Blue and Pink Revolutions

Blue Revolution

‘Blue Revolution 2.0/ Neel Kranti- a revolution called by the PM in the fisheries sector;  It refers to explosive growth in the aquaculture industry.

A few older initiatives were launched under the 7^th FYP -1980s. All these have been replaced by the PM Matys Sampada Yojana by the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying. These initiatives for the significant increase in fish production have been dubbed the Pink Revolution.

Around the world: The Blue Revolution first began in China. It accounts for around 2/3rd of the total aquaculture production worldwide by weight and roughly 50% by market value.

• India’s long coastline has the potential to become the strength of the economy.
• India can grow to the extent of a 10 trillion dollar economy as against 2.7 trillion dollars today with the help of the Blue Economy.

Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana

A scheme to bring about Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of the fisheries sector in India at an estimated investment of Rs. 20050 crores for holistic development of the fisheries sector including welfare of fishers. PMMSY is being implemented in all the States and Union Territories for 5 years from FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25.

OBJECTIVES of Blue Revolution

It aims to turn India into a hotspot for fish and aquatic products through appropriate policy, marketing and infrastructure support.

• Fish production target of 15 million tonnes by 2020 and raise it thereafter to about 20 million tonnes by 2022-23. Current production has reached only 13.1 Mn Tonnes.
• Modernize the fisheries with a special focus on new technologies
• Nutritional security
• Generate employment and export earnings
• Ensure inclusive development and empower fishers and aquaculture farmers

Challenges

1. Overfishing: FAO -90% of the global marine fish stocks have either been fully exploited or overfished or depleted.
2. Unutilized Aquaculture Potential: India uses only about 40% of the available ponds, tanks and other water bodies for freshwater aquaculture and 15% of the total potential of brackish water resources.
3. Discharge of harmful substancesinto water bodies.
4. Marine boundary disputes: Indian fishermen often cross the Indian EEZ accidentally and get arrested by Pakistan and Sri Lanka
5. Changing climate: challenges like coral bleaching, ocean acidification and rise in sea temperature.
6. Risk coverage: The inputs required in the fisheries are costly. It is thus vital to have accidental and life insurance in the sector.
7. Technology Upgradation: Most fishers in India still use traditional ways of fishing which can be inefficient.

Solutions for the Fisheries sector

1. Indianeeds to develop more scientifically its fishing system and other related aspects such as freezing, packaging, etc.
2. Development of Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture: cages/pens in reservoirs and other open water bodies, refrigerated & insulated trucks, Traditional Crafts Motorised, auto rickshaws, motorcycles & bicycles with ice boxes.
3. Development of Marine Fisheries, Infrastructure and Post-Harvest Operations: Like Fishing harbours, landing centres, ice plants & cold storage, and fish/prawn hatcheries.
4. Strengthening of Database & Geographical Information System of the Fisheries Sector,
5. Institutional Arrangement for the Fisheries Sector
6. Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) and other need-based Interventions.
7. National Scheme of Welfare of Fishers: Insurance cover, Skill training, assistance for Traditional/Artisanal fishermen, safety kits for Fishermen at Sea, and construction of houses for fishermen.
8. Other Activities by NFDB: like development of fish markets & fish mobile markets, Re-circulatory Aquaculture Systems (RAS).

