Stakeholders stress on ways to enhance fisheries exports to $12 bn
The sector’s significance is highlighted by its 1.09 per cent contribution to the country’s gross value added and over 6.724 per cent to agricultural GVA
Visakhapatnam: Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Panchayati Raj Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh on Friday called for popularising world’s best practices and modernising fishing technologies to increase the seafood exports to $12 billion by 2025 from the present $7.37 billion.
He was speaking at a stakeholders’ consultation meeting here on fisheries export promotion with focus on strengthening shrimp farming and value chain on Friday.
The meeting revealed that frozen shrimp accounts for a lion’s share of exports amounting to Rs 60,523 crore. India exports to 132 countries with the largest quantity consumed in the United States. Shrimp exports amounted to Rs 40,013 crore with aquaculture shrimp accounting for Rs.36,896 crore. The wild caught shrimp amounts to Rs 3,117 crore. L Vannamei shrimp, an exotic variety fetches 86.5 per cent of revenue from exports with Andhra Pradeesh emerging as the aquaculture capital of India.
Among others, George Kurian, Union MInister of State for Fisheries, Fisheries Secretary Abhilaksh Likhi, Joint Secretaries Sagar Mehra, Neetu Kumari Prasad and District Collector MN Harendhira Prasad, Joint Director of Fisheries Vijaya was present.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), there has been projected potential for Rs1 lakh crore export by 2025 viz. 34.5 per cent to the USA, 18.76 per cent to China, 5.42 per cent to Japan, 5.30 per cent to Vietnam, 3.82 per cent to Thailand and 14 per cent to the European Union.
Singh said the fisheries sector, a cornerstone of the Indian economy, plays a crucial role in national income, exports, and food security, known as the ‘Sunrise Sector,’ it supports around 30 million people, especially from marginalised communities. As the world’s second largest fish producer, India achieved a record production of 17.5 million tonnes (in 2022-23), contributing 8 per cent to the global fish production.
The sector’s significance is highlighted by its 1.09 per cent contribution to the country’s gross value added (GVA) and over 6.724 per cent to agricultural GVA.
With immense growth potential, the fisheries sector requires focused policy and financial support for sustainable, responsible, and inclusive development. The Government of India has spearheaded the transformation of the fisheries sector through various schemes and initiatives such as PMMSY, FIDF, Blue Revolution and PMKSY with the highest ever investment of Rs 38,572 crore since 2015.