The Indian aquaculture industry to aid in creating Atmanirbhar Bharat and facilitate rehabilitation for reverse migrants

Bhopal: Aquaculture in India is an important economic activity and a flourishing sector with varied resources and potentials. It is important for those involved with the sector to remain constantly abreast of the newest global advancements. Keeping this thought in mind, several industry experts from India and across the world gathered at a virtual Conclave to discuss various topics pertaining to the industry.

The Conclave witnessed a host of distinguished speakers from the industry – Mr Amit Saraogi, Managing Director, Anmol Feeds, Mr Tim O’Keefe, President, Aqua-Food Technologies Inc., Dr. Andy Shinn, Senior Scientist, Benchmark R&D (Thailand), Mr Umakanth R, Aquaculture Consultant, Asia Subcontinent, USSEC, Dr. P.E. Vijay Anand, Senior Lead, Emerging Market Development, USSEC, Dr. Y. Basavaraju, Former Dean, College of Fisheries, Mangalore, Mr. Ramachandra Raju, President, Society for Indian Fisheries and Aquaculture (SIFA), Mr Anton Immik, CEO, ThinkAqua, Dr. Mohd. Golam Quader Khan, Professor, Dept. of Fisheries Biology and Genetics, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mr. Raynalfie Budhy, Rahardjo, Business Development Manager, JALA, Indonesia and Mr. Tarun Shridhar, Former Secretary, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India.

Addressing the audience of the conclave, Mr Amit Saraogi, Managing Director, Anmol Feeds, stated, “Fisheries alone has employed 145 million people and contributed to 1.07% of the GDP and generated export earnings of Rs 334.41 billion as per a recent estimate of National Fisheries Development Board. Aquaculture over recent years has not only led to substantial socio-economic benefits such as increased nutritional levels, income, employment and foreign exchange, but has also brought vast un-utilized and under-utilized land and water resources under culture.

The measures announced under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojna for Fisheries and Shrimp sector to boost export and rural employment are encouraging. These measures will boost rural entrepreneurship, enable wealth creation to boost the economy to make India self-reliant as envisioned by our Hon’ble Prime Minister.

Aquaculture can become a huge source of generating employment and livelihood as investment in this sector is less compared to the benefits it can give. It can increase protein availability, create generation of rural employment and help achieve the food security goals.

Especially with all the reverse migration happening across the country, aquaculture, fisheries and shrimp culture can help in rehabilitation of these migrants and help create a livelihood for them.”

He further added, “We have a considerable amount of business in our neighbouring countries of Nepal and Bhutan. However, we are unable to reap the benefits of the Export Promotion Capital Goods Scheme as the earning is in Indian currency. I would like to take this platform to request the authorities to kindly look into this unconscious anomaly and help us to boost the economy of the country.”

During the course of the session, keynote speaker Dr. Andy Shinn, Senior Scientist, Benchmark R&D (Thailand) said, “There are perils of ignorance in aquaculture. Timing of treatments must be carefully implemented. In each farm situation the problems may vary. Juveniles and adults must be monitored and treated separately. Disinfecting all farm equipment thoroughly before treating is important.

Seeking proper vet advice is essential without misplaced good intention by middle men. Prepare emergency plans to maintain bio security. Procrastination and recklessness should be avoided in aquaculture.”

The virtual conclave focused on three main verticals- Health and Biosecurity to Ensure Safe Production, Culture System Improvisation and Advanced Nutrition for Optimum Growth and Better Production.

The keynote speakers shared their vast experience on Aquatic Health & Nutrition while the panel discussion dwelled on how various countries and organizations have put the pandemic behind them and are charting the road ahead.

This industry has the capacity to accommodate the migrant labour population and can feed many of the economically challenged. It has the potential to help rebuild the nation’s economy and support the economic transformation of rural India.