The Indian fisheries occupied third position in global scenario in terms of production of fish which is 4.4% of global fish production. The contribution of fisheries sector is 1.10% to the total GDP and 5.3% to the agricultural GDP. Fishery sector has emerged as the largest group in agricultural export of India with quantity of 5.20 lakh tonnes and value of Rs.8363 crore respectively. The sector employs 14.0 million of the population.
The meeting of the Fish Processing Development Council was held under the chairmanship of Shri Ashok Sinha, Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries. Shri Sinha pointed that there exists a huge gap between the total fish production in the country and its processing for domestic consumption and export. Post harvest, pre-processing, processing and marketing sectors are very much export oriented and domestic market in the processing of sea food is awaiting a major thrust, he said.
During the course of the meeting, it was felt that there is a need to strengthen the exiting Council for making it more effective to give a much needed boost to the fish processing sector. It was also observed that there is a need to create awareness regarding medicinal and nutritional value of the fish food and also to popularize the use of fish products, sea food, hygienic landing and quality control. It was also observed that there is need for a strong research and development on technologies for fish processing and creating a “India Brand” for processed fish products.
Keeping in view the above facts and the vast potential for fish processing to cater to the domestic market and supplement the export of processing sea foods, the members approved the proposal to convert the existing Council into National Fish Processing Development Board.