Indian fish production to cross 13MT by 2016 – report

With robust investments in infrastructure, Indian fish production will cross 13 million tonnes (MT) by 2016 from the current level of over nine million tonnes, the industry body Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) said.

According to an Assocham study titled Fisheries – A Prize Catch in Indian Export Basket, fish production in India can grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of about seven per cent during the course of the next four-to-five years, up from the current level of over 3.5 per cent CAGR.

The report was jointly released by R Sannareddy, chairman of Assocham Southern Regional Council along with national secretary general, DS Rawat.

"Indian marine waters are home to over 1,700 fish species including 200 commercially significant species, while the sector employs over 15 million people and fish eaters account for over half of India's total population," Sannareddy said.

While speaking on the fisheries market, Rawat said, "India is the second largest source of aquaculture production in the world after China. Inland fisheries, reservoirs and freshwater aquaculture are the pillars of growth, besides, floodplain lakes and wetlands, irrigation canals, saline and waterlogged areas too contribute towards rising production."

India's total fisheries exports are about USD3.0 billion and are expected to reach about USD4.7 billion by 2014, which contributes up to ten per cent of the total fish production in India.

As per the study, Karnataka was the leader in fish production with 1.5 million tonnes of fish production during the period spanning 2004-2010, an increase of 11.48% CAGR. This was followed by Andhra Pradesh, which recorded eight per cent growth and 1.35 million tonnes. West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Odisha too recorded a growth of three-to-five per cent respectively from 2004-2010.

The global fish trade is estimated at USD138 billion with China, Norway and Thailand occupying the top three slots and by the end of this year, the global fish production is likely to reach 157.3MT, comprising 90MT of capture fisheries and the balance by aquaculture. Approximately 85 per cent of total fish production is used as food, with the balance utilised in feed and other purposes, the study adds.

Highlighting that globally India's share in fisheries production is about five per cent and marine/inland fishery exports account for a meagre two per cent of global trade, Assocham suggested formation of a dedicated Ministry of Fisheries to deal with the major stumbling blocks in fisheries sector – multiple agencies, sluggish infrastructure and poor productivity resulting in "poverty and backwardness."

The body also called for a "single window system for fisheries and aquaculture in inland fisheries to work towards proper networking and consolidation to strengthen support to the sector", thereby "keeping a close look at the working of various agencies involved in inland and fisheries".

Assocham also recommended the establishing of public private partnerships (PPP), as well as encouraging financial institutions to extend credit facilities for expansion and modernisation of fisheries' processing facilities. These would be facilitated through India's Ministry of Food Processing Industry (MOFPI) for the "speedy achievement of growth targets".

J Kanojia

Image Source: Huw Thomas