Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh has said the Centre is working on a new policy on aquaculture.
“We are planning to come out with a policy for aquaculture growth in the country, considering its vast potential,” he said after inaugurating the 33rd session of the Asia Pacific Fishery Commission of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations here on Monday.
The meeting was attended by 21 member countries of the Asia Pacific region. The meeting assumes significance as India is the world’s second largest fish producer and hosts the second largest aquaculture hub.
The Minister said ornamental fish was another important area in the fisheries sector, as this sector could contribute significantly to rural livelihood. The eastern and north-eastern States and the Western Ghats support rich biodiversity of ornamental fish.
Fish production in India has grown from 0.75 million tonnes in 1950-51 to 9.58 million tonnes last fiscal, registering a 4-5 per cent growth in the last seven years. Last fiscal, India produced 3.44 million tonnes from marine and 6.14 million tonnes from inland resources.
Later, Singh met the Chief Ministers of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, reviewing the prospects of agriculture and blue revolution in the two States.
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