Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects in Palghar, Maharashtra. The projects include the inauguration and laying the foundation stone of 218 fisheries projects worth around Rs 1,560 crore. PM Modi launched the national rollout of the Vessel Communication and Support system at a cost of around Rs 360 crore. The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for important fishery infrastructure projects including the development, upgradation and modernization of fishing harbours, fish landing centers and construction of fish markets. He handed out transponder sets and Kisan Credit Cards to fishermen beneficiaries.
The Prime Minister emphasized that the fishermen community of India are the most important partner when it comes to ocean-related opportunities. Recalling his conversation with the beneficiaries of the PM Matsya Sampada scheme, the Prime Minister highlighted the transformation of the sector in the last 10 years owing to government schemes and its spirit of service. Informing that India is the second-largest fish-producing country in the world, the Prime Minister pointed out that in 2014, 80 lakh tonnes of fish were produced in the country compared to 170 lakh tonnes of fish today.
“Fish production has doubled in just 10 years”, he exclaimed. He also stated India’s growing seafood exports and gave the example of shrimp export worth more than Rs 40 thousand crore today compared to less than Rs 20 thousand crore ten years ago. “Shrimp export has also more than doubled today”, he added, crediting its success to the Blue Revolution Scheme which helped in creating lakhs of new employment opportunities.
Throwing light on the government’s efforts to boost women’s participation in the fisheries sector, the Prime Minister mentioned assisting thousands of women under PM Matsya Sampada Yojna. He spoke about advanced technologies and satellites and mentioned the launch of the Vessel Communication System today which will become a blessing for the fishermen community.
PM Modi declared that the government plans to install 1 lakh transponders on vessels used by fishermen to establish uninterrupted connectivity with their families, boat owners, fisheries department and coast guards. This, the Prime Minister said, will help fishermen communicate in times of emergency, cyclones or any untoward incidents through the help of satellites. “It is the government’s priority to save lives during any emergency”, he assured.
The Prime Minister informed that more than 110 fishing ports and landing centers are being built for the safe return of fishermen’s vessels. Giving examples of cold chain, processing facilities, loan schemes for boats and PM Matsya Sampada Yojana, the Prime Minister said that the government is paying more attention to the development of coastal villages while fishermen government organizations are also being strengthened.
The Prime Minister stated that the present government has always worked for those belonging to the backward classes and gave opportunities to the deprived, whereas the policies formed by previous governments always held the fishermen and tribal community at the margins with not even a single department for the welfare of tribal communities in such large tribal-dominated areas in the country.
“It is our government that created separate ministries for both fishermen and tribal communities. Today, the neglected tribal areas are availing benefits of PM JanMan Yojana and our tribal and fishermen communities are making a huge contribution towards the development of our country,” Shri Modi remarked.
Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, Rajeev Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, first expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a program organized in Palghar, Maharashtra. He said that these schemes will provide employment to approximately 5 lakh 25 thousand people directly and indirectly. The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana has brought a revolution in the field of fish production. He said that fish production has doubled in the last 9 years. Until 2013-14, fish production was only 95.79 lakh tons. In 2022-23, fish production reached 175.45 lakh tons, which is double that of 2013-14.
He said that under the leadership of the Prime Minister, fish exports have also increased. In 2013-14, exports were worth only Rs 30,213 crore, which has now increased to Rs 60,523 crore. Fish is exported to 123 countries in the world and the largest importer country is the United States of America, which is our biggest market.
Union Minister Rajeev Ranjan said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched a developed transponder in the country today, which will be given free of cost to fishermen on board, which can be connected to any Android phone. He said that through this transponder system, fishermen will be connected to their families through 6 satellites and will be able to contact their families. Through this transponder, fishermen will be informed about which area of the sea has more fish available, so that fishermen and vessels do not have to wander far and can fish there, which will also increase their income.
He said that through this transponder, fishermen will be informed about the dangers coming in the sea. They will also be warned before crossing the maritime border. The transponder system will bring a revolution in the entire fish production sector. Rajiv Ranjan Singh said that the Prime Minister has also provided social and economic security to the people engaged in fish production. For social security, the Prime Minister has provided security through insurance.
If any fisherman dies in an accident, he gets 5 lakh rupees, if injured, gets 2.5 lakh rupees, if someone is undergoing treatment in the hospital, gets assistance of 50 to 25 thousand rupees through insurance. Farmers and fishermen have been linked to the Kisan Credit Card. Today, through the Kisan Credit Card, fish production is increasing and in the coming time, production will be such that we will be able to export up to 1 lakh crore rupees worldwide.