A blueprint for a blue revolution: NAF lays the roadmap

New Delhi, Sep 13 (UNI) A meeting of the National Association of Fisheries (NAF), chaired by Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, has drawn up a comprehensive blueprint for a blue revolution entailing revitalisation of ponds, development of infrastructure, better publicity of the government schemes and improved marketing of the products of poor fishermen.

The meeting said while the country has had a Green Revolution and a White Revolution, it is time now for a Blue Revolution.

"India is at par with China in resource endowment of fisheries, but ranks a low second. China stands first with 75 per cent market share in production and equally high share in value. India is nowhere near. India's long coastal line is all known story but what is less appreciated is it's under exploitation", Mr Pawar said.

The National Association of Fishermen (NAF) has prepared a 'Policy and Plan Agenda for Blue Revolution' at the Governing Body Meeting of the National Fisheries Development Board held at Hyderabad on September 9 2006, recommending a number of areas for immediate intervention for faster development of fisheries.

The Governing Body meeting was also attended by Minister of State for Agriculture Taslimuddin, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi, apart from Fisheries' Ministers of the States and representatives of stakeholders.

NAF Working Chairman B S Chauhan suggested that the Board should coordinate with Ministry of Water Resources and Panchayat Raj Institutions for development of Natural water bodies for fish cultivation.

The paper says at present about one lakh ponds in the country were not being put to any use and these can be allotted to the traditional fishermen living below poverty line for fish breeding.

Financial institutions, like NABARD, should be involved in funding these schemes. This will help generate employment to 10 lakh fishermen whose families can be brought above poverty line.

Mr Chauhan said in terms of socio- economic profile, fishermen rank much below farmers and dairymen. A Blue Revolution will have a direct bearing on the socio- economic lives of millions of fishermen who also happen to be among the poorest.

He urged that fisheries should be treated at par with agriculture so that funding can be easier.

The Association stressed the need for holding a meeting of the public sector banks to convince easier flow of funds to the fishermen.

Mr Chauhan also suggested that as the traditional fishermen were not aware of the Central and State Governments' schemes for their welfare and development of fisheries, a massive information campaign needs to be launched targeting this section of the society.

The NAF complimented the Agriculture Minister for setting up a National Fisheries Development Board with an allocation of Rs. 2,100 crore for six years but this falls grossly short of the desired allocation.

"Fisheries has immense export potential. Organised sea food exports is expected to be around Rs 6,000 crore. The country should work with a target of Rs 20,000 crore by 2011. Total fishing, including inland fishing, and those for domestic fishing can be increased many times over", he said.

The NAF urged that this allocation should be raised to Rs.15,000 crore. MORE UNI GS CS VC1752