Write a short note on blue …

The Blue Revolution is an initiative taken by the government for the growth of the aquaculture industry. It started in China as it accounts for around two-thirds of the total aquaculture production worldwide.

Recently, the aquaculture industry has been growing at an average rate of 9% a year and India is one of the fastest growers. The Neel Kranti Mission was the start of the Blue Revolution in India with the vision to achieve the economic prosperity of India keeping in view the sustainability, bio-security, and environmental concerns.

The objectives of the mission also known as the Blue Revolution are mentioned below:

1. Completely tapping the total fish potential of India on both islands as well as in the marine sector and to triple the production by the year 2020.
2. Transforming the fisheries sector into a modern industry through the utilization of new technologies and processes.
3. Doubling the income of the fishers through increased productivity and improving the post-harvest marketing infrastructure including e-commerce, technologies, and global best innovators.
4. To ensure the active participation of the fishers and the fish farmers in income enhancement.
5. Tripling the export earnings by the year 2020 with a major focus on the benefits covering the institutional mechanisms.
6. Developing the nutritional and food security of the nation.

he Blue Revolution in India was launched during the 7th Five Year Plan (1985-1990) during the sponsorship of the Fish Farmers Development Agency (FFDA) by the Central Government of India. Later, during the 8th Five Year Plan (1992-97), the Intensive Marine Fisheries Program was launched, and eventually, the fishing harbours in Vishakhapatnam, Kochi, Tuticorin, Porbandar, and Port Blair were also established over the time.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare along with the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries planned to restructure this scheme along with the other ongoing schemes by merging it under a single umbrella of ‘Blue Revolution’. This scheme focused on the development and management of fisheries controlled by the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB).

The components that are included under the Blue Revolution Schemes are :

• National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) and its activities
• Strengthening of Database & Geographical Information System of the Fisheries Sector
• Development of Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture
• National Scheme of Welfare of Fishermen
• Development of Marine Fisheries, Infrastructure and Post-Harvest Operations
• Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) and other need-based Interventions
• Institutional Arrangement for the Fisheries Sector