SAWAIOM FRESH FARM
State faces annual shortage of 22,000 MT of fish http://www.theshillongtimes.com/2017/05/18/state-faces-annual-shortage-of-22000-mt-of-fish/
“We also need to find a linkage from the fish ponds scattered in parts of the State to the nearby markets as
Earlier, the Fisheries Department had a meeting with fish traders in the city in this regard.
According to Kharshiing, in this context, the Fisheries Department officials informed that fish farmers can explore selling live fish in the market even if it is at a premium rate.
“The fish farmers also wanted to know whether any chemical preservatives were used. But we presume that ice is used to preserve the fish for many days,” Kharshiing said.
During the meeting, the fish pond owners raised questions as to whether it is safe to consume fish imported from Andhra Pradesh as trucks take 18 to 21 days to reach Meghalaya.
Kharshiing said during the visit of a delegation of the State Planning Board to West Jaintia Hills, it was found that fish consumption in the district is 1,770 MT annually while production in the district is only 408 MT, leaving a shortage of 1,362 MT.
He said Iewduh (Bara Bazar) alone needs 15 MT of fish daily, according to official data.
“If we roughly calculate, over Rs 440 crore is going out from the State annually for import of fish,” Kharshiing said.
The co-chairman of Meghalaya State Planning Board, John F Kharshiing, who chaired the meeting, said while the demand for fish per annum is 30,000 metric tonnes (MT), production is only 8,000 MT and hence, 22,000 MT of fish is imported, especially from Andhra Pradesh.
There are as many as 56 community fish sanctuaries in the State.
The shortage was revealed by the State fishery officials during a meeting convened by the State Planning Board on Wednesday and attended by stakeholders who maintain fish sanctuaries.
SHILLONG: There is a shortage of 22,000 metric tonnes of fish in the State per year which exposes the tardy implementation of the Meghalaya State Aqua Culture Mission.are not being able to sell the local varieties without marketing facilities,” Kharshiing said.
On themuch hyped Aqua Culture Mission, Kharshiing claimed that some progress has been made as there is a rise in fish production compared to the past.
However, critics have pointed out that ever since the Mission was launched in 2012, the government had proclaimed about attainingself sufficiency in fish production, but in vain.farmers
Meghalaya Aquaculture Mission a fishy affair; State still thrives on Andhra fish!
SHILLONG, May 24, 2017: Despite Government pumping crores of rupees in the past few years to the State Aquaculture Mission, the association of fish dealers of Khasi and Jaintia Hills who import fish from Andhra Pradesh stated that the Aquaculture Mission is a total failure since the fish production in the State has not improved.
Addressing newsmen here today, President of Khasi Jaintia Fish Wholesaler and Retailer Association, Mitchel Wankhar said the mission has been successful in promoting gambling instead of increasing the fish production in the State.
‘It is a fact that Aquaculture Mission is only for the purpose of gambling. Since the launching of the State Aquaculture Mission, the number of fishing competitions organised in the State have increased by ‘leaps and bounds,” Wankhar stated.
It may be mentioned that fish farmers here organise fishing competitions and during such events the winners are offered cash prizes.
“The government provides funds to dig ponds and also provide fish seedlings but the results come to naught. At the end of the day they question the quality of fish brought by us from Andhra Pradesh,” Wankhar said.
The state aquaculture mission has completed its fifth year in March this year but the State has failed to achieve its target of producing 15,000 metric tonnes of fish within 2017.
During the launch of the Meghalaya Aquaculture Mission in 2012, Chief Minister, Dr Mukul Sangma had announced that the State would be able to produce 15000 tonnes of fish in the next five years.
As on 2012 when the mission was implemented, Meghalaya produced about 5,000 metric tonnes of fish annually. Now, Meghalaya produces only around 8,500 metric tonnes of fish, even while the demand has gone up to around 33,000 metric tonnes annually.
