Lok Sabha Question No. 2726 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-05
Subject: Livelihoods of Fishers and Livestock Farmers
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Shri T R Baalu, Dr. Pradeep Kumar Panigrahy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2726 TO BE ANSWERED ON 5 TH  AUGUST, 2025

## Livelihoods of Fishers and Livestock Farmers

## 2726.   Dr. Pradeep Kumar Panigrahy:

Shri. T R Baalu :

Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  science-backed  adaptation  and  mitigation  strategies  being  implemented  by  the Government across the fisheries and animal husbandry sectors to build resilience against climate change, protect vulnerable species and breeds, and safeguard the livelihoods of fishers and livestock farmers and if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government in this regard;
- (b) whether the Government has taken noticed that the imminent threat to the Blue Economy in the wake of  endangerment caused  by  climate  change  to  the  fishermen's  and  other  coastal  communities' livelihood and if so, the mitigation response of the Government in this regard;
- (c) whether the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) has offered necessary any assistance in this regard; and
- (d) whether the Government has accepted FAO assistance and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING (SHRI GEORGE KURIAN)

(a) and  (b):  The  Government  of  India  is  implementing  science-based  adaptation  and  mitigation strategies in the fisheries as well as animal husbandry sectors to build resilience against climate change, protect vulnerable species and breeds and safeguard the livelihoods of fishers and livestock farmers. Further this Department has taken note of the imminent threat to the Blue Economy posed by climate change, which may affect the livelihoods of fishermen and other coastal communities. In order to address these challenges, the Department of Fisheries, Government of India under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) in consultation with the coastal State Governments, has identified 100 coastal fishermen  villages  situated  close  to  the  coastline  as  Climate  Resilient  Coastal  Fishermen  Villages (CRCFV).

The  activities  promoted  in  the  identified  coastal  fishermen  villages  and  the  climate-resilient livelihoods under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) are need-based facilities, including development  of  common  facilities  like  aquaculture,  especially  the  mariculture  of  seaweed,  food  and ornamental fishes, bivalves etc., fish drying yards, fish processing centers, fish markets, fishing jetties, ice plants, cold storages, and emergency rescue facilities. Further, for livelihood and nutritional support for socio-economically backward active traditional fishers' families during fish ban/ lean period and insurance cover to fishers are also provided under the PMMSY scheme.

Further, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-Fisheries Research Institutes have been  contributing  to  promote  inland  and  marine  aquaculture  activities  through  ongoing  research, technology development and capacity building programs with funding support of the Government of India.

In addition to above, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying of Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying is implementing the Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP) in all States and Union Territories. The programme included the National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP) for vaccination against Foot and Mouth Disease and Brucellosis; the Critical Animal Disease Control Programme (CADCP) for vaccination against Classical Swine Fever and Peste des Petits Ruminants  (PPR)  and  Assistance  to  States  for  Control  of  Animal  Diseases  (ASCAD)  for  vaccination against state-prioritized diseases such as Lumpy Skin Disease and Rabies. The programme also covered the  strengthening  of  laboratories,  training,  culling  compensation,  and  the  establishment  of  Mobile Veterinary  Units  (MVUs)  under  the  Establishment  and  Strengthening  of  Veterinary  Hospitals  and Dispensaries  (ESVHD) component.  A  new  component-Pashu  Aushadhi-was added for  the  sale  of generic veterinary medicines through PM-Kisan Samriddhi Kendras and cooperative societies.

(c) and (d): The Department of Fisheries, Government of India has not received any assistance from the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) in this regard. However, to combat marine plastic pollution, particularly from fishing and maritime sectors, the Department of Fisheries, Government of India has been actively engaged in the global and regional efforts like Glolitter Partnership Project and Reglitter Project both  of  which  are  jointly  implemented  by  the  International  Maritime  Organization  (IMO),  Food  and Agriculture  Organization  of  the  United  Nations  (UN-FAO).  These  projects  focus  on  preventing  and reducing  Marine  Plastic  Litter  (MPL)  from  sea-based  sources,  with  an  emphasis  on  addressing Abandoned, Lost, or Discarded Fishing Gear (ALDFG) and wastes from ships. The Bay of Bengal Large Marine  Ecosystem  (BOBLME)  Project  funded  by  the  Global  Environment  Facility  (GEF)  and  North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) with co-financing from member countries and being implemented by the FAO in partnership with regional organizations viz . Bay of Bengal Programme InterGovernmental Organization (BOBP-IGO) in its member countries, including India. The BOBLME Project is promoting the concept of Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) that aims to integrate ecological  health,  social  equity,  and  economic  sustainability,  ensuring  that  fisheries  management addresses broader ecosystem and community needs .

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