After white revolution, India to launch blue revolution to boost fish production

The Blue Revolution envisages transformation of the fisheries sector with increased investment, better training and development of infrastructure

Union Minister for Agriculture Radhamohan Singh has said that the government is all set to launch the 'blue revolution' on the lines of the 'white revolution' which played a big role in increasing milk production in the country.

The Blue Revolution envisages transformation of the fisheries sector with increased investment, better training and development of infrastructure.

Delivering the convocation address at the Central Institute of Fisheries Education in Mumbai on Friday evening, Mr. Radhamohan Singh said, India is the second largest producer of fish, however, it still lags China by a huge margin. He said India also scores low on productivity scale.

The Minister said the fisheries output in the country is presently about 10 million tonnes, with inland fisheries accounting for 5.6 million tonnes and marine fisheries 3.4 million tonnes. India has large natural resources, and water bodies such as reservoirs, lakes and ponds, in addition to an 8,118km-long coastline. So it is well positioned to have a Blue Revolution, he added.

Mr. Singh expressed concern over stagnation of production of marine fisheries. He said, deep sea fishing would require large investments and we have to explore possibilities of public-private partnership. The Minister also stated that largest species of fish are found in India, and there is also a tremendous scope for breeding of colourful ornamental fish.

The Minister said, so far the government's have focused mostly on agriculture and industry, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi has envisaged a grand plan for development of fisheries as a major employment generating economic activity.

Blue Revolution will focus on construction of new fishing harbours, modernization of fishing boats, imparting training to fishermen, and above all promote fishing as a self-employment activity.

A total of 128 degrees and 18 Ph.Ds were awarded at the 12th Convocation ceremony of the Central Institute of Fisheries Education at Versova, Mumbai. 29 students were honoured with gold medals for meritorious achievements.

Central Institute of Fisheries Education is a deemed university and a centre of excellence in the field of fisheries and allied subjects. It is one of its kind institute in India, and has 20 Fisheries Colleges spread across India.

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