Lok Sabha Question No. 1077 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-02-08
Subject: Fisheries Startup Grand Challenge
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Alok Kumar Suman

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRYAND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1077 TO BE ANSWERED ON 8 TH  FEBRUARY, 2022

Fisheries Startup Grand Challenge

## 1077.   DR. ALOK KUMAR SUMAN:

Will  the  Minister  of FISHERIES,  ANIMAL  HUSBANDRY  AND  DAIRYING मत्स्यपालन , पशुपालन और डेयरी मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a)   whether  the  Ministry  in  association  with  Startup  India,  Ministry  of  Commerce  and Industry launched the Fisheries Startup Grand Challenge to provide a platform to startups within the country for their innovative solutions within the Fisheries and Aquaculture sector;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the scheme is to capitalize the young talent in the country for bringing in noble solutions in the fisheries sector, if so, the details thereof?
- (e) whether the Government has taken steps to  design and develop technology and solutions for enhancing the productivity so that the fishers and fish farmers can achieve better price realization; and
- (f)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  steps  to  develop  infrastructure  and  post-harvest management solutions  that  will  enable  fishers,  fish  farmers  in  creating  value  addition, value creation and value realization ensuring minimal wastage across the fisheries value chain in the State of Bihar including district Gopalganj?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRYAND DAIRYING (SHRI  PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

(a) to (c): Yes, Sir. The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India in association with Startup India, Ministry of Commerce and Industry has inaugurated the 'Fisheries Startup Grand Challenge' on 13th January 2022. The challenge has been launched with an objective to provide a platform to young talent within the country to showcase their innovative solutions within the Fisheries and Aquaculture sector. 12 select winners of the challenge will be awarded with a cash grant of Rs 2.00 Lakh. Further, up to 10 select start-ups will also be provided with the incubation support by an incubator selected by Start Up India for a period of 9 months by providing seed grant the selected start-ups.

(e) to (f):  The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying is  implementing  a  flagship  scheme  namely  'Pradhan  Mantri  Matsya  Sampada  Yojana (PMMSY)' with  highest  ever  investment  of  ₹20,050  crore in fisheries sector for a period of

5  years  with  effect  from  the  financial  year  2020-21  in  all  the  States  and  Union  Territories including  Bihar.  The  PMMSY  intends  to  address  critical  gaps  in  fish  production  and productivity, quality, technology, post-harvest infrastructure and management, modernization and  strengthening  of  value  chain,  traceability,  establishing  a  robust  fisheries  management framework and fishers' welfare.

The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying during  the  last  financial  year  2020-21  and  current  year  2021-22  accorded  approval  to  the proposals of the Government of Bihar at a total cost of Rs.273.49 crore with Central share of Rs.86.22 crore under PMMSY for development of fisheries and aquaculture in the State. Out of the Central liability of Rs.86.22 crore, a sum of Rs.41.90 crore has been released to the Government of Bihar under the PMMSY. The Government of Bihar has reported utilization of Rs.14.22 crore and an amount of Rs. 19.11 lakh allotted to the Gopalganj District.

Besides,  for  creation  of  strengthening  of  fisheries  infrastructure,  the  Department  of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying during 2018-19 created a dedicated fund namely Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) with a total funds size of Rs 7,522.48 crore. The FIDF provides concessional finance to the Eligible Entities (EEs), including State Governments/Union Territories and State entities for development of identified fisheries infrastructure facilities. The Government of Bihar has not submitted any proposals under FIDF.

Fishery is one of the fastest growing sectors amongst the primary producing sectors. However,  in  order  to  realize  the  true  potential  of  the  fisheries  sector,  technological breakthroughs  are  required  for  enhancing  production,  productivity  and  efficiency  of  the fisheries'  value  chain. Start-up  Challenge  envisage  to  tap  the  unrealised  potential  of  the fisheries  sector by  offering  varied  opportunities  for  bringing  in  scalable  business  solutions and maximizing the benefits for the fishermen and fish farmers.

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