Sea food exporters demand rise in weight limit under PMSY sub scheme

Kolkata, Feb 7 (KNN) Exporters dealing in marine products have urged the government to increase the weight limit on hatcheries, cold storages under the Prime Minister Matsya Sampad Yojana (PMSY) following the announcement of a new sub scheme in PMSY in the union budget.

Rajarshi Banerjee, President, Sea Food Exporters’ Association of India (West Bengal region) is of the view that PMSY would be more effective if the maximum storage weight limit per hatchery, per cold storage, per beneficiary is increased.

“Like in cold storage, the cap is 25 tonne which is too low as per the global standard. It should be enhanced to 500 tonne at least to make it viable,” he added.

Further, Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has also announced some sops for shrimp farming in the union budget.

However, exporters feel that the benefit should go to the farmers which would reduce the cost of Shrimp farming.

Banerjee explained that this in turn would help reduce shrimp prices and make export more competitive.

Currently, India exports shrimps worth USD 7.8 billion, while the export from West Bengal is worth Rs 8,000 crore.  (KNN Bureau)