Question : Fisheries Startup Grand Challenge

Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING ??????????, ??????? ?? ????? ?????? be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Ministry in association with Startup India, Ministry of Commerce and Industry launched the Fisheries Startup Grand Challenge to provide a platform to start-ups within the country for their innovative solutions within the Fisheries and Aquaculture sector;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the scheme is to capitalize the young talent in the country for bringing in noble solutions in the fisheries sector, if so, the details thereof?
(e) whether the Government has taken steps to design and develop technology and solutions for enhancing the productivity so that the fishers and fish farmers can achieve better price realization; and
(f) whether the Government has taken steps to develop infrastructure and post-harvest management solutions that will enable fishers, fish farmers in creating value addition, value creation and value realization ensuring minimal wastage across the fisheries value chain in the State of Bihar including district Gopalganj?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRYAND DAIRYING
(SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)
(a) to (c): Yes, Sir. The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India in association with Startup India, Ministry of Commerce and Industry has inaugurated the “Fisheries Startup Grand Challenge” on 13th January 2022. The challenge has been launched with an objective to provide a platform to young talent within the country to showcase their innovative solutions within the Fisheries and Aquaculture sector. 12 select winners of the challenge will be awarded with a cash grant of Rs 2.00 Lakh. Further, up to 10 select start-ups will also be provided with the incubation support by an incubator selected by Start Up India for a period of 9 months by providing seed grant the selected start-ups.

(e) to (f): The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying is implementing a flagship scheme namely “Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)” with highest ever investment of ?20,050 crore in fisheries sector for a period of

5 years with effect from the financial year 2020-21 in all the States and Union Territories including Bihar. The PMMSY intends to address critical gaps in fish production and productivity, quality, technology, post-harvest infrastructure and management, modernization and strengthening of value chain, traceability, establishing a robust fisheries management framework and fishers’ welfare.

The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying during the last financial year 2020-21 and current year 2021-22 accorded approval to the proposals of the Government of Bihar at a total cost of Rs.273.49 crore with Central share of Rs.86.22 crore under PMMSY for development of fisheries and aquaculture in the State. Out of the Central liability of Rs.86.22 crore, a sum of Rs.41.90 crore has been released to the Government of Bihar under the PMMSY. The Government of Bihar has reported utilization of Rs.14.22 crore and an amount of Rs. 19.11 lakh allotted to the Gopalganj District.

Besides, for creation of strengthening of fisheries infrastructure, the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying during 2018-19 created a dedicated fund namely Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) with a total funds size of Rs 7,522.48 crore. The FIDF provides concessional finance to the Eligible Entities (EEs), including State Governments/Union Territories and State entities for development of identified fisheries infrastructure facilities. The Government of Bihar has not submitted any proposals under FIDF.

Fishery is one of the fastest growing sectors amongst the primary producing sectors. However, in order to realize the true potential of the fisheries sector, technological breakthroughs are required for enhancing production, productivity and efficiency of the fisheries’ value chain. Start-up Challenge envisage to tap the unrealised potential of the fisheries sector by offering varied opportunities for bringing in scalable business solutions and maximizing the benefits for the fishermen and fish farmers.
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