Integrate value chain upgrades with push for higher fish production, says LG

Lieutenant Governor K. Kailashnathan has called for integrating value chain upgrades and marine sustainability measures into the push for higher fish production.

Inaugurating a two-day international workshop on ‘Upgrading Marine Fisheries Value Chain in the Bay of Bengal Region,’ co-hosted by the Bay of Bengal Programme – Inter Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO), Mr. Kailashnathan said if the income of the fishing community has to increase, then it is never going to be enough for them to catch more fish; the “value” obtained from it must increase.

Developing refrigeration facilities, ice plants, modern fish landing centres, quality certification systems and export infrastructure is essential to boost value addition and ensure better price realisation, he noted.

It is imperative to evolve sustainable fishery practices as a long-term collective responsibility to protect marine ecology, he added.

The workshop is supported by Government of Puducherry, the United Nations — Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, National Fisheries Development Board and Environmental Defense India Foundation.

“Puducherry is emerging as a leading maritime hub through its coastline, port facilities, human resources and skills,” the Lt. Governor said. “Karaikal, the only harbour-centric production-processing hub on India’s East Coast, places Puducherry in a strategic position to become a major export gateway, especially when 97 per cent of India’s exports are routed through ports,” Mr. Kailashnathan said.

The Puducherry government, in collaboration with the Central government, is making comprehensive changes in the fisheries sector through schemes like Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, the Prime Minister’s Fisheries Development Scheme of India.

Development of fishing harbours, provision of safety equipment, fishermen’s insurance, GPS facilities, promotion of deep-sea fishing, and financial assistance and training for women self-help groups are being undertaken on a continuous basis, he said. He also stressed that to compete in international markets, fisheries products must meet global standards.

Highlighting the strength of community institutions, the Lt. Governor described women fish cooperatives in Puducherry as a model for the country. “Women are at the forefront of fish drying, processing and making value-added products. They must be supported with training, credit facilities and marketing linkages,” he said, adding that empowering women would strengthen families and society as a whole.

He called upon experts to submit an action plan report to the Puducherry government at the conclusion of the workshop.

BOBP Director P. Krishnan said, “Unlike many regions, Puducherry has a unique, educated and relatively well-off consumer base with a strong preference for non-vegetarian food”.

International experts, policymakers, researchers, fisher cooperatives, women self-help groups, exporters and industry leaders are attending the workshop, which is expected to chart a comprehensive upgrading strategy for the marine fisheries value chain.