India has immense opportunities in seafood sector: CM Naidu

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday said India accounts for only five per cent of the global seafood business, observing that the country has immense opportunities in the sector.

Addressing a national workshop on seafood exports in Visakhapatnam, the CM said the growth of Andhra Pradesh’s blue economy would contribute significantly to the country’s development.

The blue economy focuses on the sustainable use of ocean and coastal resources to drive economic growth while protecting marine ecosystems. “India’s share in the global seafood business is only five per cent. The country has tremendous opportunities in this sector,” Naidu said.

According to the CM, Andhra accounts for 28 per cent of India’s fish production and 66 per cent of shrimp production, while contributing 38 per cent of the country’s seafood export earnings. He said Andhra’s seafood exports are valued at about `28,000 crore annually.

Naidu said that if Andhra Pradesh develops further in the sector, India’s seafood exports would also grow, adding that the State’s 1,053-km-long coastline, ports, and airports provide a major advantage.

For the success of products in any sector, the CM said quality, sustainability, traceability, innovation, and zero pollution are essential.

He also urged the Centre to take measures to further develop aquaculture products. Assuring cooperation with the Centre’s initiatives to develop the sector, Naidu said the Union Government had promised to establish mega seafood processing parks in the State.

He said the “Andhra Shrimp–India Seafood” brand should be promoted globally, adding that while India should emerge as a global leader in aquaculture, Andhra Pradesh should position itself as the sector’s growth hub.

Naidu announced that an aquaculture corridor connecting Amaravati, Bhimavaram, Kakinada, Visakhapatnam, Krishnapatnam, and Nellore would be developed.

He said the corridor would integrate research, innovation, start-ups, and technology to boost the aquaculture sector.

The TDP supremo said the blue economy would play a crucial role in achieving the goals of Viksit Bharat.

 Inviting innovators in aquaculture to Andhra Pradesh, Naidu said the state was functioning with the motto of “Speed of Doing Business”.

Thanking Union Fisheries Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh for assuring the modernisation of Kakinada Port, Naidu said the State Government would allocate the required land for the ministry’s regional office within 15 days.

Further, he described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the “right leader at the right time” for the country and said India was poised for greater progress under his leadership in the 21st century.

He said Modi was working towards taking the country to new heights and urged people to continue supporting him as he completed 12 years in office.