Meghalaya faces a production deficit of 24,500 metric tonnes hence the demand for fish is met by importing fish from outside, including Andhra Pradesh.
According to the Fish Wholesaler and Retailer Association the fish farmers in Andhra Pradesh are into the trade for their livelihoods but in Meghalaya it is only a hobby.
“The rural communities along the coastal areas and interiors have taken up aqua-culture as their main source of sustenance rather than a piece-meal livelihood which unfortunately has not been fully utilised here in the state,” Wankhar said.
According to Wankhar in spite of the state fisheries department and other agencies supporting the aquaculture – mission certain elements have either misused funds or failed to compete in the fast changing economy.
“They (fish farmers in Meghalaya) don’t even know how to feed the fishes. Our neighbouring state of Assam is better off and even Tripura’s own fish production has gone up,” Wankhar informed.
The Association also said, “The local fish farmers mostly produce the “grass carp” and “silver carp” varieties of fish which are not in demand. Consumers should be consulted as to what variety of fish they prefer.”
The Association, also clarified that the fish supplied from Andhra Pradesh has always been fresh and they are packed in “non-toxic” thermacol boxes till the time they reach Meghalaya in five days.
Is Imported Fish to Northeast India causing Cancer?
The state of Mizoram is dubbed as the ‘Cancer Capital of India’ and it is a worrisome trend if the state is given such a status and the same applies for the rest of the Northeast where cancer is supposed to be one of the biggest reasons for death.
Many have termed use of Tobacco, Kwai or even eating smoked meat as one of the main reasons why there is cancer in the region.But recent studies show that Fish imported to northeastern states contain formalin which leads to cancer.
Health is wealth but as per research findings through the Population-Based Cancer Registries report, over 700 people have died of cancer each year from 2012-14. The reports also revealed that new cases of cancer have been reported between 2012 and 2014 with numbers going to 4656 with a number of males going ahead at 2567 and female at 2089.
The latest shocker is that imported fish in the region contains formalin when injected causes cancer and the reason is to preserve the freshness of the fish when it reaches the state and market.
Formalin, as defined in Wikipedia, is a naturally-occurring organic compound and an important precursor to many other materials and chemical compounds. It is mainly used in the production of industrial resins, e.g., for particle board and coatings.
In 2011, the US National Toxicology Program described formaldehyde as “known to be a human carcinogen”!!!
Rs 10,000 cr to boost fisheries, aquaculture and animal husbandry: Budget 2018-19
February 1, 2018
New Delhi, February 1 (IANS) Extending the facility of Kisan Credit Card to farmers engaged in fisheries, aquaculture and animal husbandry, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Thursday allocated a dedicated fund of Rs 10,000 crore to develop the sector.
The move is expected to enhance standards of animal rearing in the country and production, even as the government in 2016 amended norms and hiked standards under Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules 2016 and a similar rule for aquarium and fish tanks.
“We propose to extend Kisan Credit Card to fishery and animal husbandry farmers.
“For Fisheries and aquaculture, Animal Husbandry the government dedicates a corpus fund of Rs 10,000 crore,” the Finance Minister said while presenting the 2018-10 Union Budget.
India globally ranks second in fisheries and second in aquaculture according to the National Fisheries Development Board. Considered an important sector to provide nutritional security, the fishery and aquaculture sector alone engages 14 million people, while it constitute about 1.1 percent to country’s GDP and 5.15 percent to the agricultural GDP. The total fish production of 10.07 million metric tonnes.
Manipur bans sale of imported iced-packed fish after detection of toxic formalin
As per the state fishery department, Manipur consumes around 52,000 metric tonne of fish in a year. Of the total quantity, the state produces around 32,000 metric tonne while the remaining is imported from outside.
Written by Jimmy Leivon | Imphal | Updated: June 30, 2018 10:28:04 pm
(Express archive photo)
The Manipur government on Saturday banned the sale of iced-packed fish imported from other states after traces of formalin was found in the fishes. An order in this regard was issued by Nodal officer (Food Safety) Manipur, Ch. Sanajaoba Meitei.
