The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries and the Agriculture Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), has begun a series of roundtable discussions and field visits with farm produce organisations to promote Varanasi region marine product exports. A circuit house recently hosted the first roundtable discussion for fisheries farmers to explore the issue. MPEDA and APEDA are attempting to establish Varanasi as a fish product centre.
In collaboration with the Department of Fisheries and the Agriculture Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) has begun a series of roundtable discussions and field visits with farm produce organisations to promote Varanasi region marine product exports. A circuit house recently convened the first roundtable discussion on the subject for fishery farmers.
CB Singh, APEDA regional officer, stated that his authorities, the Ministry of Commerce and Industries, the government of India, and MPEDA have already taken some key initiatives to sensitise growers, exporters, government officials, and other stakeholders about the export potential of agri products from the Varanasi region.
“As the number of fisheries farmers and their output in this region has expanded dramatically in recent years, there has been a strong desire from them for similar chances as agriculture farmers. In light of this, MPEDA officials based in Kochi have been instructed to convene a meeting here “Singh stated.
When the “Vanijya Saptah” (commerce week) began here on September 26, fishery farmers were assured by APEDA officials that they would begin initiatives to boost marine-agricultural product exports from the Varanasi region by inviting MPEDA, the nodal agency for marine product exports and a sister organisation of APEDA under the Ministry of Commerce & Industries, Government of India.
During the discussion, MPEDA director M Karthikeyan emphasised the need of constructing a hatchery in Varanasi and assured that future action in this respect will be taken with the relevant department very soon. He further stated that MPEDA will extend full support in making Varanasi an export centre for fish products after reviewing the work done in the direction of fisheries promotion in this region.
Dr. Lahiri, Deputy Director of MPEDA, stated that MPEDA is looking into the possibility of expanding Varanasi as a fish export centre. According to the deputy director of Fisheries in Varanasi, the farmers in the area are working on cutting-edge technologies, which necessitates capacity expansion. There is a need to research and practise value addition and its impact on farmers.
One of the region’s aqua farmers, Kailash Singh of Sevapuri block, expressed hope that with particular support from MPEDA, the produce will not only be offered in the national market but also in the worldwide market. Another farmer, Ajay Singh from Emiliya in Chandauli, stated that the problem of marketing will be overcome with the help of MPEDA and APEDA.
According to the officials, a processing facility, packhouse for fish produce, hatchery in UP, and technological progress may be recommended in the future to promote fish and fish produce export from Varanasi.
Exposure trips by FPOs and authorities are also being planned, they added, highlighting how fish farming in the nation has increased steadily since the start of the “Blue Revolution.” Over the last decade, the value of fish and fish product exports has increased from Rs. 10,000 crores to Rs. 50,000 crores.