Fisheries industry -- a 'sunrise sector': Union fisheries secy

Terming the fisheries industry a 'sunrise sector', Union Fisheries Secretary Rajeev Ranjan on Tuesday said that having the highest return among all agricultural sectors in India, this industry has the potential to bring in a 'Blue-revolution' while also doubling the farmers' income by 2025.

"Following the Dalwai Committee recommended measures required to fulfil the target of doubling farmers' income, there is a huge scope of growth for both farmers and fishermen under Prime Minister Narendra Modi Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) scheme which has laid out a comprehensive plan to revamp and accelerate the growth of the fisheries sector in India," said Mr Ranjan during an e-conference on 'The Criticality of Transforming Fisheries Industry –

Ushering in Digitization to support PMMSY', hosted by Department of Fisheries in collaboration with United News of India today, represented by UNI Chairman Vishwas Tripathi and Editor-in-Chief Ashok Upadhyay.

Highlighting the importance of the aquaculture sector in providing food, employment and prosperity, the secretary further said that in order to enhance farmers’ income, PMMSY has underlined the steps needed for technological interventions, improved market access, and also to develop the industrial and service sectors to support various farmer activities in terms of marketing and processing of their produce and other requirements in terms of self employment/employment in the farming sector via marine entrepreneurship. "Marine entrepreneurship will benefit fishermen in safety, sustainability and productivity," he added.

"Many wasteland areas away from the coastal land are lying unused will be put in use for brackish water and fish cultivation," Mr Ranjan said.

Parth Trivedi, CEO and co-founder of Skylo -- the first satellite-based IoT solution that turns machines into always-connected smart objects, and entered in an exclusive partnership with BSNL this month, highlighted the importance of the satellite network.

“Technology will impact the industry from traceability and sustainability standpoint. Skylo and BSNL will enable the fishermen, farmers, fishing vessels and truck drivers to access the benefits of an affordable, reliable satellite network and connected sensors, giving them real-time information, which would help them save money and time and make better decisions," said Mr Trivedi.

It will benefit fishermen and fleet owners from increased profitability and sustainability. With the standard mobile phones paired by Skylos transponders which are defectively fitted on all kinds of vessels. Fishermen will have access to both living saving capability at sea, ability to stay close to their fleet owners and families and access to markets remotely, he added.

Responding to a question on global market expansion, Mr Ranjan said that India is already having a large cooperation agreement with many countries on a government to government basis, which includes Scandinavian nations, who are advanced in this field. Moreover, we are also looking forward to the Indo-Norwegian and Indo-Danish partnerships.

Speaking on the common concerns surrounding this frog leap, Mr Ranjan said that the challenges of climate change and sustainability top the list.

Announced by Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman during in her 2019 Budget speech, the PMMSY is aimed at establishing a comprehensive framework and reduce infrastructural gaps in the fisheries sector to place India in the first place in Fish production and processing by implementing 'Neeli Kranti' of 'Blue Revolution' and doubling farmers' income.