Following the reports of seizure of huge quantity of fish products with traces of formalin from Nagaland and Kerala, the Manipur Fishery Department conducted an investigation to determine the possibility of the substance in fish products available in the state.
Formalin is a toxic chemical which is used to preserve bodies and prevent its decay in mortuaries. It is derived from formaldehyde, a potential cancer-inducing chemical.
Reportedly, fish samples were collected from different outlets across the state which were later found to have traces of formalin. “We have confirmed the presence of formalin in the samples of iced pack fish products imported from outside the state. As a result, the government has instructed to impose a ban not only on the sale of iced-packed fish products but also declared them unsafe for consumption,” said the nodal officer.
As per the state fishery department, Manipur consumes around 52,000 metric tonnes of fish a year. Of the total quantity, the state produces around 32,000 metric tonnes while the remaining is imported from outside.
“With Manipur being a major fish consuming state we are trying our best to solve the problem which has become a nation-wide menace. We are closely working with Central Food Technological Institute to bring out a testing kit at a reasonable price,” revealed Ch. Sanajaoba Meitei.
The testing kit which might cost Rs 10 will help the people to detect formalin or other harmful preservatives in fish, it will be introduced within a month. The ban on sales and consumption would be automatically lifted once the testing kit is introduced in the market.
The Tamenglong district authority has also prohibited sales and consumption of iced-packed fish products imported from other states.
Mokokchung bans sale of imported fish until formalin issue is resolved
June 27, 2018
DIMAPUR, JUNE 26 (MExN): Following the report of formalin treated fish confiscated by authorities in Kohima, the Mokokchung Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) on Tuesday resolved that fish traders will not sell any imported fish in Mokokchung with immediate effect.
This decision, said to be made in the interest of public, was taken at a meeting held with the fish traders union, a press release issued by MCCI president Tsukti Longkumer, and general secretary Limalenden Longkumer stated.
In this connection, fish sellers will refrain from selling any kind of imported fish other than live ones like catfish and eel until such time as the competent authorities gives the green signal, the MCCI informed. It also urged the authorities to resolve the issue at the earliest before much damage is done to the local fragile economy since 100% of the fish business in Mokokchung being run by locals.
The MCCI also urged the Mokokchgung district administration to prohibit transportation and sale of fish by traders of the so-called “weekly bazaar” in Mokokchung district immediately. It cautioned that if “traders from Assam were found selling any fish anywhere in Mokokchung when the local fish traders have voluntarily refrained from the business in public interest, the district administration would be held solely responsibly.”
It also maintained that the fish traders in Mokokchung were merely buying from Assam and reselling in Mokokchung and there should be no reason to even assume that the local fish sellers were involved in treating fish with formalin.
Govt May Test For Formalin In Imported Fish
By Our Reporter On Jul 4, 2018
Out of 25,000 fish ponds constructed with the loan from banks assisted by the state government, many of the 17,000 ponds were used for gambling, thereby defeating the purpose of ensuring self-sufficiency in fish production, a fishery official added.
The state government’s aquaculture mission was affected after the pond owners resorted to fishing competition or gambling instead of taking the fish products to the nearest market.
Fishponds used for gambling
According to an assessment made in May 2017, the demand for fish per annum is 30,000 metric tonnes (MT) while production is only 8,000 MT and hence, 22,000 MT of fish is imported, especially from Andhra Pradesh.
A senior official dealing with fisheries said the department will collect samples of fish to be tested in the laboratory at ICAR, Umiam.
Fish products imported from Andhra Pradesh were also seized in Kerala recently after formalin traces were found in them.
Nagaland and Manipur recently banned imported fish packed in ice since there were traces of formalin, a preservative, which is harmful for humans.
