To enhance fish production in the state, Odisha government has entered into an agreement with WorldFish, an international non-profit research organisation, for the overall development of fisheries sector.
The agreement will be effective for five years from July, Fisheries and Animal Resource Development Minister Pradeep Kumar Maharathy said.
The project cost will be around Rs 22 crore, which will be funded by the state, he said.
While Commissioner-cum-Secretary, of Fisheries and Animal Resource Development department Bishnupada Sethi signed the agreement on behalf of the government, Michael Phillips, Programme Leader Aquaculture, represented WorldFish.
The agreement was signed in presence of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik yesterday.
"We have been working in Bangladesh for many years and have had great success in scaling up production with new technologies and training. We are honoured to be working with Odisha and look forward to bring some of that expertise to the state in the coming years," Phillips said.
Sethi said Odisha offers vast scope for development in the fisheries sector and the department looks forward to an integrated development in collaboration with WorldFish.
WorldFish will facilitate aquaculture operations through quality fish seed technology and farming systems.
"A long-term goal will foster a sustainable aquaculture sector in which the private sector would be more willing to invest," he said.
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As per the provision of the agreement, both the partners will also focus on improving the value chain and marketing of Odisha products, planning and management of existing resources as well as skill upgradation.
An official statement released by the chief minister's office said that the state has 6.76 lakh hectare of fresh water area which includes 1.25 lakh ha tanks/ponds, two lakhs hectare of reservoirs, 1.80 lakh ha of lakes, swamps and jheels and 1.71 lakh ha of rivers and canals.
Besides, brackish water and marine resources are also available in the state where shrimps and fish are produced, captured and marketed in and outside the state, Sethi said.
WorldFish is an international, non-profit research organization that harnesses the potential of fisheries and aquaculture to reduce hunger and poverty.
Globally more than 1 billion poor people obtain most of their animal protein from fish and 800 million people depend on fisheries and aquaculture for their livelihood.
