Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister Pradeep Maharathy lauded the fishery officials for achieving success in fish production sector in the State.
Inaugurating the 6th general session of Odisha Fisheries Service Association here, Maharathy said that contribution of fishery officials for taking the fishery export to worth Rs 2,000 crore is commendable.
Secretary Fisheries Bishnupada Sethi, who graced the occasion, said that many schemes have been successful due to efforts of fishery officials for social security and safety of fishermen families.
Sethi said that this has been possible by sending information through mobile phone to 5 lakh fishermen. The fishery officials should aim at taking the fisheries export to worth Rs 10,000 crore, he said.
The Minister said that the officials are working with dedication to make fish production a success in the State. The association members have taken steps for fish production, production of quality fish seedling, prawn production by changing their technical knowledge to achieve success in expansion service sector, the Minister said.
The Odisha Fisheries Service Association comprises Group A and B fisheries officials along with all the assistant fisheries officials, additional fisheries officials, district fisheries officials, fisheries deputy director, fisheries joint director, fisheries additional director as its members.
Making the State first in the country, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had announced Odisha Fisheries Policy, which is aimed at achieving success in food security, livelihood of fishermen, social security and creation of new jobs along with fisheries expansion.
The Fisheries Policy has been prepared with an aim to provide livelihood to fishermen and making fish production double by the year 2020 in the State. It also aims at increasing fish production, creating new opportunity for fisheries product export and investment in fish production.
The Government has encouraged for infrastructure development and private firms’ partnership in seafood production sector. The jobs will be created by creation of new water area, cluster and industrialisation through the programmes introduced in the State.
The Government land will be given on lease for salt water farming and fish production will be increased by stocking the standard seedlings in reservoirs. The fisheries officials will play significant role in achieving the target under the policy, the Minister said. It should be the prime duty of the fisheries officials for working towards welfare of fishermen, said Fisheries Director P Krishna Mohan.