Odisha targets Rs 10,000 crore marine exports in 5 years

Odisha government has set up an ambitious target to step up seafood exports to Rs 10,000 crore in next five years.

"The state government has drawn up a plan to enhance marine food export to Rs 10,000 crore in next five years along with achieving self-sufficiency in fresh water fish production, conservation of aquatic resources and protection of genetic diversity," said Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik at the inauguration of 'National Workshop on Opportunities for Fisheries sector in Odisha' here.

These goals are sought to be achieved through production of quality seeds, technological interventions, human resources development, training of fishermen folk and other stake holders, he added.

In 2014-15, Odisha produced 4.67 lakh tonnes of fish, an increase of 13 per cent over the previous year. Similarly, the sea food exports from the state in 2014-15 was up by 26 per cent from 2013-14. The sea food exports has touched Rs 2,300 crore in the last fiscal.

Patniak said, the fisheries development activity has been intensified in identified clusters with necessary infrastructure support from various departments like water resources, energy, rural development and panchayati raj.

To boost fish production, the state government has taken up a host of measures like provision of subsidy up to 50 percent for pond development, leasing of 50 percent of the suitable brackish water area to beneficiaries of anti-poverty programmes such as self-help group, marginal farmers, below poverty line (BPL) families, primary fishermen cooperative societies, women cooperatives and educated unemployed youth for aquaculture, interest subvention on long and short term credit.

Adding that establishment of National Fresh Water Fish Brood Bank in Odisha will help the fishermen of the state for getting quality seeds, he said, the procedure for certification and accreditation of fish seed hatcheries in the state is being worked out.

The state government is now working on finalising a comprehensive Fishery Policy to accelerate the growth of the sector, he added.

Stating that lakhs of people are earning livelihood from fisheries activities, Patnaik said, a number of measures like accident insurance scheme, saving-cum-relief scheme to provide support during the fishing ban season, education and health assistance have got a good response from the beneficiaries.