ByBizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, June 10, 2015 :

Odisha government will soon announce a Comprehensive Fishery Policy to boost the growth in the fisheries sector, chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday said. “It is almost in the final stage”, he added.

Inaugurating a workshop on “Opportunities in Development of Fisheries Sector in Odisha”, the CM said his government have recognised vast scope for development of inland, brackish water and marine fisheries in the State, which is currently providing livelihood to more than 14 lakh fishermen.

“The Department has drawn up strategies for enhancing production and productivity for doubling the fish production in 5 years. This sector has immense potential for generation of employment and higher income”, he remarked.

The government aims to enhance the marine food export to Rs.10,000 crores in the next five years, to acquire self sufficiency in the fresh water fish production, to conserve the aquatic resources and protection of genetic diversity.

Odisha has produced 4.67 lakh tonnes of fish during the last year, which is an increase by 13% over the previous period. The seafood export growth rate was a record 26% in the last fiscal, Patnaik added.

The state government is subsidising up to 50% for the pond development for pisciculture and is also providing interest subventions for long term and short term credit. Various measures have resulted in the development of pond area of 2226 ha during the last year, which is a 100% increase over the previous year.

The CM said land leasing for aquaculture has been revised. “Fifty per cent of the suitable brackish water area identified for the purpose will be earmarked for the beneficiaries of anti-poverty programme, persons under BPL category, fishermen by profession or by caste, poor and marginal farmers, Self Help Groups, Primary Fishermen Cooperative Societies, Women Cooperatives and Educated Unemployed persons. We have allowed companies and exporters registered in the State and partnership farms to apply for lease of land for aquaculture. The Government have issued instructions to the Revenue Divisional Commissioners and Collectors to expedite the lease process and I expect that most of the available land of 24,000 hectare identified for aquaculture will be brought under scientific culture within five years”, he hoped.

Establishment of National Fresh Water Fish Brood Bank in Odisha, construction of which has already been taken up will help the fishermen for getting quality seed. The Department is in the process of working out the procedure for certification and accreditation of fish seed hatcheries in the state, he said.

The CM gave a list of various welfare measures undertaken by his government, that include empowering fishermen through mobile telephone advisory services which has enrolled two lakh fishermen to receive five free of cost voice messages daily in Odia, covering 11 lakh fishermen under the Accident Insurance Scheme, providing benefit to 10,000 fishermen families under the Saving-cum-Relief Scheme to provide them support during the fishing ban season.

“My Government provided financial support of Rs.1.00 lakh each for boat and net assistance to 5,000 fishermen who were affected by Phailin and those fishermen families have regained their livelihood. To make the fishermen more resilient, we are providing pucca houses to those living on the coast and other parts of the State under various housing schemes on priority”, he claimed.

He expressed his happiness on the appointment of 112 Junior Fisheries Technical Assistants on Wednesday. “They will be joining the Department at time when the fisheries sector is looking up with bright prospects. Subsequently, 186 nos. of Veterinary Graduates will be appointed by this Department. The process has been started to recruit personnel to 942 nos. of posts in the Fisheries & ARD Department”, he said.