harbours.

Kisan Credit Card (KCC)

The popular Kisan Credit Card Scheme was extended to the fishing and animal husbandry sector by the government in the year 2018-19.

The Hon’ble Finance Minister announced Rs.2 lakh crore concessional credit boost to Rs.2.5 crore farmers including fishers and fish farmers under Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Scheme as a part of Atmanirbhar Bharat Package. Thus, Department of Fisheries in collaboration with all the States/UTs took up a special drive several times to saturate the issuance of KCC to fishers and fish farmers.

Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA)

It provides financial assistance to develop fisheries infrastructure facilities to maintain the quality standards of aquaculture products for export to overseas markets. In addition, MPEDA conducts capacity building programmes for fishers and fish farmers through trainings, awareness and demonstration programmes throughout the country.

Seaweed Park in Tamil Nadu.

It would link and promote Seaweed farming and the seaweed-based industries together to bring out full-fledged expansion of this sector.

Development of 5 Major Fishing harbours as hub of economic activities.

5 major fishing harbours – Kochi, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Paradip, and Petuaghat – will be developed as hubs of economic activity with world class infrastructure and amenities, Seamless and quality cold chain and Hygienic handling, reduce post-harvest losses for which around 600 crores would be spent.

Project on promotion and scaling up of Open Sea Cage Culture.

Launching of “Matsya Setu” App.

PRACTICE QUESTION

QUES. Fisheries sector in our country has huge potential in terms of achieving food security,increasing employment and income of the farmers. Discuss about the important steps taken by the government to realize the potential of the fisheries upto its fullest extent.

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