KENDRAPARA: While most of the business sectors across the country have been reeling under the demonetisation aftermath, seafood exporters of the State remain unaffected by the Centre Government’s digital transaction move. Since demonetisation, seafood exporters have been paying the shrimp farm owners and fish traders through bank cheque, drafts and digital payments.
A large number of fish and prawn traders are also readily accepting the cashless method as it has reduced the chances of theft.
Prior to demonetisation, the transaction was made through cash. Many a time, miscreants used to snatch away the cash.
“As the transaction is now made through digital mode, the cash remains safe in our bank accounts. Besides, we would not face any problem from the income tax authorities in future as all the transactions are now recorded,” said Rudra Prasan Hota, general secretary of the Seafood Exporters Association of India, Odisha region.
At least 80 percent of exported seafood from Odisha are shrimps.
“Our target is to export 25,000 metric tonnes of seafood from the State at the cost of Rs 2,000 crore in 2016-17. Demonetisation has not stopped us from exporting seafood,” added Hota.
Odisha has been a pioneering State for putting in place a progressive Fishery Policy in 2015 covering the entire gamut of fisheries-harvest, post-harvest, infrastructure, market support and socio-economic issues of the fishing community. Despite global slowdown, the seafood exports from Odisha had crossed 19,500 crores during 2014-15.
The State currently contributes to about five percent of the fish production in the country and about 17 percent of the value of seafood export, said Pratap Ranjan Rout, Joint Director (coastal) Fisheries Department.