Endowed with an inventive genius with the implicit backdrop of a technical education of excellence, Bishnupada Sethi, an administrator with a difference, has left no stones unturned to streamline and tone up every linkage of the departments which he is spearheading at present in the State Government. Having had his bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering from the REC Rourkela with a first class, he had completed his MTech degree from the National Institute of Industrial Engineering, Mumbai in1990. Subsequently, he was called upon to join the IAS Odisha cadre in 1995. He was district Collector in Rayagada and Nuapada. As morning shows the day, this young incumbent was then hailed in high esteem by his authorities for his ‘total commitment to probity in government service’ and for his ‘zero-plevel of tolerance for corruption’. He has successfully climbed the hierarchical ladder and is presently the Principal Secretary-cum-Commissioner of the Fisheries and ARD Department. He has published many papers in journals of repute and authored many books. His book ‘Rayagada’ in Odia contains the rich cultural heritage of the district and the beauty of the life of tribal people in their primeval grandeur. His poetry publications in English include ‘Where shall I go!’ (2006), ‘My World of Words’ (2010), ‘Beyond Feelings’ (2012). Awards and accolades came cascading down over his head in many walks and positions of his career. He made Odisha proud when the Odisha Pisciculture Development Corporation bagged the International Star Award for leadership in Quality in Paris in 2015.
In an interview to The Pioneer, this mandarin, who is committed to harnessing the untapped potential of aquaculture, contributing to food and nutritional security aiming to bridge the gap between demand and supply of fish for domestic consumption while expanding export markets for high value products; spoke to Sugyan Choudhury.
There has been a considerable increase in fish production in our State. Can we expect to overcome our overdependence on Andhra market in days aheadIJ
The fish production during 2015-16 in the State was 5.21 lakh MT. This is an increase by 11% over the last year. During 2014-15, the growth rate in fish production was 13.5%. Since Odisha has vast resources, it is possible to augment fish production in a big way. Odisha is the first State in the country to have adopted a comprehensive Fishery Policy in 2015. The Hon’ble Chief Minister has given a target to enhance export from current level of Rs 2,000 crore to Rs 20,000 crore in five years. Keeping in view the nutritional requirement of the population with the increasing income level, doubling of fish production by 2020 has been envisaged. The Union Secretary has asked us to prepare big plans for possible funding through Central assistance schemes during 2017-18. Odisha sends 1.27 lakh MT of marine and brackish water fish outside the State and procures about 0.46 lakh MT of freshwater fish from neighbouring States to meet the demand. Overall, we are a surplus State.
What are the ways to augment fish production by double by 2020IJ
We are aiming for horizontal and vertical expansion in the fishing sector. The freshwater area under culture was 35,435 ha during 2000-01 and increased to 69,670 ha by end of 2015-16. As per our Fishery Policy, 3,000 ha of new area will be brought under inland fish production every year. We are implementing a scheme in the name of Blue Revolution where a subsidy assistance of Rs 4.25 lakh is being provided to the fish farmer per ha with a maximum of 2 ha per farmer. A large number of entrepreneurs encouraged by higher profitability and sustained market demand are coming forward for investing in the sector. We are engaging a consultant having international experience to prepare plans and programmes for increasing the export of seafood to R 20,000 crore. This will generate a lot of employment. The State Government will undertake a massive programme for skill development to meet the requirement of Rs 20,000-crore seafood industry. As per the Fishery Policy, 20% of the reservoirs in the State will be given to entrepreneurs for commercial exploitation on a long-term lease basis. We will be promoting cage culture in the reservoirs. We have listed 1,520 progressive fish farmers whose skill and entrepreneurship will be utilised in activities like fish seed production, fish production, etc. We have issued instructions to ensure that leasing of pond for pisciculture takes place for a minimum period of five years. During the last ‘Make in Odisha Conclave’, we have got investment proposals of about Rs 2,000 crore in the fishery sector for hatchery, brood multiplication centre, feed mill, etc. The Government has asked to lease out 24,000 ha of coastal land which has been found suitable for shrimp culture. Similarly, we have identified 10,000 ha in Khordha district which will be leased out to entrepreneurs on pisciculture. The Government is planning to set up a Fish University for holistic development of the sector by focusing on skill and entrepreneurship development and for guiding fish farmers like in countries like Vietnam, Thailand and other emerging large-scale fish producing and exporting nations.
The Marine Product Export Development Authority has observed that marine fish production is on the decline. What is your responseIJ
Marine fish production during 2015-16 was 1.45 lakh MT in comparison to 1.33 lakh MT during the previous year with a growth rate of8%. The maximum sustainable yield for Odisha in the marine sector is 1.6 lakh MT. We are enforcing a uniform fishing ban for a period of two months for conservation of fishery resources. Besides, fishing is prohibited during the period of 1st November to 31st May for a stretch of 120 km. for Olive Ridley turtle conservation. Previously, we had placed Artificial Reefunder sea in three places with involvement of the National Institute of Ocean Technology, Chennai. After evaluation, we can take up similar measures for resource augmentation. We will think of sea ranching, if necessary, to augment marine resources.
What is the present status of prawn production in our StateIJ
The shrimp produced in the State during 2015-16 is 40,307 MT. This is in comparison of 13,442 MT produced during 2000-01. After leasing out 24,000 ha of coastal land for brackish water fish farming and switching over to l Vannamei, it is expected that the production will reach 3.00 lakh MT in five years.
Why deep sea trawlers are not used for marine catch in our State unlike AndhraIJ
We have 1,755 trawlers in the State. Soon, we will introduce a scheme to subsidise the entrepreneurs on deep sea fishing vessels. Admittedly, because deep sea fishing is not carried out on the coast by fishermen from Odisha, a sizable quantity of fish catch is lost. We have come across cases where deep sea vessels from other States and countries are catching fish on Odisha waters.
What are the plans on your agenda for improvising integrated and composite piscicultureIJ
Through the Agriculture Policy, a number of units have been grounded for integrated farming which include fishery, animal husbandry, poultry, duckery. We have sanctioned a project under the RKVY to take up rice-fish culture in the waterlogged areas.
What are your further plans for development of the Omfed and arresting the distress sale by milk producers, if anyIJ
The Government has given a target for procurement of 10 lakh litre of milk and marketing of 12 lakh litre per day by the Omfed. The Omfed has been assisted through various schemes; and now, a 5-lakh litre automated dairy plant is being set up with 100% Government assistance. The artificial insemination programme produces about 3 lakh female cows every year. This programme is being expanded. The output of milk in the State was 19,38,000 MT during 2015-16. The Omfed procures nearly 10% of milk produced in the State. There are private players in the organised milk marketing sector who are having a share of about 40%-45%, and their size is increasing. If more milk comes to the organised sector, our farmers will get higher benefit.