Fourth largest seafood exporter globally

NEW DELHI, 29 June 2020: India has now become second largest aquaculture producer in the world and fourth largest seafood exporter, Dr. Rajeev Ranjan, Secretary, Fisheries said while describing fisheries as a sunrise sector.

Speaking at the webinar organized by Department of Agriculture Cooperation & Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India hosted two webinars on 25 - 26 June 2020, Dr Ranjan said that fisheries sector has grown by 10.87 percent between 2014-15 to 2018-19.

The webinar discussed two topics, the first webinar was on the topic “Landmark Reforms in Indian Agriculture – Investment Opportunities Arising in Agri Enterprises”, while the second webinar dealt with “Ushering a new dawn in Agri Reforms – Strategic Policy Shifts : The Policy Makers’ View”.

The webinars were addressed by Sanjay Agarwal, Secretary, Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Atul Chaturvedi, Secretary, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Dr. Rajeev Ranjan, Secretary, Fisheries and Smt. Pushpa Subrahmanyam, Secretary, Food Processing, Government of India.

During the five year period, fish production was increased by 7.53 percent, while fisheries exports have grown by 9.71 percent and India’s global share of fish production has grown to 7.73 percent, Dr Rajan added.

With this, India is not only the second largest aquaculture producer in the world, but also fourth largest sea food exporter. The USPs of the fisheries sector are its high growth rate, vast and diverse resources, low investment with high returns, low gestation period, strong technical backup, huge consumer base and export opportunities, Dr Rajan underlined. 

Dr Ranjan projected the key targets of Government of India in this sector in next five years – fish production targeted to be raised from 137.58 lakh tons in 2018-19 to 220 lakh tons in 2024-25, average aquaculture productivity to be raised from 3.3 tons/ha to 5.0 tons/ha in 2024-25, fisheries exports to Rs 1 lakh crore by 2024-25 and Rs 2 lakh crore by 2028, and employment generation from about 15 lakhs in 2018-19 to about 55 lakhs in 2024-25.

He also elaborated on the recent policy reforms and government initiatives in fisheries sector like Fisheries Infrastructure Development Fund and KCC facility to fishermen.

The Secretary outlined the investment opportunities in fish farming like brackish water aquaculture, cage farming, seaweed farming, ornamental fisheries; and in support services like brood banks, hatcheries, feed manufacturing, value chain and processing, etc.