The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairy, and the National Fisheries Development Board, in collaboration with the Gujarat government’s department of fisheries, Indian Coast Guard, Fishery Survey of India, Gujarat Maritime Board, and fishermen representatives, will organise “Sagar Parikrama,” which will begin today in Mandvi and end on March 6 in Porbandar, via Okha in Devbhoomi Dwarka.
Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairy, stated that the “Sagar Parikrama” initiative will seek to understand the “challenges, experiences, and aspirations of the fishermen community,” as well as to examine the scope of seafood exports and popularise schemes available to the fishing community in coastal areas.
The minister was addressing a press conference here on Friday as a curtain raiser for the initiative.
While the programme is planned to be held in states that have a coastline, Gujarat will mark the first state as part of this initiative.
Rupala said, “Our aim is to go to fishing harbours, landing points and fishing points across the country, and not simply to ports. To build a “fishing village” cadre, similar to “vibrant village” cadre, we will assess the situation in such villages, see the expectations the fisher community has and bridge the gap with their realities.
Fishermen and those involved in animal husbandry will also be able to use the Kisan credit card (KCC). The government’s SoP for the same is ready, but awareness is low.”