SHILLONG: The state government may carry out test on fish packed in ice and imported from other states following a ban on such fish by two northeastern states.
State Prepares To Ban Imported Fish
Second test conducted in Guwahati confirms presence of formalin
By By Our Reporter On Jul 17, 2018
SHILLONG: The state government is set to ban import of fish from outside the state after traces of formalin were found in the imported fish samples.
With the second test confirming the presence of the chemical preservative (formalin), the state government is now planning to ban import of certain types of fishes, an official said.
Meghalaya imports fish mainly from Andhra Pradesh.
“We will analyse the test result which was found to be positive, following which a ban is expected to be enforced”, said Additional Chief Secretary in charge Health, PW Ingty.
The commissioner of food safety had sent the fish samples to Guwahati for testing.
“While the first batch of samples tested negative, the second batch sent to Guwahati was found to be positive”, Ingty said.
No facility in ICAR
Earlier, the Fisheries Department had sent the fish samples to ICAR for testing.
However, the ICAR wrote back to the superintendent of fisheries expressing its inability to test the samples owing to lack of facilities.
Later, the department sent the samples to NEHU.
Fisheries Minister Comingone Ymbon said he will announce the government decision regarding the outcome of the test on Wednesday.
The state produces around 12,000 metric tonnes (MT) of fish every year and imports 9,000 MT to address the total demand of 21,000 MT.
Though production increased by 6,000 MT over the years following the launch of the aqua culture mission, Meghalaya is yet to become self-sufficient in fish production.
Doubling Of Farmer’s Income Targeted
By From Our Correspondent Last updated May 2, 2018
TURA: With the objective of creating awareness among farmers regarding the strategy to be adopted for Doubling of Farmers’ Income by 2022, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare is celebrating nationwide outreach programme Kisan Kalyan Karyashala under Gram Swaraj Abhiyan today in all the blocks across the country.
The Co-Chairman, State Planning Board, Government of Meghalaya and MLA Raksamgre Consituency, Benedic R Marak graced the inaugural function of Kisan Kalyan Karyashalas as Chief Guest held at SMELC Conference Hall, Dakopgre Tura on 2nd May, 2018. The programme was organised by Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA), in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, West Garo Hills, Tura for the farmers of Dalu and Gambegre Community and Rural Development Blocks.
While addressing the gathering Benedic Marak said that the people of the region depend mainly on agriculture for their living and therefore, urged all the farmers to avail various schemes and facilities provided by the government with the objective to synchronise higher gains for the farmers.
Referring to the practises of one-time paddy cultivation in a year by the people, he suggested them to introduce two-time cultivation of paddy in a year in order to boost their income generation and thereby improve the condition of living of the people in the region.
Further, he also advised them to make judicious use of the land available and make farming a lucrative business by adopting integrated farming, scientific measures and use of modern technology with the help and assistance from the concerned department.
Delivering the keynote address, Joint Director, Department of Agriculture, West Garo Hills Tura, L Laloo highlighted on the Seven Point Strategy advocated by the Prime Minister of India for achieving the target of Doubling of Farmers’ Income by 2022. He informed that the strategy includes Special focus on Irrigation with the aim of “Per Drop More Crop”, Provision of Quality Seeds and Nutrients based on soil health of each field, Large Investment in Warehousing and Cold Chains to prevent post-harvest crop losses, Promotion of value addition through Food Processing, Creation of National Farm Market, removing distortions and e-platform across 585 Stations, introduction of New Crop Insurance Scheme to mitigate risks at Affordable cost and Promotion of ancillary activities like poultry, beekeeping and fisheries.
Emphasizing on the need to increase sustainable farming in the area, he encouraged the farmers to adopt integrated farming and also to use locally available seeds in the region so as to regulate organic farming and ensure better productivity.
