(a) whether the Government are aware that aquaculture is reeling under acute price fluctuations thereby causing serious losses to the fishermen;
(b) if so, whether Marine Produce Export Development Authority (MPEDA) and Department of Fisheries are unable to protect the fishermen; and
(c) if so, the steps taken by the Government to safeguard aquaculture in the country?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE(SHRI HUKUMDEO NARAYAN YADAV)
(a): There is no report of any acute price fluctuations in aquaculture causing serious losses. However, processed shrimp was facing price fluctuation in the international market.
(b)&(c): No, Sir. Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) has taken market promotional efforts to get better prices for our seafood products in the international market. Steps taken to safeguard aquaculture in the country by the Government include reducing the import duty on artemia cyst, package of training and inputs to aqua farmers on sustainable farming practices, distribution of water testing kits, setting up of disease diagnostic laboratories, mobile laboratories and product testing facilities for detecting anti-biotic residue.