BHUBANESWAR: Seafood Exporters’ Association of India (Odisha region) hailed the State Government for formulating brackish water land leasing policy in a bid to increase production of export varieties of seafood.
As Odisha aims a five-fold growth in seafood exports to touch `20,000 crore in next five years from `2,000 crore now, the Government has decided to lease out nearly 24,000 hectares of brackish water areas and develop required infrastructure.
At an event organised here on Wednesday, the association members, however, demanded the Government to initiate steps for leasing out the potential areas to achieve the export target.
Appreciating efforts of former secretary of Fisheries and Animal Resources Development (FARD) Department Bishnupada Sethi for bringing out a brand new fisheries policy, State unit president of the association Ajay Dash said, Odisha will be a pioneer in aquaculture development and fisheries sector if the policy is implemented properly.
Speaking on the occasion, president of Odisha Fish Producers’ Association Kameswar Narayan Praharaj said diesel is consumed more by the trawlers in the State than neighbouring states. But, the Government is yet to provide subsidy on the fuel which is enjoyed by States like Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, he said.
On the occasion, Seafood Exporters’ Association felicitated Sethi for his contribution in promoting fisheries and seafood sector. He is now posted as Secretary of Rural Development Department. Secretary of FARD Vishal Gagan and Director, Fisheries, Bijay Ketan Upadhyay were also felicitated.
Sethi advised association members for the gesture and asked them to go for technological upgradation to reduce cost of production and compete the international market.
Gagan stressed on participation of more private players in seafood sector and said Government-private participation would help bring a sea change in the sector.
Among others, national vice-president of the association Tara Ranjan Pattanaik and Kamalesh Mishra also spoke.