In a boost to the fisheries sector in India, the government has announced a US$2.65 billion scheme that aims at doubling fish farmers incomes by 2024. The five-year scheme, from fiscal 2020-21 to fiscal 2024-25, will help improve infrastructure and boost investment in the fisheries sector, reports Aneetha NG.
The scheme will bring sustainable and responsible development of the fisheries sector in India under two components - Central Sector Scheme and Centrally Sponsored Scheme. While the central government's share would be US$1.24 billion, the state government's and beneficiaries' share would be US$646 million and USD 763 million, respectively.
The scheme also entails insurance coverage for fishermen and their boats, and is part of the third tranche of reforms to improve farm infrastructure and logistics for the agriculture sector, in an economic package announced by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the wake of the Coronavirus crisis.
The package is intended to support increasing production and also aims to provide employment to more than 5.5 million people.
As much as US$1.45 billion of the US$2.65 billion is to be kept for activities in marine, inland fisheries and aquaculture while the remaining US$1.19 billion is for creating infrastructure such as fishing harbours, cold chains and markets.
Jagdish Fofandi, President of the Seafood Exporters Association of India (SEAI), said the objective of the scheme is to immediately generate direct employment opportunities for 1.5 million people, doubling income of fish farmers and workers by 2024, besides addressing the critical gaps in the fisheries sector.
"The aim is to increase fish production to 22 million tonne by 2024-25 through sustainable and responsible fishing practices. The scheme will focus on creating critical infrastructure including modernisation and strengthening of value chain and improve availability of certified quality fish seed and feed, traceability in fish and includes effective aquatic health management," he said.
It will give a boost to investments in the fisheries sector and increase the competitiveness of fish and fisheries products, he added.
The scheme will also help in doubling India’s export to INR1 trillion (US$13.23 billion), and will usher in better standards and traceability.
The government has continued to support the sector after the imposition of India's nationwide lockdown by easing compliance burdens and designating fisheries as an essential service, so as to allow it to continue working during the ongoing lockdown. The lockdown, initiated on 25th March, jeopardised the livelihoods, and food security of fishing people.
"Fisheries in India, unlike other countries, is still a livelihood sector, with most people working on daily wages. It is not corporatised. As a result, daily-wage earners as well as small fishermen have been struggling all through the lockdown period," said SEAI's Jagdish Fofandi.
Though marine exporting units have commenced work, many are working only at 20% capacity, he said, adding fish farmers have lost a month and a half of the season due to the Covid-19 lockdown.
"There is an urgent need to make India the prime producer of seafood and to lift it from the fourth position it is now occupying on the global stage. While the new government policy will address some of the burning issues, our exports have been drastically hit," he said.
India's last year's export figure was US$6.7 billion. Jagdish Fofandi said,.
"We expect 25% drop in exports this year. Plus, fishing season has almost ended with the rains commencing later this month."