In the technical session, representatives from the line department comprising of Veterinary, Fishery, Horticulture and Agriculture highlighted on the Central and State level schemes under Agriculture and allied Sectors including Modern Agriculture Practises and Technologies for increasing Farm Production and Farm Income with success stories.
Farmer-Scientist interaction on Modern Agricultural Practices and Technologies for increasing Farm Production and Farm Income was delivered by A S Singh, Senior Scientist and Head, KVK, Tura while video presentation on Modern Agriculture and Technologies were jointly delivered by A S Singh, Senior Scientist and Head, KVK and ATMA, West Garo Hills Tura.
Earlier during the inaugural function, the Chief Guest presented the Certificate and Awards to the Progressive Farmers identified from Dalu and Gambegre Community and Rural Development Blocks under West Garo Hills District.
Agriculture minister reviews organic farming in Meghalaya
Organic farming has been developed in 40,000 hectares of land in the state
Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Radha Mohan Singh visited Lawsohtun organic farm in Shillong Sunday. The four hectare farmland which belongs to Lawsohtun Farmers Association is being maintained by 20 household. The minister interacted with the farmers at the site and appreciated the efforts work of the farmers for practicing organic farming. He also encouraged them to expand their practice of organic farming to more lands. The minister asked the state government officials to extend all possible assistance to farmers in this regard. The minister also assured full support from the Central government towards promoting organic farming in the state.
The Union Minister also reviewed the activities of the Department of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Veterinary and allied sectors with the officials of the departments at Raj Bhawan Saturday evening. The minister reviewed in details the implementation of all the welfare centric schemes of the government under his ministry, in Meghalaya. He instructed all the officials of the department to ensure that the schemes which are meant for the welfare of the farmers are delivered to the last point and within specified time frame.
The minister was categorical when he exhorted all the officials to submit utilisation certificate of funds to the centre on time so that there is no delay in the flow of funds from the Centre.
The minister also asked the officials to invest more resources towards practicing and promoting organic farming in the state. In response to his query on the efforts of the state government in this, the officials of the state informed the minister that the state has developed organic farming in 40,000 hectares of land, covering all the districts and that this practice would complete three years on March 2019. This will enable the state to get the necessary certification for the products of these lands as organic products.
State To Get Rs 51-Cr Central Scheme For Fisheries Devp
By By Our Reporter On Oct 5, 2018
The minister informed that the department had sent a proposal in August for financial assistance
SHILLONG: Fisheries Minister Comingone Ymbon said the state government will put a thrust on local fish production following assistance of over Rs 51 crore from the central government.todevelopHe said the department will construct 1,000 ha of new ponds
There are many components in the scheme,” he said.
However, the minister maintained that import of fishes from other parts of the country will still continue. “We have received a sanction of Rs 51,97,90,000 for construction of new fish ponds.
“We will be launching it by the end of this month. After the implementation of the scheme, we will be able to increase fish production to 7,000 metric tonnes if everything goes smoothly,” he told a section of reporters.
fisheries under the centrally sponsored scheme ‘Blue Revolution: Integrated development and management of Fisheries’ for the year 2018-19.for the private sector. “We can produce fish over 7,000 metric tonnes if we are able to complete the implementation of 1,000 ha of new fish ponds,” he said.
Ymbon also pointed to another component of the scheme that includes construction of permanent farming unit and raceway in the government sector.
“There are not many but the government has only 2 to 3 places to improve the raceway. We will also construct retail fish outlets in the government sector and we have already identified the place in Shillong and Tura,” he said.
As for setting up retail fish outlets in private sector, he said, “We target 50 private local fish producers. The 50 beneficiaries can have their private retail outlets in the state but it all depends on their applications and the committee will study their applications. The scheme will be Rs 10 lakh.
For better transportation of fishes from ponds to retail outlets, Ymbon said the department will also purchase refrigerated trucks.
“The total cost of the project is Rs 94,41,40,000 in which 60per cent is from the state government, 25 per cent is from the banks, 15 per cent is from the beneficiaries,” he said.
