Odisha sets Implementation Road Map of Fishery Policy 2015 in Motion
Bhubaneswar, 20th February: The implementation Road Map of Fishery Policy, 2015 has been set in motion. The progress in implementation was reviewed by Chief Secretary Sri Aditya Parsad Padhi in the 1st State Level Steering Committee Meeting held in the secretariat conference hall today wherein Secretary Fishery & Animal Resource Development Sri Bishnupada Sethi presented the updates and outlined issues for discussion.
Reviewing the progress, Chief Secretary advised the department to make fishery activity bankable by promoting more and more entrepreneurs. Sri Padhi also directed to enhance the fishery lease period to 5 years to make it rewarding and sustainable. Participating in the discussion, Development Commissioner Sri R. Balakrishnan said that entrepreneurship in inland fishery need to be developed like that of marine fishery. It was decided to held a thematic specific meeting of SLBC on Fishery sector under the Chairmanship of the Development Commissioner.
Available data shows that the Odisha Fishery Policy, 2015 has been launched with the objectives of enhancing fresh water fish production from present level of 3.01lakh MT to 4.73 lakh MT by 2019, create 10,000 additional hect water area in private sector by 2018 and boost the fish export to worth of Rs.10,000 cr. per annum by the year 2020. Capacity building of fish farmers, involving SHGs in fishing activity and providing housing to fishermen are other objectives of the Policy.
Meanwhile, stocking of fish seed has been taken up in all the 30 districts during 2015-16 through Mastya Sampad Viksah Utsav. Rs. 3 cr has been provided for promotion of L.Vannamei farming as assistance for quality seeds. World Fish, Malaysia has been roped in for technical collaboration. Simplifying the land leasing policy for fishery has been taken up. Comprehensive fisheries development plan for Nabarangpur and Malkangiri districts have been finalized.
An exclusive cell has been set up in the Directorate of Fisheries for Export Promotion. A new State Plan scheme for popularization of fisheries machineries/ equipments started with budget provision of Rs. 1 cr during 2015-16. Another State Plan scheme with budget provision of Rs. 2 cr was also started during 2015-16 for cage culture in reservoirs.
The budget provision of Rs. 14.50 for the year 2016-17 was discussed in the meeting. The focus areas identified included development of waterlogged areas/dead rivers/Tamapara, development of rivers/open water bodies, swamps etc., collaboration with expert organizations and agencies, establishment of captive nurseries, fish stocking in reservoirs, augmentation of indigenous fish production, setting diagnostic laboratories, establishment of hatcheries, promotion of deep seas fishing, development of shore based facilities, post harvest management & value addition, insurance coverage and capacity building.
The new schemes proposed for 2016-17 included financial assistance to fishermen during fishing ban period with budget provision of Rs.16 cr., motorization of traditional craft for providing 2nd marine engine to fishermen after 4 years with budget provision of Rs.12.12 cr assistance to fishermen for livelihood development with budget outlay of Rs.6.25 cr and commercial fisheries enterprises with budget outlay of Rs. 7 cr.
Principal Secretary Forest & environment Sri Susreh Chandra Mohapatra, Principal Secretary Water Resources Sri Pradeep Kumar Jena, Secretary Panchayati Raj Sri Deo Ranjan Kumar Singh, Chief Executive Officer Chilika Development Authority Dr Ajit Kumar Patnaik, representatives of fishermen association, exporters association along with senior officers from respective departments participated in the discussions.