Experts from ICAR, KVK and other renowned organization feel that Tripura’s economy can have a spectacular boost if the potential in the has fishery sector is properly and optimally utilised- involving and engaging
new entrepreneurs. The experts views have been echoed on the World Fisheries Day which is celebrated across the world on November 21 with an aim to highlight the importance of sustainable stocks of fisheries in the world and other related factors such as the necessity of healthy oceans, balance in ecosystem and surroundings.
According to the experts, in Tripura about 42 per cent of population now directly depends on agriculture & allied activities and its contribution to the GSDP is 30 per cent in 2019-20(Advance). Small and marginal farmers constitute about 96 per cent of the total farmers in the State against 78 per cent that of country. Agriculture and allied activities are main backbone of the State’s economy.
As the farmers are marginal and their land size is less than two hectors, the fishery may be the important choice for farmers to do it as agri-allied activities. The farmers income may increase as double with the help of fishery in the state Tripura.
The fishery sector is still profitable business for farmers but need proper support of different organisations like BAPCL, ICAR, KVK, NABARD and banks.
The government has taken different initiatives for the development of fishery sector. , According to the report of Economic Review of Tripura the total fish production (including prawn) recorded was 70586.23 MT during the year 2018-19. This could have been much higher as the State lost 5700 MT fish due to flood occurred during the year 2018-19. The fish production for the year 2019-20 expected to be 77630 MT (provision) expecting 9.98 per cent annual growth over 2018-19.
The farmers said that the cooperation of NABARD is more important because the officers of NABARD are actually playing an important role for the development of farmers with the help of Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO).
Pic from internet