He added that the Centre has already released Rs 25.95 lakh as the firstinstalment for this year.
Working towards a new Blue Revolution
Sustainable aquaculture is key to raising seafood output and exports. Species that meet GI norms can be promoted
It is heartening to see that the NDA government in its second term continues to pay special attention to the country’s fisheries sector. This became evident when it constituted an independent Ministry for Fisheries.
Later, it also echoed in the Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman who reiterated the Centre’s commitment to usher in a new Blue Revolution by strengthening the fisheries sector.
A new Blue Revolution is an achievable target. But if the lessons from the first Blue Revolution between 1987 and 1997 are not learnt then the new Blue Revolution can become counterproductive. The Blue Revolution 2.0 will succeed only if its growth revolves around sustainable forms of aquaculture.
India currently ranks second in the world in aquaculture production at 4.7 million tonnes per annum while China is way ahead at a whopping 60 million tonnes per annum. India’s aquaculture sector, however, has the potential to upstage China and, in the process, create greater employment opportunities, increase the volume of exports, strengthen the rural economy and contribute substantially to the country’s GDP. But, to raise its game, India will need fresh strategies or rather a 2030 Master Plan for this important sector.
The key strategy of the 2030 Master Plan should lay special thrust on increasing productivity in inland fisheries along with full utilisation of the country’s deep sea fishing potential. It is true that China has the innate advantage of more than twice the coastal line of India and has larger areas of inland water resources and reservoirs. But, that should not deter India because it has one of the largest Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) areas of over 2 million sq km compared to China’s 0.88 million sq km. The development of EEZ calls for new systems and large-scale deployment of offshore aquaculture activities of high value species. Ocean ranching is one area which will yield rich social dividends, without damaging the ecosystem. India also needs a single uniform national data on marine fisheries because authentic data truly reflect ground realities which in turn help in efficient planning for the future.
Leveraging tech
A few dedicated satellites for the management of fisheries would be an icing on the cake. It is relevant here to note that China has already brought in 5G technology to its offshore aquaculture activities to increase output and promote tourism.
Further, stringent laws and their enforcement ensuring habitat protection should be part of the 2030 Master Plan, as also a quality policy protecting the names of specific species uniquely linked to the country’s geography using geographical indication (GI). India’s approach to inland fisheries too needs a dynamic policy shift to align with the 2030 Master Plan because the sector continues to suffer from under-utilisation and poor yield stemming from traditional fish culture practices. For better utilisation of our coastal, brackish and inland resources, India needs to create broodstock banks for the diversification of cultivable species. It also needs to introduce cost-effective open-pond re-circulatory system and integrated multi-tropic, multi-species farming. Biosecurity, aquamimicry and biofloc are other innovative aquaculture practices which can be put into use to achieve higher yields at reduced cost.
Farm upgradation and automation using AI/IOT, instrumentation, sensors, underwater telemetry and other cyber-physical systems of production are important for the industry.
The country should also look at the cultivation of macro and microalgae since it requires limited space. Growing at 10 times the rate of terrestrial plants, algae matures quickly and results in a comparatively higher yield. Additionally, the nutritional value of algae supports its potential use as a main ingredient in feeds. This will take away the dependence on fish meal for production of animal feeds.
Increased area of cultivation and yield is one thing while product marketing is another. Achieving the former would be of no use if the products are not market-ready. It is here we need to factor in processing and value addition. Currently, India does value addition only to a negligible 10 per cent of the total catch while the rest is sold as a commodity, susceptible to the exploitation of the primary producers by the middlemen.
Role of logistics
Food processing and marketing cannot become complete in the absence of logistics. A robust logistics support requires complementary infrastructural facilities like cold chain and storage facilities to handle peak harvests. Creation of cold chains can help reduce spoilage losses which are currently at 30-35 per cent. Marketing infrastructure and cloud-based market intelligence should also be put in place.
