HYDERABAD: The fisheries and aquaculture sector, which is currently growing at a uniform rate of 5-6 percent, is likely to expand at a higher rate, according to V Ramachandra Raju, president, Society for Indian Fisheries and Aquaculture.
“India is next to China in fish and aquaculture production. Fish production stood at 10.79 mt during 2016-17 continuing to grow at the rate of 5-6 percent. The annual export of fish and aquaculture products from India has crossed `30,000 crore. The sector has scope for further growth as there is huge potential to increase domestic consumption as well as exports,” said Raju, after announcing the details about AquaEx India 2018, an international expo of fisheries and aquaculture.
AquaEx will be held in March 2018 in Hyderabad. Stakeholders from aquaculture sector from across the world will participate in it. “Although the Indian fisheries and aquaculture is growing steadily over the years, industry needs support in terms of new technologies, new species, quality inputs, efficient equipment and machinery, quality manpower and efficient marketing to further increase the fish production and productivity.
Through AquaEx, we want to introduce global developments in these sectors to Indian aquaculture sector stakeholders and present about the opportunities available in India to foreign aquaculture players. It will be a global platform for Indian fisheries and aquaculture sector,” he added. According to industry insiders, fish production increased from 0.75 mt in 1950-51 to 10.79 mt during 2016-17 and India exports seafood to 101 countries.”