The Indian fisheries sector is evolving to become a technology-driven, value-oriented pillar of the national economy. This transformation involves various initiatives aimed at strengthening production and post-harvest systems, expanding infrastructure, and creating employment opportunities.
India's fisheries sector is experiencing a significant change, transitioning from a production-focused activity to a dynamic, technology-driven, and value-oriented pillar of the national economy. This shift is crucial for enhancing food and nutritional security, generating employment, supporting rural livelihoods, and contributing to export earnings.
The fisheries ecosystem has undergone significant transformation through various means: value addition, cold-chain development, modern processing, mobile fish marketing, and start-up-led innovation. These advancements are being adopted by enterprises that are increasingly incorporating Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, blockchain, drone technology, smart cold-chain systems, and precision aquaculture to improve traceability, productivity, quality assurance, and post-harvest management.
Since 2015, the Government of India has significantly increased public investment in the fisheries sector through key schemes and programs such as the Blue Revolution Scheme, Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), Pradhan Mantri Matsya Samridhi Sah Yojana (PM-MKSSY) and Kisan Credit Card (KCC). These initiatives are aimed at expanding infrastructure, strengthening production and post-harvest systems, and creating employment and livelihood opportunities for 74.66 lakh fishers and fish farmers across the country.
Infrastructure development is not limited to expanded production facilities but also includes transportation and logistics networks. This includes fish transportation systems, retail and wholesale markets, kiosks, feed mills, ice plants, cold storages, and value-added enterprise units, with an investment of Rs. 39,272 crore made so far.
Furthermore, five modern and smart fish markets are being developed, which will be integrated with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), widening producers' access to digital markets and improving prospects for fair price realization.
Source:
Press Information Bureau
