The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Stress on domestic trade in fisheries sector

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Feb 19, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Stress on domestic trade in fisheries sector

Staff Reporter

Molecular biology laboratory inaugurated

Local needs should be met in metro cities and urban agglomerations
Stress on marketing and research in 11th Plan

— Photo: S. Rambabu

Dr. S. Ayyappan, Deputy Director-General of ICAR, giving the keynote address at a workshop at Nannaya University on Monday.

Kakinada: The demand for jellyfish and octopus from the overseas markets, particularly China, Singapore and Hong Kong, has grown in recent years. India is trying to meet this requirement subject to certain restrictions. Besides, the Indian fishing industry is rapidly diversifying into production of species other than shrimp which constitutes the bulk of exports from India, said S Ayyappan, Deputy Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (Fisheries Division).

Speaking to reporters after inaugurating a molecular biology laboratory at the Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE) here on Monday, Mr. Ayyappan sought focus to be laid on domestic trade which is increasing at a fast pace instead of spending all the energies on exports.

Though the foreign exchange earnings generated by the fisheries sector are significant for Indian economy, due importance has to be given to meet the local needs in the metro cities and other urban agglomerations.

Mr. Ayyappan observed that the rate of growth of agriculture, of which fisheries is a part, has been dismal while every other sector of the economy has been progressing at a brisk pace.

The focus is currently on the areas of fish capture, culture, processing and marketing with the help of modern tools of research and development to achieve the targets in the 11th Plan.

India had successfully overcome the problem caused by the presence of antibiotic residues in the marine species exported to the US, Japan and European Union countries. Continuous efforts are being made to comply with the quality specifications.

CIFE Director Dilip Kumar said CIFE was conducting training programmes for the fishermen to equip them with the knowledge not just how to catch fish but other aspects related to its processing and marketing.

The Bihar Government had sent 1,000 farmers for training at the CIFE’s Kakinada centre. A fresh batch of 400 farmers would be soon joining them.

Dr. K Janaki Ram of Central Institute of Fresh Water Aquaculture, Bhubaneswar and CIFE, Kakinada Scientist In-Charge G Venugopal participated.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh