India’s Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) has launched a Self Sufficiency Project (SSP) at its Hatchery and Training Complex at Vallarpadam in order to help aqua farmers export their produce in international markets and meet stringent quality standards.
Under the project, nursery rearing facilities for Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT) seeds have been set up for supply of quality seeds to the aqua farmers.
Union Commerce Secretary, Rita Teaotia, who recently inaugurated the project, said there is an imperative need to provide best products as competition from other countries is increasing.
“Every single aspect of the product which is going to the international markets has to be of best quality. This is the message that has to go to everyone along the value chain and not just the exporters. Good practices and ensuring the quality should be the cardinal principle,” she said.
Ms Teaotia added that the MPEDA has worked in close partnership with the exporter community and has been able to add value over the years. “This unity has worked towards the common objective of increasing the exports from India, ensuring that our quality standards are adhered to and that our global reputation is maintained.”
MPEDA Chairman, Dr A Jayathilak, said that plans are also afoot to expand the nursery rearing facilities at Hatchery and Training Complex at Vallarpadam, located near the International Container Terminal, for other species such as seabass, mangrove crab and vannamei shrimp.
“This will ensure quality seed material to the aqua farmers so that the supply of exportable variety of finfish and shellfish gets a huge boost. It will also create more livelihood opportunities for the stakeholders,” he said.
MPEDA has recently developed an online business exchange platform, the ‘Fish Exchange Portal’, developed for export of seafood from the country. It has been designed to facilitate buyers with sourcing seafood from MPEDA registered exporters. (www.fishexchange.mpeda.gov.in)