Last but not the least, India should also take the lead in empowering the discernible fish fans across the world by allowing them to trace the back history of the fish it cultivates as to how they were grown, what they were fed with and the methods by which they were caught and processed. It means a quality certification authenticating globally accepted good management practices involving the twin elements of sustainability and traceability both for the marine and inland sectors.
Sustainability being the pivot of 2030 Master Plan, there should also be efforts to integrate aquaculture and agriculture to boost farmers’ income. No master plan can be worth its salt unless it improves the lot of the poor and marginalised.
The goal of producing a sustainable, alternative protein to alleviate food insecurity is within our grasp. Attention to the Sustainable Development Goals, as we move towards this goal, will ensure feeding 8.6 billion people by 2030 while simultaneously achieving the other objectives of the global community. All these, however, need long-term investments in research and development and technology upgradation.
Before India unveils its 2030 Master Plan for Blue Revolution 2.0, it is imperative to sync the thought processes of various stakeholders including the Central ministries and State governments, under the close monitoring of the Prime Minister’s Office .
India exported fish worth ₹45,000 crore in 2017-18 and has the potential to scale up this figure to ₹4,50,000 crore. Also the world’s appetite for fish and fish-related products is growing steadily and the $232-billion industry is expanding at a rate of 6 per cent annually. But, the country needs a definite roadmap, a clutter-free direction, and loads of fresh ideas to navigate its way to reach the goal of the new Blue Revolution.
Budget 2020: Govt proposes to raise fishery exports to Rs 1 lakh crore by FY25
Budget 2020: FM Sitharaman said that government will involve youth in fishery extension through 3477 Sagar Mitras and 500 Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (Fish FPOs)
In the Union Budget 2020, the Modi government has made it clear that it intends to promote marine life. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her Budget speech referred to the blue economy and said, by 2022-23, the government aims to raise fish production to 200 lakh tonnes. It will also focus on growing algae, sea-weed and cage culture. But what caught the attention was her emphasis "our government will involve youth in fishery extension through 3477 Sagar Mitras and 500 Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (Fish FPOs). We hope to raise fishery exports to Rs 1 lakh crore by 2024-25."
The Fish Farmer Producer Organisations is a new development. However, experts in the field feel, much depend, on what is done to make these organisations viable. Reacting to this, Vijayalakshmi Das, CEO, Friends of Women's World Banking (FWWB), India, told Business Today, that it would be important to know how do we intend to make these fish farmer producer organisations viable, especially at a time when the agri-based farmers are in distress.
She says, FWWB, India is working with about 80 well-established FPOs in agriculture. However, she said, "we find that becoming viable is still a challenge that most are facing. We have lent them to meet their working capital needs and help build market linkages and also to help them diversify the income-generating sources. This is crucial so that there is a favourable impact at the level of households of the farmers involved.
Also Read: Budget 2020: Govt reduces spending on MGNREGA, allocates Rs 60,000 crore for FY21
According to Das, the most critical element that needed to be attended for farmer producer organisations was ensuring that the complete value chain from production to market get established and in case of fish, even export market, cold storage and other infrastructure get into. She added that the biggest challenge faced by many of the farmer producer organisations was getting regular working capital from financial institutions.
Move to boost MSME capital base hailed
"The 500 Fish Farmer Producer Organisations is a small number but a good start will take time for them to mature as they first need to be nurtured to become creditworthy," said S Viswanatha Prasad, managing director, Caspian Advisors, an impact investor with investments of over Rs 1200 crore in MFIs (microfinance institutions) and SFBs (Small finance banks) and MSMEs. However, he said, if we look from the perspective of those who are financially excluded that the budget looked at, one measure which does stand out is about the MSME (Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises) sector. Here, he said, an important announcement was that under CGTMSE, the guarantee scheme of the government where they guarantee bank loans to MSME, banks that are giving unsecured loans or subordinated debt or tier II capital can also come under the CGTMSE guarantee.
