The Blue Revolution, a term coined to signify the transformation in the fisheries sector, represents a concerted effort to enhance aquatic productivity through sustainable aquaculture practices. In the context of India, where fisheries play a crucial role in food security, income generation, and employment, the pursuit of pisciculture development is paramount. However, this endeavor is not without its challenges. One of the primary problems faced by the Indian fisheries sector is the lack of adequate infrastructure, including proper water management systems, access to quality seeds, and modern technology adoption. Additionally, issues such as overexploitation of natural water bodies, environmental degradation, and the prevalence of unscientific fishing methods contribute to the complexity of the situation. Furthermore, the socio-economic aspects, like the disparity in access to resources among different sections of the fishing community, hinder the equitable growth of the sector.
To address these challenges and promote sustainable pisciculture, several strategies are being employed in India. Firstly, there is a concerted effort to improve infrastructure by investing in the development of hatcheries, water reservoirs, and transportation facilities. This is complemented by initiatives aimed at enhancing the skills of fish farmers through training programs and the dissemination of modern aquaculture techniques. Additionally, the promotion of eco-friendly practices, like integrated fish farming and the use of biosecurity measures, is gaining traction to mitigate the environmental impact of pisciculture. Government policies that prioritize inclusivity and provide financial support to small and marginal fishers contribute to creating a more equitable and sustainable fisheries sector. In conclusion, the Blue Revolution in India requires a multifaceted approach, combining infrastructure development, technological innovation, and socio-economic inclusivity to overcome the challenges and ensure the sustainable growth of pisciculture in the country.
Tag: Distribution of key natural resources across the world including India.
Decoding the Question:
- In the Introduction, start with the definition of the Blue Revolution and its significance.
- In Body, elaborate on the problems and strategies of pisciculture development in India.
- In conclusion, put some data and mention the seriousness of the government to tap the potential of the fish industry.
Answer:
The term “Blue Revolution” typically refers to the global movement aimed at promoting the sustainable development and responsible management of aquatic resources, particularly marine and freshwater environments. Blue Revolution also called as Neel or Nili Kranti Mission in India was launched in 1985-1990 during the 7th Five-Year Plan.
Blue Revolution Significance:
- Food Security: India is the second-largest fish-producing country globally, with a total fish production of 13.89 million metric tons in 2021-2022. The fisheries and aquaculture sector contributes significantly to the country’s food security, providing essential protein and nutrition to millions of people.
- Economic Growth and Employment: The fisheries and aquaculture sectors in India employ over 14 million people, including fishers, fish farmers, processors, and traders. As of 2021-2022, the value of India’s fish production stood at INR 1,16,407 crores, highlighting the economic importance of the sector.
- Livelihood Support: Around 7.8 million people in India are directly engaged in marine and inland fisheries, and a large portion of them depend on fishing for their livelihoods. The Blue Revolution’s sustainable practices help secure the livelihoods of these coastal communities.
- Marine Biodiversity Conservation: India has a diverse marine ecosystem that supports more than 4,000 species of fish. The Blue Revolution’s focus on marine biodiversity conservation contributes to the protection of endangered species like the Olive Ridley sea turtle and the conservation of coral reefs and mangrove forests.
- Export Opportunities: India is one of the largest seafood exporters globally, exporting various seafood products to more than 100 countries. In 2021-2022, India exported 12,89,651 metric tons of marine products worth INR 46,662 crores, highlighting the significant export opportunities in the seafood sector.
- Climate Change Resilience: The Indian coastline stretches over 7,500 kilometers, making it susceptible to climate change impacts such as sea-level rise and extreme weather events. The Blue Revolution’s emphasis on climate resilience and adaptation measures helps build the resilience of coastal communities and ecosystems.
Problems of pisciculture development in India:
- Limited Access to Quality Seed: As per the Indian Fisheries Statistics 2023 report, only about 68% of the demand for quality fish seed is being met in India, indicating a shortage of reliable seed sources for pisciculture.
- Inadequate Infrastructure: The same report highlights that only 30% of the potential area suitable for fish farming has been developed, indicating a lack of adequate infrastructure for pisciculture.
- Water Quality and Pollution: According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) 2023, around 70% of India’s inland water bodies are polluted to some extent, affecting the quality of water available for fish farming.
- Disease Outbreaks: Disease outbreaks in fish farms can lead to substantial economic losses. For example, a study published in the Journal of Aquaculture Research and Development reported that a viral disease outbreak in Andhra Pradesh resulted in a loss of over 8,000 metric tons of fish valued at around INR 135 crores (approximately USD 18 million).
- Climate Change Impacts: A study published in the journal Nature Climate Change indicates that India’s marine fish catch could decline by 5% by 2050 and 9% by 2100 due to the impact of climate change on fish distribution and abundance.
- Limited Financial Support: The Indian Fisheries Statistics 2022 report reveals that only about 25% of fish farmers have access to institutional credit, indicating a lack of sufficient financial support for the sector.
Strategies of pisciculture development in India:
- Promoting Sustainable Aquaculture Practices:
- Scheme: The National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) implements the “Blue Revolution” scheme, which focuses on promoting responsible and sustainable aquaculture practices across the country.
- Act: The National Policy on Mariculture (2020) aims to promote mariculture practices to enhance fish production and generate livelihood opportunities.
- Enhancing Access to Quality Seed and Fingerlings:
- Scheme: The “National Fish Seed Farm” scheme supports the establishment of modern fish seed hatcheries to ensure the availability of quality seed and fingerlings for fish farmers.
- Act: The “Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF)” supports the creation of infrastructure for fish seed production, which helps enhance access to quality seed.
- Improving Infrastructure and Cold Chain Facilities:
- Scheme: The “Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)” is a flagship scheme aimed at modernizing the fisheries sector by developing infrastructure, including fishing harbors, landing centers, and cold chain facilities.
- Act: The “Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) Act” focuses on the development of export-oriented infrastructure and facilities to boost fish exports.
- Strengthening Research and Technology Adoption:
- Scheme: The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and various state agriculture universities run research and extension programs to develop and disseminate improved technologies and practices in aquaculture.
- Act: The “Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) Act” establishes the CMFRI as a research institute to address the scientific and technological needs of marine fisheries development.
Conclusion: Hence, India showed an average annual growth of 14.8 percent in the production of fish and allied products in the last decade compared to the global average of 7.5 percent in the same period. In the era of food insecurity, pisciculture shows enormous potential to serve the ever-increasing human population. Eco-friendly aquaculture following the environmental and socioeconomic needs of society must be evolved.
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