Recent Initiatives under the Blue Revolution

1. Integrated Development and Management of Fisheries – formed by merging all the ongoing schemes. Its components are covered as ‘Solutions’ Above.
2. A separate ministry: Separating it from the Ministry of Agriculture gives it a separate identity – Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying.
3. Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana: Intends to bring all fishermen under the ambit of farmer welfare programmes and social security schemes. It addresses critical gaps in the value chainincluding infrastructure modernisation, traceability, production, productivity, post-harvest management and quality control.
4. Using MGNREGA Funds: The government under the MGNREGA has started todevelop the farm ponds, where pisciculture is taking place.
5. Infrastructure development under Sagarmala Project.
6. New Fishing Practices & Gears: being developed by the Fishery Survey of India (FSI) to minimize the physical and biological degradation of marine ecosystems.
7. Kisan Credit facilities extended to allied areas such as fisheries & animal husbandry.
8. ReALCraft: an Online application system for Vessel Registration under the Merchant Shipping (MS) Act and License Certificate under the Marine Fishing (Regulation) Act for the fishing vessels operating along the Indian coast. Objective:
   • To prepare a National database for fishing vessels.
   • Coastal security: prevent Illegal, unregistered and unreported (IUU) vessels.
   • To facilitate optimum utilization of the fisheries resources & ensure fishers’ security.

Outcomes of the Blue Revolution

1. New techniques of fish breeding,rearing, marketing and export – FFDA’s initiatives.
2. Annual production: 7 million tonnes including 1/3rd from freshwater aquaculture today.
3. Average annual growth of 14.8%in the production of fish and fish products in the last decade as compared to the global average of 7.5% in the same period.
4. Fisheries are in fact, India’s single largest agricultural exportwith a growth rate of 6-10% in the last five years. In comparison, the growth rate of the farm sector in the same period is around 2.5%.
5. World’s second largest fish producerwith exports worth more than 47,000 crore rupees.
6. Major markets for our products: USA is the largest market for Indian seafood products with a share of 26.46%, followed by South East Asian Countries- 25.71% and the European Union Nations- 20.08%.
7. The fisheries and aquaculture productioncontribute 1% to India’s GDP & over 5% to agricultural GDP.

National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB)

It was created in 2006 as an autonomous organization under M/o Fisheries.

Its Objectives are:

• Fully tapping the total fish potential of the country and triple production by 2020.
• Transforming the fisheries sector as a modern industry with a special focus on new technologies and processes.
• Doubling the income of fishers.
• Infrastructure creation: e-commerce and other technologies and global best innovations.
• Ensuring inclusive participation of fishers and fish farmers in the income enhancement.
• Tripling export earnings by 2020 with a focus on benefits flow to fishers and fish farmers.
• Enhancing food and nutritional security of the country.

PINK REVOLUTION:

Under the National Meat and Poultry Processing Board which works under the directives of the Ministry of Food Processing, in 2014.

Challenges of the Pink Revolution

1. Small Market: it accounts for only around 2% of the global market. [Brazil US Aus, Canada, India]
2. Quality Issues: Standardizing the quality and safety aspects of meat and poultry
3. Standardization: Creating standard policies for meat production and export
4. Testing facilities: Providing meat testing facilities
5. Poor Infra: Infrastructure facilities for modern slaughterhouses & Cold storage
6. Increasing investment: for upgradation to more hygienic method for meat and poultry processing
7. Cultural-Religious Factor

The potential of the Pink Revolution

1. Variety of Food & fodder available: at cheap prices
2. Low consumption currently: The present per capita consumption of meat is around 6 grams a day which will improve to 50 grams a day by the next decade or so.
3. Potential for North East: Meat consumption is Culturally prevalent & can help in the development of industry & export.
4. Growth in recent times in Poultry: It’s worth $700bn & growing at rates between 8-15% annually.
5. Government attention: promoting the Pink Revolution in India.

Government Policies Promoting the Pink Revolution In India

1. Tax concession: No excise duty or income tax is charged in the meat and poultry sector.
2. No Trade barriers: on the export of poultry and poultry products
3. Transport subsidiaries to some extent are being provided by the government.
4. Foreign Direct Investment -100 % FDI is now permitted to tap available opportunities across the sector.
5. Assistance for Modernization of Slaughter Houses and Carcass Utilization Plants.
6. Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF)
7. Kisan Credit facilities extended to allied areas such as fisheries & animal husbandry.

Did you Know?

Mithun Bull: Gayal or Mithun Bull is one of the world’s largest bulls. It is found in North Eastern India, Bengal and Myanmar.

 

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