Commercial aquaculture in India began in the early 1990s. It was initiated to enhance foreign exchange reserves under the New Economic Policy of 1991. Shrimp was the primary focus, alongside a few fish species. Initially, shrimp farming relied on wild seed collection from estuaries. Over time, hatchery and feed technologies improved, leading to more scientific farming practices. This evolution attracted a global market eager for tropical shrimp.
Technological Integration in Aquaculture
The integration of technology has transformed aquaculture. New methods allow for increased output at reduced costs. Efficient resource utilisation hinges on access to information and technology. Farm economies benefit from controlling various input and output factors, creating a robust value chain. Information access is crucial for small farmers to achieve financial stability.
Role of IT in Aquaculture
The introduction of mobile applications revolutionised fish and shrimp delivery in India. These apps have evolved to meet market demands effectively. Despite this progress, farmers face challenges like rising production costs and market opacity. Current IT applications in farm management remain underdeveloped, limiting potential benefits to farmers.
Government Initiatives
The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana has improved infrastructure and support for the fisheries sector. The new Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi-Saha Yojana (2023-2027) aims to provide targeted financial and technological assistance. This initiative seeks to enhance the sector’s growth and sustainability.
Investment in Aquaculture Technology
A notable investment of $4.5 million in March 2025 marked step in aquaculture research and production. This investment focuses on data-driven approaches to improve product validation and field parameters. The goal is to empower small farmers to adopt technologies that minimise losses and enhance income.
Contract Farming and IT Support
Promoting contract farming models in aquaculture is essential. These models can be supported by IT platforms for better supply chain control. This approach ensures that small farmers maximise their value chain benefits. Attracting international IT-driven mariculture companies through Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is also crucial.
Reverse FDI and Domestic Market Growth
Reverse FDI can help Indian seafood exports compete internationally. By leveraging favourable exchange rates and low production costs in Central America, India can access the lucrative US market. Additionally, promoting fish and shrimp consumption domestically requires increasing output volumes to lower prices for consumers.
Education and Future Directions
Fisheries education must adapt to enhance students’ IT skills. This change will prepare graduates for industry demands. The future of the fisheries sector lies in digital technology. Instantaneous price discovery and supply responses can revolutionise the industry.
Questions for UPSC:
- Critically discuss the impact of technology on aquaculture productivity in India.
- Examine the significance of government initiatives in supporting the fisheries sector.
- Analyse the potential benefits and challenges of reverse FDI in India’s aquaculture.
- Estimate the role of education in shaping the future workforce for the fisheries industry.
Answer Hints:
1. Critically discuss the impact of technology on aquaculture productivity in India.
- Technology has enabled higher output at lower costs, enhancing overall productivity.
- Integration of IT solutions, such as mobile apps, has improved supply chain efficiency.
- Access to information allows small farmers to optimize resource utilization.
- Scientific advancements in hatchery and feed technologies have streamlined farming practices.
- Despite progress, many farmers still face challenges due to underdeveloped IT applications.
2. Examine the significance of government initiatives in supporting the fisheries sector.
- The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana has improved physical infrastructure and financial support.
- Targeted schemes aim to enhance technological adoption and sustainability in fisheries.
- Government initiatives encourage a conducive environment for investment in aquaculture.
- Support programs help small farmers access credit and insurance, mitigating risks.
- Long-term strategies focus on boosting domestic production and export potential.
3. Analyse the potential benefits and challenges of reverse FDI in India’s aquaculture.
- Reverse FDI can enhance competitiveness by leveraging low production costs in foreign markets.
- Access to international markets can increase foreign exchange earnings for India.
- Challenges include regulatory hurdles and the need for alignment with local practices.
- Potential risks involve dependency on foreign investments and market fluctuations.
- Successful implementation requires co-opting local fishers into operations for sustainability.
4. Estimate the role of education in shaping the future workforce for the fisheries industry.
- Education must focus on IT proficiency to prepare students for modern industry demands.
- Enhanced training can lead to better adoption of technology in aquaculture practices.
- Industry-ready graduates can drive innovation and efficiency in fisheries operations.
- Curriculum reforms should align with emerging trends and technologies in the sector.
- A skilled workforce is crucial for addressing challenges and maximizing the sector’s potential.
