INDORE: ​Minister of Water Resources, Fishermen Welfare and Fisheries Development of Madhya Pradesh, Tulsiram Silawat has said that the fisheries sector has an important contribution in the development of self-reliant Madhya Pradesh.

Effective efforts are being made to promote marketing, branding and export of fisheries in the state, he said.

Addressing the “MP Fisheries Workshop 2022” at Indore to promote marketing, branding and exports in the fisheries sector in the state, he said that the State Government is paying special attention for the social and economic upliftment of the fishermen of the State.

“For this, many beneficial schemes and programs are being started and their benefits are being passed on to the fishermen,” he said.

A large number of fish producers, fishermen and fish sellers participated in the workshop, including representatives from 5 countries and eight states.

Member of Parliament Shankar Lalwani, Chairman of Indore Development Authority, Jaipal Singh Chavda, MLA Ramesh Mendola, Joint Secretary, Fisheries Department of Central Government, Sagar Mehra, Principal Secretary of State Government Fisheries Department, Kalpana Shrivastava, National Cooperative Development Corporation’s Vanitha and Director of National Fisheries Development Board Hyderabad Vijay Kumar were also present.

​In the workshop, discussions were held with the aim of promoting fish farming in the state and to give a new identity to the freshwater produced fish at the international level.

Along with this workshop, discussions with international level experts were also held.

New possibilities for marketing, branding and export of freshwater fish produced in the state were also considered.

Representatives from 5 countries — Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, Mauritius and Nepal — also participated in this workshop.

The representatives of these countries signed the MoI (Memorandum of Interest) with the state government.

Under this, the representatives of these countries have shown enthusiasm to promote fish farming in the state and to improve its production and quality.

All these countries will provide technical support in the state and help in providing international market for marketing.

​Minister of Water Resources, Fishermen Welfare and Fisheries Development, Tulsiram Silawat said in the workshop that many innovations have been started by the Fisheries Department in the state.

These innovations being done by the state government will provide new employment opportunities to the youth of the fishermen society.

New efforts are being made continuously in the field of making the state self-reliant.

The fishermen welfare department is also not behind in this. We will be acquainted with international level experience from this workshop.

Addressing the program, Shri Shankar Lalwani said that various schemes have been started by the Central Government to promote fisheries and for the overall welfare of fishermen.

As a result of these schemes, fish production is increasing rapidly. Fishermen have also got social and economic security.

Speaking on the occasion, Joint Secretary, Fisheries Department, Central Government, Sagar Mehra gave detailed information about the schemes launched by the Central Government.

He informed that Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana has been started by the Central Government. It is being implemented better.

In Madhya Pradesh, fishermen are getting better benefits of this scheme. He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, special efforts are being made to promote fisheries.

There has been a rapid increase in the growth of fisheries after the year 2014. The growth rate has been recorded at seven percent till 2021-22 and ten percent in the year 2022.

He said that there is immense potential for employment and economic growth in the field of fisheries.

Principal Secretary Fisheries, Kalpana Srivastava informed that representatives of five countries including Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, Mauritius and Nepal also participated in this workshop.