Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh to Lead Fisheries Export Promotion in Vishakhapatnam
New Delhi [India], September 5: Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Panchayati Raj, Rajiv Ranjan Singh, will lead a Stakeholder Consultation on Fisheries Export Promotion on September 6, in Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
According to the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, the consultation, organised by the Department of Fisheries, will focus on enhancing marine product farming and the value chain. MoS Professor SP Singh Baghel, and MoS George Kurian, along with senior officials from various ministries and departments, are expected to attend.
The fisheries sector is a key pillar of India’s economy, contributing to exports, food security, and the livelihoods of around 30 million people, particularly from marginalised groups. India, the second-largest fish producer globally, achieved a record production of 17.5 million tons in 2022-23, accounting for 8 per cent of the world’s total. The sector contributes 1.09 per cent to India’s Gross Value Added (GVA) and over 6.724 per cent to agricultural GVA, highlighting its critical role in the economy.
With immense growth potential, the sector needs targeted policy and financial support for sustainable and inclusive development. The Indian government has driven transformative change in the fisheries sector through schemes like PMMSY, FIDF, the Blue Revolution, and PMMKSSY, investing a record Rs 38,572 crore since 2015. These initiatives have helped India become the second-largest fish producer globally.
Despite challenges, India’s seafood exports hit a record high in 2023-24, with 1.78 million tons shipped, valued at Rs 60,523.89 crore. Marine product cultivation and exports have also surged over the past decade, with exports more than doubling, from Rs 19,368 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 40,013.54 crore in 2023-24, reflecting an average annual growth rate of 14 per cent.
The Stakeholder Consultation aims to foster collaboration among fish farmers, industry leaders, policymakers, seafood exporters, and researchers. The focus will be on innovation, sustainability, and value addition to strengthen India’s position in the global seafood market while promoting inclusive growth for coastal communities. Participants will discuss best practices, sustainable aquaculture technologies, and infrastructure development to enhance productivity, ensure food safety, and improve traceability in the seafood export value chain.
Additionally, the consultation will focus on expanding India’s global footprint in seafood exports and boosting the livelihoods of fishers and coastal communities. This initiative reaffirms the government’s commitment to promoting the fisheries sector as a vital economic contributor and a key source of livelihood for millions. Through a collaborative and inclusive approach, the government aims to strengthen resilience and advance the nation’s blue economy.
Doubts Revealed
Union Minister -: A Union Minister is a member of the central government in India who is in charge of a specific department or ministry. They help make important decisions for the country.
Rajiv Ranjan Singh -: Rajiv Ranjan Singh is a politician in India who works for the central government. He is responsible for certain tasks and projects, like promoting fisheries exports.
Fisheries Export Promotion -: Fisheries Export Promotion means helping to sell fish and seafood products from India to other countries. This helps the economy by earning money from other countries.
Vishakhapatnam -: Vishakhapatnam, also known as Vizag, is a big city in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is known for its beautiful beaches and busy port.
Stakeholder Consultation -: A Stakeholder Consultation is a meeting where different people who are interested in a topic come together to discuss and share ideas. In this case, it’s about fisheries.
Marine product farming -: Marine product farming is growing and raising fish and other sea animals for food. This can include fish, shrimp, and crabs.
Value chain -: The value chain is the process of adding value to a product at each step, from production to selling. For fish, this could mean catching, cleaning, packaging, and selling.
Fisheries sector -: The fisheries sector includes all activities related to catching, farming, and selling fish and seafood. It is important for providing food and jobs.
Exports -: Exports are goods or products that are sold to other countries. For example, India sells fish to other countries, which helps earn money.
Livelihoods -: Livelihoods are the ways people earn money to live. In the fisheries sector, many people earn their livelihoods by catching and selling fish.
Policymakers -: Policymakers are people who make rules and laws for a country. They help decide how things should be done to improve the country.
Innovation -: Innovation means creating new ideas or methods to do things better. In fisheries, this could mean finding new ways to farm fish or keep them fresh.
Sustainability -: Sustainability means using resources in a way that they can last for a long time. In fisheries, it means catching fish without harming the environment or running out of fish.
Value addition -: Value addition means improving a product to make it worth more. For fish, this could mean turning it into ready-to-eat meals or packaging it nicely.