The Aryavarth Express
Agency (Bengaluru): Recognizing the immense potential of India’s fisheries sector and the need to support the livelihoods of fishermen families, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has outlined a series of initiatives under its “Modi ki Guarantee for Fishermen Families” as part of its election manifesto.
The party pledges to further extend the PM Matsya Sampada Yojana, a flagship scheme launched to promote sustainable and responsible development of the fisheries sector. This extension aims to boost fish production and increase India’s annual seafood exports, creating new opportunities for fishermen and allied workers.
To protect fishermen from the risks associated with their profession, the BJP promises to strengthen and expand the insurance coverage available under the PM Matsya Sampada Yojana. The focus will be on leveraging technology for speedy and accurate damage assessment, faster claim settlement, and efficient grievance redressal.
Recognizing the importance of value addition, the manifesto proposes developing production and processing clusters with a special focus on women from coastal communities. These clusters will enable fishermen to enhance the quality and shelf life of their catch, fetch better prices, and tap into new markets.
Diversification of income sources is another key focus area, with the BJP pledging to promote seaweed cultivation and pearl farming under the PM Matsya Sampada Yojana. These emerging sectors offer significant potential for creating sustainable livelihoods and boosting the incomes of fishermen families.
To enhance the productivity and sustainability of the fisheries sector, the party aims to establish a network of Nucleus Breeding Centres and Brood Banks. These facilities will play a crucial role in supplying high-quality fish seed and promoting the adoption of best practices in fish farming.
Harnessing the power of technology is another key promise, with the BJP proposing to launch a special program utilizing satellite imagery for providing integrated services to the fishermen community. This initiative aims to enhance the safety and security of fishermen at sea by providing real-time information on weather conditions, fish shoals, and potential fishing zones.
The manifesto also pledges to promote the use of advanced technologies like IoT, AI, and drones for various applications in the fisheries sector, including farm biosecurity, disease management, feed optimization, and growth monitoring.