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Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Parshottam Rupala to start Sagar Parikrama Phase X today
Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Parshottam Rupala will start the Sagar Parikrama Phase X today wherein Union Minister will be travelling onboard Coast Guard Ship from Chennai to enter into coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh to interact with the fishers and stakeholders of the fisheries sector.
Union Minister Parshottam Rupala will interact with fishers to know their issues and suggestions, to inform them about the Government Schemes so that the maximum number of fishers, fish farmers can avail the benefits and also distribute certificates/sanctions relating to fishers and beneficiaries of the Government schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), Kisan Credit Card (KCC), etc.
The Union Minister and other dignitaries will visit and grace the events with their presence on 14th October, 2023 in Krishnapatnam and Nellore district in Andhra Pradesh. In Sagar Parikrama Phase –X officials from the Department of Fisheries, Government of Andhra Pradesh,
Senior officials from Department of Fisheries, GoI, National Fisheries Development Board, Indian Coast Guard, Fishery Survey of India, National Institute of Fisheries Post Harvest Technology and Training, Central Institute of Fisheries Nautical & Engineering Training will also participate.
The Camps are being organised by the officials at Nellore Districts for issuance of Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) to the fishers and fish farmers.
Fishers, Fishermen representatives, fish-farmers, entrepreneurs, fishermen cooperative society leaders, professionals, scientists, and other stakeholders will join the interactions during the journey of Sagar Parikrama at Krishnapatnam, Nellore District of Andhra Pradesh.
Background
Andhra Pradesh has 972 km long coastline, which is enriched with marine, brackish water and inland fisheries resources amenable for capture and culture fisheries. Marine fish production of the state stood at 41.27 lakh tonnes during 2021-22. The fisheries industry supports the livelihood of 10.48 lakh marine fishers through 1,689 mechanised and 22,257 traditional fishing crafts which are actively engaged in fishing and 14,96,688 marine fisher folks enrolled in Andhra Pradesh Fishermen Welfare Board.
The fisheries sector in India is a major contributor to the economy, providing livelihood to millions of fisher folk and generating export earnings. India is the third largest fish producer and the second largest aquaculture producer in the world, with a total fish production of 14.16 million tonnes in 2020-21.
The Government of India has launched various schemes and initiatives to boost the growth and development of the fisheries sector, such as the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) schemes. These schemes aim to enhance fish production and productivity, create infrastructure and post-harvest facilities, promote value addition and exports, ensure socio-economic welfare of fishers and fish farmers, and support sustainable and responsible fishing practices.
The fisheries sector in India has immense potential to further increase its contribution to the national income, food security, employment generation, and foreign exchange earnings. The sector also plays a significant role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
“Sagar Parikrama” is an evolutionary journey envisaged across the coastal belt demonstrating solidarity amongst all fisher folk, fish farmers and other stakeholders while also understand the on-ground challenges and problems of the fishers.
The first part of Sagar Parikrama was launched on 5th March 2022 from Mandvi, Gujarat (Sagar Parikrama–Phase I) and completed on 9th October 2023 at Chennai, Tamil Nadu (Sagar Parikrama–Phase IX) covering key areas of the State.
The nine phases of Sagar Parikrama have been completed and has covered 4,115 km in 9 Coastal states/UTs including Gujarat, Diu & Daman, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Aiming to resolve the challenges faced by the fishing community and facilitate their economic upliftment through various fisheries schemes and programs implemented by the government, such as the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) and to disseminate information about various fisheries related schemes and programs, promoting responsible fisheries with a focus on sustainable balance, and protection of marine ecosystems