Recently the Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan said “Under a new initiative of National Blue Revolution the Government will fill in the critical gaps such as fish seed and feed and introduce new technology like cage culture and re-circulatory aquaculture systems.
This will be ensured by participation of fishermen societies, cooperative bodies, scheduled castes and scheduled tribes and more importantly women, and thereby make the National Blue Revolution an inclusive process, Radha Mohan said.”
Talking to Indian Cooperative Fishcopfed Chairman B K Mishra said “ The GOI has given the right thrust on Blue Revolution. It is the need of the hour. As there is somehow saturation in marine fish production, inland fisheries development is the key to bridge the demand and supply. The critical gaps as mentioned particularly quality seeds and feeds and new technologies have to be adopted. Blue revolution doesn’t mean only sustainable production but also sustainable development of fisher community focusing on livelihood security, social security etc. besides ecological balance.
Mishra further said “Fishery cooperatives have a major role to play in the success of Blue Revolution. Cooperatives have contributed significantly to both Green Revolution and White Revolution. There are about 18000 functional primary fishery cooperatives in the country with 3.1 million members.
FISHCOPFED is covering 4.1 million fishers with its own efforts without any target fixation under the Centrally Sponsored Group Accident Insurance Scheme for active fishermen. We have the potential to cover all active fishermen. This is the most successful welfare scheme of GOI. We must be given a level playing field to implement various other Schemes. “
Cooperatives have their inherent strengths and weaknesses. But the contributions shouldn’t be undermined. If given an opportunity they can do wonders. We have many examples. It is high time to involve FISHCOPFED on such matters based on ground realities, Mishra added.