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Fisheries Extension Services
Context:
Fisheries extension services play a vital role in bridging the gap between scientific advancements and practical fish farming practices.
India’s Fisheries Sector:
- India has diverse fisheries resources, providing livelihoods to around three crore fishers and fish farmers.
- National fish production has increased by 83% since 2013-14, reaching a record 175 lakh tons in 2022-23.
- 75% of the production comes from inland fisheries, making India the second-largest fish and aquaculture producer globally.
Need for Strengthened Fisheries Extension Services:
- Experts emphasise the importance of strengthening last-mile fisheries and aquaculture extension services, which should:
- Provide request-based services to fishers on species, water quality, disease management, and rearing technologies.
- Address issues faced by seed growers and hatcheries.
- Promote sustainable practices through need-based training, and support fisheries-based business models.
Knowledge Transfer and Capacity Building:
- Fisheries extension services provide fish farmers with guidance on various aspects of fish farming, including species lifecycle management, water quality, disease control, and rearing technologies.
- By offering training and support, these services help fish farmers adopt sustainable practices and improve their productivity.
Enhancing Last-Mile Connectivity:
- Matsya Seva Kendras (MSKs): MSKs, under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, are one-stop centres providing extension services to fishers and fish farmers.
- These centres, supported by up to 60% government assistance for women and weaker sections, help with services like water/soil analysis, disease testing, capacity building, and technology infusion.
- MSKs are operational in several regions, such as in Kerala (Thrissur), which provides disease testing, and in Maharashtra (Nasik and Sangli), which focuses on capacity building for fishers.
- “Sagar Mitras” are deployed in coastal states and Union Territories as intermediaries between the government and sea-borne fishers.
- They provide fishers with crucial information on daily marine catches, price fluctuations, regulations, weather forecasts, fishing zones, and best practices in hygienic fish handling.
Improving Fisheries Extension Services:
- Institutional Convergence: There is a need to integrate MSKs with over 700 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (field extension centres) and state extension services to strengthen advisory services.
- Digital Outreach: The government has initiated a virtual learning platform, AquaBazaar, which provides practical demonstrations and expert advice on fish breeding and seed production.
