Why is strengthening fisheries extension services crucial? | Explained Premium

India's booming fisheries sector sees record production, with focus on extension services and digital outreach for sustainable growth.

The story so far:

India possesses diverse fisheries resources that provide livelihood opportunities to approximately three crore fishers and fish farmers. The country has witnessed an 83% increase in the national fish production since 2013-14, that stands at a record 175 lakh tons in 2022-23. With 75% of this coming from inland fisheries, India is the second-largest fish and aquaculture producer globally. In this backdrop, strengthening last-mile fisheries and aquaculture extension services is of paramount importance. Experts contend that such extension should provide request-based services to fishers/fish farmers on the life cycle of improved species cultured, water quality, disease, and available rearing technologies; address issues faced by seed growers and hatcheries; and conduct need-based training to promote sustainable practices and fisheries-based activities that have the potential to be viable business models.

Under the flagship Pradhan Mantri Matsya Samapada Yojana, ‘Matsya Seva Kendras’ (MSK) has been envisioned as one-stop solution to provide a range of extension services by trained aquaculture professionals. The governmental assistance to set up such Kendras for women and weaker sections is available to the extent of 60%. Funds have been provided to State governments and Union Territories for operationalising 102 such Kendras. For example, the MSK in Thrissur, Kerala has a well-equipped lab for water, soil, and microbial analysis to conduct request-based disease tests, while the MSK in Nasik and Sangli districts in Maharashtra focuses on capacity building for fishers/fish farmers on varied seed/feed inputs backed with the required technology infusion.

Fostering a ‘whole of government approach,’ the Government of India advises MSKs to mobilise start-ups, cooperatives, fish farmers’ producer organisations, joint liability groups, and self-help groups to share best practices. The latter includes regenerative and conservation management practises for both inland and marine fisheries in view of the effects of climate change.

Another innovative extension initiative by the government is the deployment of “Sagar Mitras” in coastal States and U.T.s as a vital interface between the government and sea-borne fishers. They compile information and data on daily marine catch, price fluctuations, and requisite marketing needs at fish landing centres/harbours. They disseminate information to fishers on local regulations, weather forecasts, natural calamities, hygienic fish handling, and potential fishing zones in the seas.

To make the extension and advisory services in fisheries and aquaculture more robust the need of the hour is twofold. First, the above initiatives should be institutionally converged with the already networked field extension machinery of over 700 Indian Council of Agricultural Research-driven Krishi Vigyan Kendras and the State governments and U.T.s extension services. Second, promoting digital outreach. The National Fisheries Development Board has initiated a nationwide virtual learning platform, ‘AquaBazaar,’ that enables experts to clarify basic concepts and provide practical demonstrations to fishers on breeding/seed production of commercially important fish.

In this context, the World Bank-assisted Government of India project to formalise the fisheries and aquaculture sector is a boon indeed. It aims to create work-based digital identities for all fishers and fish farmers in the country, thereby strengthening their extension, capacity building, and awareness generation needs.