For the first time in India, the Union government is set to award the best performing states in the fisheries sector on the World Fisheries Day - November 21, the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying said on Saturday.
The ministry stated in a release that the awardees include Odisha among marine states, Uttar Pradesh among inland states and Assam among Northeast states.
The event is being organised by the Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying at NASC Complex, Pusa, New Delhi. Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Pratap Chandra Sarangi, will be the chief guest. Fishers, fish farmers, entrepreneurs, stakeholders, professionals, officials and scientist from across the nation will also be participating in the event.
The ministry said the other awards include 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; the 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 of their accomplishments in the field and their contribution in the growth of the sector.
About World Fisheries Day
World Fisheries Day is celebrated on November 21 every year to demonstrate solidarity with fish farmers and all fishing community and concerned stakeholders throughout the world. It started in 1997 where “World Forum of Fish Harvesters & Fish Workers” met at New Delhi leading to the formation of “World Fisheries Forum” with representatives from 18 countries. The representatives signed a declaration advocating for a global mandate of sustainable fishing practices and policies, the ministry stated.
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 fishing sector envisioned to increase the farmers’ income through enhancement of production and productivity, improving the quality and reduction of waste.
Facts about India as a leading fish producing country in the world
1. India is the second major producer of fish through aquaculture in the world.
2. 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.
3. India contributes about 7.7 per cent of global fish production.
4. India ranks 4th in global exports of fish products.
5. The Centrally Sponsored Scheme “Blue Revolution” was launched in December 2015.
6. The fisheries sector has contributed about 1.24 per cent to the national GVA and about 7.28 per cent of the agricultural GVA in 2018-19.
7. On September 10, 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) at an estimated investment of Rs 20,050 crore for a period of five years - from 2020-21 to 2024-25.
8. The 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.
9. The Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) which was started in 2018-19 with Rs 7,522.48 crore will also cater to creation of fisheries infrastructure facilities both in marine and inland fisheries sectors to augment the fish production in the country.
10. The government has extended facilities of Kissan Credit Cards (KCC) to fishers and fish farmers to help them in meeting their working capital needs.
