New Delhi, Apr 24 (KNN) The government has allocated Rs 371.50 crore to boost fisheries during the year 2013-14, apart from implementing various other schemes to increase fish production.

“The government is developing marine fisheries infrastructure and better post-harvest operations for the farmers.  It is also strengthening database and geographical information system of the fisheries sector in addition to implementing National Scheme of Welfare of Fisherman,” said Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries, Charan Das Mahant.

Problems faced by farmers engaged in fisheries include inadequate infrastructure for proper processing, packaging, preservation and marketing of fresh and chilled fish, lack of sanitation and hygiene in fish markets and poor arrangement of procurement and transporting of fish to the markets.

Despite the huge potential, India's share in fisheries production globally is about 5 per cent and marine inland fishery exports account for just 2 per cent of the global trade in the sector.        
  
Significantly, Indian marine waters are home to over 1,700 fish species, including 200 commercially significant species, while the sector employs over 15 million people. (KNN)