The fisheries industry has enormous development potential, and the Centre has set a target of Rs 1 lakh crore in exports from the sector by 2024-25, according to Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying Parshottam Rupala here on Sunday.
For India which is currently the 2nd largest producer of inland fish and currently provides jobs to 14 million people in India this is actually a great opportunity as it will totally boost the income gained by the country through the Aquaculture industry. Union minister for fisheries and animal husbandry Parshottam Rupala also stated during the World Fisheries Day commemoration that states must be motivated by one another and explore opportunities to expand in the marine industry.
He also added that "There is a need to come up with environment-friendly fishing and look for sustaining the sector while continuing the consumption,".
The Union Minister of Fisheries also wanted to pull the Attention of fisherfolk towards the Kisan Credit Cards that were made available to them and stated that "The Ministry has already extended the support of KCC to the fishermen and women. The government will soon start a massive campaign to intensify awareness on KCC,"
In this occasion, the Balasore district was named the Best Marine District in the country. Andhra Pradesh was named Best Marine State, while Telangana was named Best Inland State. Odisha is the fourth largest fish-producing state in the country, with 8.73 lakh metric tonne of fish produced in 2020-21, accounting for 2.33 percent (pc) of the state GDP. Over the last five years, the fisheries sector in the state has grown at an average annual growth rate of about 13 percent. The Best Inland District award was given to Balaghat in Madhya Pradesh, and the Best Hilly and Northeastern State and District awards were given to Tripura and Bongaigaon in Assam, respectively.
The ministers and delegates went to the farmers' and businesses' show stands set up at the location. During the occasion, several posters and jingles about the fishing industry were also distributed.
Senior officials from the Government of India and the Government of Odisha also attended the event.
