Among the thrust areas identified include value-addition, expansion of aquaculture, technological upgradation and tapping unexplored resources. The nodal agency for export of marine product is studying the feasibility of setting up aqua-farming in hinterland areas of Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh, MPEDA director marketing Kuruvilla Thomas told newspersons.
He said seafood exports for the current fiscal is estimated at Rs 7,200 crores ($ 1.64 billion) with frozen shrimps constituting as much as 64% of the value. While there had been a marginal increase in the quantity of frozen shrimp exports during the period, all other major items, such as frozen fish, cuttlefish and squid, showed a negative export growth in quantity terms.
On aquaculture, Mr Thomas said Rajiv Gandhi Centre for aquaculture is commercialising new technologies for scientific aquaculture.
He said MPEDA is also mulling to set up a aqua technology park near international airports. "India is home to over 600 varieties of fresh and marine ornamental fish and it has a huge potential to emerge as a leading producer of ornamental fish. We have identified a land near Kochi to set up the park at an estimated investment of Rs 3-4 crore which will promote the breeding and export of native and exotic ornamental fish variety," he added.
Source: The Economic Times