Freshwater Fish Population Is On The Decline Thanks To Us & Globally They Are Facing Extinction
Bobins AbrahamUpdated on Feb 23, 2021, 16:48 IST
Highlights
A recent study of almost 2,500 rivers around the world showed that human activity has endangered freshwater fish biodiversity in significant ways in more than half of the researched waterwaysAccording to the study, only 14% of the world's rivers and their fish populations remained unaffected, at least to a major degree.80 species of freshwater fish have already been declared ‘Extinct’ by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, including 16 in 2020 alone
Around the world, the population of freshwater fish is on the decline and we humans are to be blamed for it.
A recent study of almost 2,500 rivers around the world showed that human activity has endangered freshwater fish biodiversity in significant ways in more than half of the researched waterways. The study stated that around 23% of freshwater fish species are under the threat of extinction due to these circumstances.
BCCL
The study, titled 'Human impacts on global freshwater fish biodiversity' was published in the journal “Science,”
Grim readings
According to the study, only 14% of the world's rivers and their fish populations remained unaffected, at least to a major degree.
The study revealed that the remaining 86% of the world's rivers have been heavily damaged from fragmentation, the introduction of non-native species and industrialization. Most of the rivers suffered from homogenization, which led to them housing increasingly fewer specialized lineages and similar species, reducing biodiversity.
BCCL
Excessive fishing
The most impactful human activities have been excessive fishing, the interruption of the natural flow of rivers due to dams, inter-basin transfers and water withdrawal, increases in invasive species and climate change.
170 fish species of the total 10,682 examined in the study are thought to have gone extinct. The worst affected areas were large, populous and wealthy regions like western Europe and North America. One particular example included the River Thames in London. The study adds to existing research that humans drive a 70% decline in animal species and caused 60% of the population to be wiped out in 44 years with their activities.
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A separate report, titled World’s Forgotten Fishes published by WWF and 15 global conservation organizations have painted a similar picture.
Freshwater biodiversity declining fast
Freshwater biodiversity is declining at twice the rate of that in our oceans or forests. Indeed, 80 species of freshwater fish have already been declared ‘Extinct’ by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, including 16 in 2020 alone. Meanwhile, populations of migratory freshwater fish have fallen by 76 per cent since 1970 and mega-fish by a catastrophic 94 per cent.
“Nowhere is the world’s nature crisis more acute than in our rivers, lakes and wetlands, and the clearest indicator of the damage we are doing is the rapid decline in freshwater fish populations. They are the aquatic version of the canary in the coalmine, and we must heed the warning,” said Stuart Orr, WWF global Freshwater Lead. “Despite their importance to local communities and indigenous people across the globe, freshwater fish are invariably forgotten and not factored into development decisions about hydropower dams or water use or building on floodplains. Freshwater fish matter to the health of people and the freshwater ecosystems that all people and all life on land depend on. It’s time we remembered that.”
BCCL
The report highlights the devastating combination of threats facing freshwater ecosystems – and the fishes that live in them – including habitat destruction, hydropower dams on free flowing rivers, over abstraction of water for irrigation, and domestic, agricultural and industrial pollution. In addition, freshwater fishes are also at risk from overfishing and destructive fishing practices, the introduction of invasive non-native species and the impacts of climate change as well as unsustainable sand mining and wildlife crime.
BCCL
For example:
The hilsa fishery in the Ganges upstream of Farakka crashed from a yield of 19 tonnes to just 1 tonne per year after the construction of the Farakka barrage in the 1970s
Poaching for illegal caviar is a key reason why sturgeons are one of the world’s most threatened animal families, while Critically Endangered European eels are the most trafficked animal.
Excessively high fishing quotas in Russia's Amur river contributed to a catastrophic fall in the country’s largest salmon run with no chum salmon found in spawning grounds in summer 2019.