Odisha aims at Rs 20,000 cr annual seafood exports in 5 years

Odisha has set the ball rolling to achieve the targeted Rs 20,000 crore seafood exports annually in the next five years by initiating the process to prepare a road map and action plan.

The Fisheries and Animal Resources Development department has selected Mangalore-based NITTE University as the consultant for preparing the road map.

" We will soon sign an agreement with the University as the consultant. They will prepare a roadmap in six months that will guide the state government to achieve ambitious target of Rs 20,000 exports", said an official in Fisheries and Animal Resources Development department.

In 2016-17, the state had exported seafood worth Rs 2100 crore compared to Rs 1796 crore exports recorded in 2015-16, an increase 17 per cent.

The state government has already promulgated Odisha Fisheries Policy, 2015. The brackish water land leasing policy is also in place for the fishing sector. The policy envisages increase in production, productivity and exports of fish stock.

The Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries has approved a Sea Food Park for the state under the Mega Food Park scheme for housing fish processing units of international standards.

As per government records, Odisha, with about 480 km coastline, is ranked sixth in the country in the total fish production. However, the state's exports figure as a contribution to all-India exports is dismal.

To improve the facilities to boost exports, the state government has decided to lease out 24000 hectares of the brackish water areas.

"The figure of Rs 20,000 crore exports per annum is achievable, though ambitious. The state government should facilitate infrastructure development such as improvement of fishing harbours and fish landing centres. The exporters must be assured of lending from banks to meet their working capital requirements", said Ajay Dash, president, Seafood Exporters' Association of India (SEAI), Odisha region.

The achievement of target also depends on the seafood park coming up in the state. The government should take steps to address the skill gap required for the seafood processing, he added.