Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairy, Prashotham Rupala, along with Minister of State Dr L Murugan, is scheduled to inaugurate the much-anticipated Sagar Parkarma Phase IX on October 7, 2023 at Thondi, Ramnad district. The Tamil Nadu initiative aims to strengthen fishing communities and promote government schemes in coastal areas.
The launch event will be attended by both Union Ministers and other dignitaries, who will participate in a series of events spread across eight coastal districts of Tamil Nadu including Pudukottai, Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Myladutharai, Cuddalore, Vellopuram, Changaluptu and Chennai. Along with Karaikal and Puducherry.
During Sagar Parkarma Phase IX, Prashotham Rupala and Dr. L. Murugan will interact with local fishermen and distribute certificates and approvals related to necessary government schemes including Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), fisheries and aquaculture infrastructure development. . Fund (FIDF), Kisan Credit Card (KCC), and State schemes.
The Union Ministers will also take a comprehensive review of the progress in implementing schemes related to fisheries, livestock and dairy during their visit. Apart from Thondi, key stage functions are scheduled at Nagapatnam Fishing Harbor on October 7, Pompohar Fishing Harbor, and Cuddalore Fishing Harbor on October 8, 2023. Information material about PMMSY, State Schemes, e-Sharam, FIDF, throughout Parkarma. And KCC will be widely disseminated to increase awareness and reap maximum benefits of these schemes.
Sagar Parkarma is an ambitious outreach program designed to connect with fishing communities along India’s vast coastline. The initiative aims to gain insight into the challenges, experiences and aspirations of fishermen while promoting awareness of government programs available to coastal residents.
Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Fisheries Department Officers, District Officers, Senior Fisheries Department Officers, Government of India, National Fisheries Development Board, Indian Coast Guard, Fisheries Survey of India, National Institute of Fisheries Post-Harvest Technology and Training , and Central Institute of Fisheries Nautical and Engineering Training will also participate in this initiative.
Various stakeholders including fishermen, fishermen representatives, fish farmers, industrialists, fishermen cooperative society leaders, professionals, scientists and many more, Sagar Parkarma Safar from Thondi, Ramnad district of Tamil Nadu to Chennai. will actively participate in events and discussions during It passes through many districts including Puducherry.
Puducherry, a union territory, has 1400 hectares of inland water areas in the form of ponds and tanks suitable for both fishing and culture. Additionally, it has 800 hectares of brackish water areas suitable for brackish water shrimp culture.
Tamil Nadu, with its 1,076 km long coastline (second largest in the country), is blessed with marine, brackish water, and inland fisheries resources suitable for both fishing and culture. In the year 2021-22, the state’s marine fish production reached 5.95 lakh metric tonnes, with an export value of Rs. 6,559.64 crores. The fisheries sector supports the livelihood of 10.48 lakh marine fishermen through 5,830 mechanized and 45,685 traditional fishing crafts, with 4,41,977 marine fishermen enrolled in the Tamil Nadu Fishermen’s Welfare Board.
Tamil Nadu’s rich biodiversity of fisheries provides livelihood opportunities to more than a million people in direct and ancillary activities. In 2021-22, the sector contributed 5.78% to the state’s agricultural GDP and earned valuable foreign exchange. This highlights the importance of the fisheries sector to the state and its contribution to national food security.
The initiative reflects the government’s commitment to address the challenges faced by fishing communities and promote their economic development through various fisheries schemes and programs such as Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and Kisan Credit Card (KCC). Is. It also emphasizes responsible fisheries management and protection of marine ecosystems.
First Published: 05 Oct 2023, 21:03 IST