Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, Rajiv Ranjan Singh, emphasized the need for a time-bound strategy to elevate Gujarat as a prominent hub for inland fisheries. At the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference in Vadodara, Singh highlighted the state’s abundant natural resources that could boost the “Blue Economy.” Despite having a vast coastline, Gujarat holds untapped potential, especially in utilizing village ponds for expanding inland fisheries and enhancing economic activities related to the Blue Economy.
Singh pointed out that Gujarat, with significant saline water resources, plays a crucial role in shrimp production and associated industries. However, he noted that only two percent of India’s fisheries exports from Gujarat come from inland fisheries, indicating substantial room for growth. To harness this potential, Singh recommended the adoption of advanced technologies like Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things (IoT), alongside improvements in hatchery systems, cold chain infrastructure, and transportation networks.
The minister urged collaboration among the Gujarat government, scientists, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders to develop a comprehensive action plan. This collective effort aims to position Gujarat as a global hub for inland fisheries, aligning with both the state’s economic progress and the national vision of “Viksit Bharat.” The conference concluded with a significant number of investment proposals and memoranda of understanding valued at over Rs 3.34 lakh crore, with expectations to create more than 1.97 lakh job opportunities.
