Speaking at the Central Institute of Fisheries Education in Mumbai recently, Indian agriculture minister, Radha Mohan Singh said that the government is all set to launch the blue revolution on the lines of the white revolution which played a big role in increasing milk production in the country.
The Blue Revolution envisages transformation of the fisheries sector with increased investment, better training and development of infrastructure.
Mr Singh said: “India is the second largest producer of fish, however, it still lags China by a huge margin and we also scores low on productivity scale.”
Fisheries output in the country are presently about 10 million tonnes, with inland fisheries accounting for 5.6 million tonnes and marine fisheries 3.4 million tonnes, Mr Singh adds.
“India has large natural resources, and water bodies such as reservoirs, lakes and ponds, in addition to an 8,118km-long coastline. So it is well positioned to have a blue revolution,” Mr Singh stressed.
Expressing concern over stagnation of production of marine fisheries, Mr Singh said, deep sea fishing would require large investments and we have to explore possibilities of public-private partnership.
Mr Singh also stated that largest species of fish are found in India, and there is also a tremendous scope for breeding of colourful ornamental fish.
Blue revolution will focus on construction of new fishing harbours, modernisation of fishing boats, imparting training to fishermen, and above all promote fishing as a self-employment activity.
Central Institute of Fisheries Education is a deemed university and a centre of excellence in the field of fisheries and allied subjects. It is one of its kind institutes in India, and has 20 fisheries colleges spread across India.
