India to launch blue revolution to boost fish production
Updated: Nov 08, 2014 04:40:34pm
Mumbai, Nov 8 (KNN) Union Minister for Agriculture, Radhamohan Singh has said that the government is all set to launch the ‘blue revolution’ on the lines of the ‘white revolution’ which played a big role in increasing milk production in the country.
“The Blue Revolution envisages transformation of the fisheries sector with increased investment, better training and development of infrastructure,” an official release said.
Blue Revolution will focus on construction of new fishing harbours, modernization of fishing boats, imparting training to fishermen, and above all promoting fishing as a self-employment activity.
Speaking at the convocation of the Central Institute of Fisheries Education here yesterday, Singh said that though India is the second largest producer of fish, it still lags behind China by a huge margin, while also scoring low on the productivity scale.
Fisheries output in the country is presently about 10 million tonnes, with inland fisheries accounting for 5.6 million tonnes and marine fisheries 3.4 million tonnes, according to the Minister.
“India has large natural resources, and water bodies such as reservoirs, lakes and ponds, in addition to an 8,118km-long coastline. So it is well positioned to have a Blue Revolution,” he added.
However, he expressed concern over stagnation in production of marine fisheries, pointing out that deep sea fishing would require large investments owing to which the Ministry would have to explore possibilities of public-private partnership.
The Minister also stated that largest species of fish are found in India, and there is also a tremendous scope for breeding of colourful ornamental fish.
Even though the government has so far focused mostly on agriculture and industry, the government has envisaged a grand plan for development of fisheries as a major employment generating economic activity, he added. (KNN/ES)
“The Blue Revolution envisages transformation of the fisheries sector with increased investment, better training and development of infrastructure,” an official release said.
Blue Revolution will focus on construction of new fishing harbours, modernization of fishing boats, imparting training to fishermen, and above all promoting fishing as a self-employment activity.
Speaking at the convocation of the Central Institute of Fisheries Education here yesterday, Singh said that though India is the second largest producer of fish, it still lags behind China by a huge margin, while also scoring low on the productivity scale.
Fisheries output in the country is presently about 10 million tonnes, with inland fisheries accounting for 5.6 million tonnes and marine fisheries 3.4 million tonnes, according to the Minister.
“India has large natural resources, and water bodies such as reservoirs, lakes and ponds, in addition to an 8,118km-long coastline. So it is well positioned to have a Blue Revolution,” he added.
However, he expressed concern over stagnation in production of marine fisheries, pointing out that deep sea fishing would require large investments owing to which the Ministry would have to explore possibilities of public-private partnership.
The Minister also stated that largest species of fish are found in India, and there is also a tremendous scope for breeding of colourful ornamental fish.
Even though the government has so far focused mostly on agriculture and industry, the government has envisaged a grand plan for development of fisheries as a major employment generating economic activity, he added. (KNN/ES)
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