Lok Sabha Question No. 3022 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-08
Subject: Aquaculture Industry
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Pocha Brahmananda Reddy

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3022 TO BE ANSWERED ON 8 TH  AUGUST, 2023

## Aquaculture Industry

## 3022. SHRI POCHA BRAHMANANDA REDDY:

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

- (a) whether the Government has made adequate efforts to revive aquaculture industry in the country;
- (b)     if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government is aware that the traditional pockets of aquaculture are facing huge challenges in reaping the market opportunities;
- (d) whether the Government is planning to initiate any strategy in promoting domestic as well as export-oriented market in aquaculture; and
- (e)     if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING (SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

(a) and (b): To  expand  aquaculture,  the  Department  of  Fisheries,  Ministry  of  Fisheries, Animal  Husbandry  and  Dairying,  Government  of  India  under  the  ongoing  Pradhan  Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) has taken steps to intensify and diversify inland fisheries and aquaculture  with  focus  on  diversification  of  species,  introduction  of  new  species  and peg the critical gaps in the demand and supply of quality brood, seed of cultivable species, speciesspecific feeds, adequate number of brood banks, hatcheries, seed rearing units,  specific pathogen free or  resistant  seed,  genetically  improved  brood  stock,  and  feed  mills.  The  Inland  fisheries  and aquaculture has contributed 74.59% to the total fish production of India during 2021-22.  Fishers, fish farmers and other stakeholders  are  being  encouraged  to take  up  aquaculture  through  fish  culture  in public ponds, in reservoir through stocking and cage culture, in estuaries and coastal water through marine cages, pen culture, RAS and biofloc, etc.

(c) to (e): The challenges faced  by  the  fishermen  and  fish  farmers  to  a  certain  extent,  include increasing the availability of quality seed, low cost feed, cold chain, marketing infrastructure and postharvest infrastructures.  The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) with an investment of  Rs.  20,050  crores  implemented  by  the  Department  of  Fisheries,  Ministry  of  Fisheries,  Animal Husbandry inter-alia envisages for promotion of domestic marketing of fish and fish-products as well as India's export competitiveness and higher price realization. These include quality fish production, expansion,  diversification  and  intensification  of  brackish  water  aquaculture,  promotion  of  exportoriented species, cold chain infrastructure facilities including cold storages, ice plants, preprocessing units, infusion of technology, robust disease management framework, promotion of good aquaculture practices, branding, standards, certification and traceability, training and capacity building, creation of modern post-harvest infrastructure, development of modern fishing harbours and fish landing centers, etc.    Further,  a  dedicated  fund  namely  Fisheries  and  Aquaculture  Infrastructure  Development  Fund (FIDF) with a total fund size of Rs. 7522.48 crore has been created to provide concessional finance to eligible entities including State Government/ Union Territories and private entrepreneurs for creation and strengthening of fisheries infrastructure.

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