Lok Sabha Question No. 2017 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-01
Subject: National Fish Farmers Day Meet-2023
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Bidyut Baran Mahato

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2017 TO BE ANSWERED ON 1 st  AUGUST, 2023

National Fish Farmers Day Meet-2023

## 2017.   SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

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

- (a)   whether the Government has recently celebrated the National Fish Farmers Day Meet2023;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof and the main highlights of the said meet;
- (c)   whether Department of Fisheries has launched the Fisheries Startup Grand Challenge in partnership with Startup India hub and DPIIT to identify, reward and recognize start-ups creating impact in the fisheries ecosystem; and
- (d)  if so, the details thereof and the number of startups selected thereunder?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRYAND DAIRYING

## (SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

(a) and (b): Yes, Sir. Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (FAHD), Government of India, celebrated the National Fish Farmer Day Meet-2023 on 10th -11th July 2023 at Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu with the aim to review the progress of various programs and schemes, with a special focus on PMMSY, and also to deliberate and plan a way forward to harness the potential of fisheries resources available across the country. The  Honourable  Minister  of  State  for  FAHD,  the  State  Honourable  Minister  incharge  of Fisheries, alongwith the senior officers from the States/UTs were present during the Meet.

During the Meet, 176  Fisheries  Projects  covering  20  States/UTs  across  the  country worth  of  Rs.  138.13  crores  were  virtually  inaugurated,  followed  by  interactions  with  the beneficiaries from various states and UTs to discuss the issues and challenges. The projects inaugurated  included  fish  hatcheries,  shrimp  hatcheries,  biofloc  units,  fish  feed  mills, ornamental fish units, fish value-added enterprises, brood banks, recreational fisheries, cage culture units, the RAS system, insulated fish transport vehicles, fish retail kiosks, etc. These projects had an impact on around 15,000 beneficiaries at the grass-roots level, covering 20 states/UTs.  Beneficiaries  from  different  States/UTs  shared  their  field-level  experiences, highlighted their issues, and applauded the tremendous contribution that the PMMSY scheme and KCC have made to the lives of fishermen and fish farmers. The launch of the Report Fish Disease App (RFD) application was also highlighted, which allows farmers to report disease incidences  in  their  fish  farms  and  seek  scientific  advice  from  field-level  officers  and  fish disease experts. The meet also featured the inauguration of the Exhibition on Fisheries StartUps/Fish FPOs / Fish cooperatives. Around 50 stalls were exhibited during the event, covering various aspects of fish farming, aquaculture, and related technologies.

Around 23,000 stakeholders, including fishermen, fish farmers, scholars, scientists, and officials, attended the event virtually across 33 States/UTs from 260 locations on National Fish Farmers Day Meet 2023. (c) and (d): 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 launched the 'Fisheries Startup Grand Challenge' to identify, reward and recognize startups creating impact in the fisheries ecosystem. The Challenge is aimed to foster start-up culture within the sector and to establish a strong foundation of the entrepreneurial model. The selected 12 winners of the challenge are awarded a cash grant of Rs 2.00 lakh each. Further, the incubated startups will be assisted with a grant up to Rs 20.00 lakh (general category) and Rs 30.00 Lakh (SC/ST/woman) each to develop their products in incubation.

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