ENA Sectors 2024-11-22 16:24:08 <p><span style="font-size:14px"><strong>New Delhi, Nov 22 (KNN)</strong> Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh emphasised the critical need to formalise India's fisheries sector during his address at the World Fisheries Day celebrations on Thursday.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry &amp; Dairying highlighted India's position as the world's second-largest fish producer, expressing optimism about achieving the top position in global rankings.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Statistical data reveals a remarkable 82 percent increase in India's fish production, rising from 95.79 lakh tonnes in 2013-14 to 175.45 lakh tonnes in 2022-23.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Singh attributed this substantial growth to various initiatives implemented under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, particularly citing the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana and Fisheries and Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF).</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The minister outlined several challenges facing the sector, including the pressing need to transition approximately 3 crore fish farmers from the unorganised to the organised sector.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">To address this, the government has initiated a registration platform to ensure these farmers can access benefits such as Kisan Credit Card and insurance schemes.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">In a significant move to advance the sector, Singh launched multiple initiatives during the event, including the 5th Marine Fisheries Census and the National Plan of Action on Sharks for sustainable management.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">He also announced India's participation in a regional cooperation agreement with Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Maldives to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in the Bay of Bengal Region.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Environmental concerns were also addressed through the launch of the IMO-FAO GloLitter Partnership Project, aimed at reducing marine plastic pollution.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The minister further introduced Standard Operating Procedures for retrofitted LPG kits to promote energy-efficient fishing practices, along with a New Single Window System for online registration of coastal aquaculture farms.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px"><em><strong>(KNN Bureau)</strong></em></span></p> 40012 https://knnindia.co.in/news/newsdetails/sectors/critical-need-to-formalise-indias-fisheries-sector-rajiv-ranjan 2024-11-22 16:24:08 knnindia.co.in