Inspiring the Fish-Farmers
Inland fish production has increased from 28.23 lakh tonnes per year in 2000-01 to 121.21 lakh tonnes per year in 2021-22
Sagar Parikrama is a transformative voyage planned in the water across the coastal belt to show solidarity with the fisher folk, fish farmers, and related stakeholders in the spirit of the 75th Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, which honors our brave freedom fighters, sailors, and fishers.
It is a Government of India’s initiative aimed at resolving the issues of fishers and other stakeholders and facilitating their economic and overall upliftment through various schemes and programmes of fisheries implemented by the Government of India, such as Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY),FIDF and KCC.
The expansion of inland fish production, primarily driven by aquaculture, has been spectacular. Inland fish production increased 400 percent from 28.23 lakh tonnes per year in 2000-01 to 121.21 lakh tonnes per year in 2021-22.
Sagar Parikrama Yatra Phase VII which started from 8th June 2023 from Madakkara, Kerala, and covered the places like Pallikkara, Bekal, Kanhangadu, Kasaragode, touched Mahe (Puducherry), Kozhikode district on 9th June 2023, Thrissur district of Kerala on 10th June 2023, reached cochin on 11th June 2023 and concluded on 12the June at Trivandrum by covering entire coastal regions of Kerala.
Sagar Parikrama Yatra Phase VII was a great success as it continued for five days with an aim to facilitate interaction with fishermen, coastal communities and stakeholders so as to disseminate information of various fisheries related schemes and programs being implemented by the Government; demonstrating solidarity with all fisher folk, fish farmers and concerned stakeholder as a spirit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and to promote responsible fisheries with focus on sustainable balance between the utilization of marine fisheries resources for food security of nation and livelihoods of coastal fisher communities.
First day program was commenced from 8th June 2023 by Shri. Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Dr L. Murugan, Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Shri Saji Cheriyan, Minister of Fisheries, Government of Kerala, MP, Kasaragode, Shri Raj Mohan Unnithan, MLA, Kasaragode, and other public authorities in the presence of Smt. Suvarna Chandrapparagari, Chief Executive, National Fisheries Development Board who graced the occasion of Sagar Parikrama Yatra Phase-VII.
Dignitaries have visited different locations like Mussle Culture site, Madakkara, Pallikara Fishermen Colony, Kanhangadu, Kasaragode Town Hall. Hon’ble Shri. Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and other public authorities interacted with beneficiaries such as fish farmers, fishermen at various locations and beneficiaries highlighted their issues like replenishment as well as appraised for the tremendous contribution that KCC and PMMSY scheme has brought in the life of fishermen and fishing community.
Shri. Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying emphasized about focusing on increasing fisheries production, productivity, and its associated activities, including infrastructure development, marketing, exports, and institutional arrangements, etc. Further, beneficiaries like fishermen, fish farmers and other stakeholders were felicitated with Kisan Credit Card and QR Code Aadhar Card/E-Shram Card.
In all, around 5,000 fishermen, various fisheries stakeholders, and scholars participated in the Sagar Parikrama Phase VII program from different places.
According to Shri Rupala, he joined Sagar Parikrama to understand the profession, life, culture, and current state of respected fishermen which will help him in preparing the policy and thanked everyone for providing the valuable time.
Shri Abhilaksh Likhi, IAS, OSD (Fisheries), Government of India informed that major initiatives have been taken such as initiatives of KCC camps, setting up a team of technical officers for inspection of various infrastructure facilities. Also, 62 KCC camps were organized of which 744 KCC cards have been issued, 178 post harvesting facilities have been sanctioned.
It was informed that various fishing harbours have been launched, along with several projects such as expansion of fishing harbour, upgradation of biofloc unit, ornamental fishing, deep sea fishing vessel, cage water culture have been considered for improving the livelihood and strengthening fisheries ecosystem.
Further, beneficiaries like fishermen, fish farmers and other stakeholders were felicitated with Kisan Credit Card and QR Code Aadhar Card/E-Shram Card.
Overall, approx. 21,500 beneficiaries such as fishermen, fish farmers, fisher women and other stakeholders contributed and participated in Sagar Parikrama Phase VII during 5 days from across the entire coastal region of Kerala.
Sagar Parikrama is contributing to disseminate information on fisheries related schemes/programs implemented by the government, showcasing the best practices, promoting responsible fisheries and demonstrating solidarity with all fisherfolks and concerned stakeholders.
Also, the interaction with fishers, fishermen and other stakeholders is helping to understand the problems and concerns in the fisheries sector at ground level.
It is said that upcoming Sagar Parikrama phases will inspire and create impactful efforts to address the concerns of fishermen and encourage them in availing various schemes including PMMSY and KCC for their betterment.
