Need for promoting small scale entrepreneurship in fisheries

Small scale entrepreneurship should be promoted in fisheries to improve living standards of fishermen and fish farmers, Union Minister Krishna Raj said today.

"Village level campaigns are required to create awareness among the fishermen and farmers about the prospects of entrepreneurship in fisheries sector," she said.

The Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare was interacting with scientists of the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) here.

"Women empowerment could be made possible by encouraging them take up entrepreneurial initiatives," she said.

She requested scientists to implement innovative and diversified farming practices to attract more people into fish farming.

The minister also stressed the need for upgrading living status of fishermen and fish farmers to that of industrialists.

She urged marine scientists to promote seaweed farming which, according to her, has multi-dimensional industrial prospects.

"Seaweed cultivation will greatly be beneficial to the development of various nutraceutical products, medicines and cosmetic products.

Promotion of seaweed farming will also help increase income of fishermen," a CMFRI release quoting her said.

The minister urged marine scientists to intensify research to boost seaweed cultivation in Indian waters.

The minister appreciated CMFRI's efforts in developing nutraceutical products against diabetes, arthritis, obesity and thyroid.

She also visited the National Marine Biodiversity Museum and the research laboratories at CMFRI.