Govt planning to develop policy for fisheries sector: Singh

He said blue growth is another important area for sustainable food security

The government is planning to develop a policy for the fisheries sector, as it is an important area of food security, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said today.

Singh was speaking at the inauguration of the 33rd session of Asia Pacific Fisheries Commission at Hyderabad.

"Blue growth is another important area for sustainable food security. The oceans and the inland waters of our countries offer excellent scope for blue growth. The under- exploited potential resources of the country can usher in a 'blue revolution' or 'aquaplosion' by utilising the same," an official statement said.

The resources are to be judiciously and rationally utilised for aquaculture, he said, adding that "we are also planning to develop a policy for aquaculture growth in the country, considering its vast potentials".

Highlighting the importance of the fisheries sector in providing livelihood to a large section of the population and also vast potential of fisheries in the country, the minister strongly advocated sustainability and fishermen's welfare.

Singh also said that India is at number 2 in global fish production. Further, India stands world number two in the sectors of Inland capture and aquaculture.

"This sector is confronted with serious inadequacies of planning, funding and management despite being one of the most rapidly growing sectors of the global agricultural economy and despite being the only solution to the global availability of food fish," he said.