Focus on Development in Fisheries and Dairy, ICAR to Lead Research on New Technologies

To promote fisheries, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chauhan, along with Minister of Animal Husbandry, Fisheries & Dairy, and Panchayati Raj, Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, held a meeting at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi. During this meeting, the formation of a high-level committee for the development of the fisheries sector was approved. The committee will include senior officials from the Ministries of Animal Husbandry, Fisheries & Dairy, and ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research).

Employment Opportunities in the Fisheries Sector:

Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh stated that ICAR is conducting research to develop new technologies and initiate several projects in the field of fisheries. He also mentioned his discussions with Lalan Singh on ensuring that farmers across the country benefit from these advancements at the earliest. The minister highlighted the vast opportunities for development and employment in the fisheries sector, emphasizing that this research will reach farmers, villages, and new startups, enabling further improvements. He noted the success of the "Blue Revolution" in fish production, positioning India as the second-largest producer in the world, with annual exports worth approximately ₹60,60000 crore.

Focus on Increasing Farmers’ Income:

The meeting, the Agriculture Minister also stressed the importance of sharing the experiences of successful farmers, livestock breeders, and fish farmers with a wider audience. He mentioned that awareness programs and camps would be organized to maximize benefits for small and marginal farmers. The government’s primary focus is to develop model farms to increase farmers' incomes and alleviate poverty in agriculture-related sectors.

India Leads in Milk Production: The Agriculture Minister proudly shared that India ranks first in the world for milk production. He also mentioned that the central government is working in a systematic manner to increase exports and free the country from FMD (Foot and Mouth Disease). During the meeting, Dr. J.K. Jena, ICAR’s Deputy Director General, presented key research areas and technology development from eight fisheries research institutions.