Lok Sabha Question No. 1153 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-18
Subject: Contribution of Fisheries and Aquaculture
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: SHASHI THAROOR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY, DAIRYING AND FISHERIES LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1153 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18 TH  DECEMBER, 2018

## CONTRIBUTION OF FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE

## 1153. DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ षि और ककसान कल्याण मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that Indian fisheries and aquaculture sector contributes to nearly 6.3 per cent of global fish production and livelihood of nearly 4 million are dependent on this sector;
- (b) whether the Government is aware that there exists a great potential in the aquaculture sector, especially as a source of major exports, due to the coastline of 7,517 km and an extensive river  and  canal  system  of  about  195.210  km  and  pond  tank  resources  estimated  at  2.36 million hectare;
- (c) whether the Government is aware that there is an urgent need to give specialized attention and investment to utilise the immense potential in the fisheries and aquaculture sector;
- (d) if so, whether the Government is willing to establish a separate Ministry of fisheries;
- (e) if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS' WELFARE (SHRIMATI KRISHNA RAJ)

(a) and (b): Yes Madam.  The fisheries and aquaculture sector contributes to nearly 6.3 per cent of global fish production and livelihood of nearly 4 million are dependent on this sector.  As far as  potential  fisheries  resources  in  the  aquaculture,  inland  fisheries,  coastal  and  marine  sector, there is  substantial scope of export augmentation.

- (c)    The  Fisheries  division  of  Department  of  Animal  Husbandry,  Dairying  and  Fisheries, Ministry  of  Agriculture  and  Farmers  Welfare,  Government  of  India  is  implementing  various developmental schemes under the umbrella of 'Blue Revolution Scheme' for overall development  of fisheries sector, including enhancement  of  production and productivity, improving the livelihood of the fishers and welfare of fishermen for realizing 'Blue Revolution' in  the  country.    Besides,  this  the  Cabinet  Committee  of  Economic  Affairs  (CCEA)  has  also

approved  the  setting  up  of  a  dedicated  Fisheries  and  Aquaculture  Infrastructure  Development Fund (FIDF)  worth  Rs.7,522  crore  on  23rd October, 2018. This would  fill the large infrastructure  gaps  in  fisheries  sector  in  the  country  through  developing  infrastructure  projects such as fishing harbours/ fish landing centres, fish seed farms, fish feed mills/plants, cage culture in reservoirs, mariculture activities, introduction of deep sea fishing vessels, setting up of disease diagnostic and aquatic quarantine facilities, creation of cold chain infrastructure facilities such as ice plants, cold storage, fish transport facilities, fish processing units, fish markets, etc.

(d)  to  (f):  No,  Madam.  In  this  regard,  it  is  informed  that  a  separate  Department  of  Animal Husbandry and Dairying was carved out of the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation in February,  1991  and  the  Fisheries  Division  was  subsequently  transferred  and  included  in  it  in October, 1997 and the Department was renamed as 'Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries'.

Further,  Fishery  Division  of  Department  of  Animal  Husbandry,  Dairying  &  Fisheries, Ministry  of  Agriculture  and  Farmers  Welfare,  Government  of  India  has  been  implementing various  developmental  schemes  in  close  association  with  State  Governments/UTs  for  overall development  of fisheries sector, including enhancement  of  production and productivity, improving the livelihood of the fishers and welfare of fishermen, filling up infrastructural gaps etc towards realizing 'Blue Revolution' in the country. The current arrangement is   considered adequate and therefore there is no rationale for formation of a separate Ministry for Fishers .

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