Kochi: India has secured the second position globally in fishery production, following closely behind China, with an impressive 10,041 hectares dedicated to fish farming, solidifying its significant role in the global fishery sector.
J K Jena, Deputy Director General (Fisheries) at ICAR, emphasized the need to harness scientific and technological advancements to further enhance production and quality in the sector. He shared these insights during the inaugural session of the first International Fisheries Congress and Expo held at Kufos.
Addressing the gathering, V K Ramachandran, Vice Chairman of the State Planning Board, highlighted that Kerala boasts nearly 10 lakh marine fishermen. Emphasizing the imperative for quality improvement and increased revenue generation in the fisheries sector, he called for heightened investments.
However, financial constraints in the state have hindered the free flow of funds to the sector. Ramachandran urged scientists to explore innovative approaches, such as crowd funding for fishery research, drawing inspiration from successful models like that of Japan.