The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, Fishing Harbours, Ocean currents, and the Marine Products Export Development Authority Act (MPEDA) 1972 are all crucial for understanding India’s fishery sector. Recently, the Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying launched three national flagship programmes at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research-CIBA Campus in Chennai aimed at boosting the sector’s growth.
The Three National Flagship Programmes
Firstly, the Genetic Improvement Programme of Indian White Shrimp will address the issue of reliance on a single species, the Pacific white shrimp species (Penaeus vannamei), which currently accounts for about 70% of India’s seafood exports valued at Rs. 42000 crores. The initiative by ICAR-CIBA will prioritize the development of local species like P. indicus to diversify production.
Shrimp Crop Insurance
Next is the Shrimp Crop Insurance product designed by ICAR-CIBA to protect farmers against significant loss. This insurance product offers differential premiums based on individual farmers’ location and needs, ranging from 3.7 to 7.7 % of input costs. Farmers can expect compensation of up to 80% of the input cost, should they experience a total crop loss—defined as more than 70% of crop loss.
National Surveillance Programme for Aquatic Animal Diseases (NSPAAD)
The third programme, implemented by the Government of India since 2013, is NSPAAD with a major focus on strengthening the farmer-based disease surveillance system. The first phase of the program demonstrated a decrease in revenue losses related to diseases and an increase in farmers’ income and exports.
The NSPAAD has now advanced to its second phase, sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana scheme by the Government of India. It is set to be implemented across the country.
Context in UPSC Civil Services Examination
These developments come at a crucial time when the UPSC Civil Services Examination is focusing more on pisciculture development, including queries about the Blue Revolution and its strategies for growth in India, signaling the importance of this sector in national policy and planning.
Fishery Sector Status in India
Despite experiencing significant growth over the years, India’s fishery sector has had its share of issues. Factors such as overfishing, illegal fishing, and poor infrastructure have hampered the industry’s potential. These new initiatives by the government are aimed at not only addressing these problems but also boosting the sector’s productivity and profitability.
Government’s Recent Initiatives and the Fishery Sector
The government, through the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana and other interventions, is actively working to transform the sector. The aim is to make it more efficient, sustainable, and profitable for millions of people engaged in the fisheries sector. These latest initiatives are part of a broader plan to boost domestic production and reduce reliance on imports, making India self-sufficient in seafood production.
