Fisheries and Aquaculture are an Important Source of Food, Nutrition, Employment, Income and Foreign Exchange: Rajiv Ranjan Singh

 The second-largest fish producer globally, has witnessed record fish production and significant investment in fisheries infrastructure under initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana.

Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry &Dairying, Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh briefed the media today 18 Sep on the important decisions taken and achievements of the Ministry for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying in 100 days of the third term of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and Panchayati Raj Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel, Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and Ministry of Minority Affairs George Kurian, Secretary, Department of Fisheries Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi and Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying Ms. Alka Upadhyay and senior officers of Ministry were also present at the press conference. :

While briefing Achievements of Fishing Department, Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh said that Fisheries and aquaculture are an important source of food, nutrition, employment, income and foreign exchange. Fish being an affordable and rich source of healthy animal protein and omega 3-fatty acids, it offers immense potential to mitigate hunger and malnutrition.

Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh said that India is blessed with rich and diverse fisheries resources and a variety of fish species are found that enrich our biodiversity. Fisheries and aquaculture is a promising sector that provides livelihood and employment opportunities to about 3 crore fishers and fish farmers at the primary level and several lakhs along the value chain. India is the 2^nd largest fish producing country with around 8% share in global fish production. Globally, India also stands at 2^nd in aquaculture production, is one of the top mp producing and exporting nations and 3^rd largest capture fisheries producer. During last ten years, the Government of India has taken up several transformational initiatives for holistic development of fisheries and aquaculture sector. Some of the key reforms are highlighted below. 

Fisheries Sector commenced purely as a traditional activity at the time of India’s Independence. Over the past seventy-five years, the sector has gradually transformed into a commercial enterprise while maintaining its traditional and small-scale character. The fish production in the country rose from 7.52 lakh tonnein 1950-51 to an all-time record of 175.45 lakh tons in 2022-23, which is more than 23-fold increase in national fish production. During the last 9 years, the annual fish production of India has increased from 95.79 lakh tons (at the end of FY 2013-14) to record production of 175.45 lakh tons (at the end of FY 2022-23) i.e. an increase of 79.66 lakh tons i.e. more than 83%.