Odisha Targets Marine Products Export To 20K Cr In Next 5 Years

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has targeted to increase the marine products export to Rs.20,000 crores per annum in the coming 5 years, said a government statement on Friday.

The state has a target to double the fish production in next 5 years and as the pioneer state in the country, it has already notified Odisha Fisheries Policy, 2015.

Odisha’s marine products export during 2014-15 was 34,767 metric ton valued at Rs. 2069 crores. This shows a growth of 450% over the export of 2000-2001, which was valued at Rs.379 crores, said a statement.

Odisha is one of the major maritime states, offering vast scope for development of inland, brackish water, and marine fisheries. The state’s 480 km long coastline with 24,000 square km area within the continental shelf has ample potential for marine fisheries development.

Freshwater resources of the state are estimated to be 6.76 lakh ha comprising 1.25 lakh ha of tanks/ponds, 2 lakh ha of reservoirs, 1.80 lakh ha of lakes, swamps & bheels and 1.71 lakh hectares of rivers and canals, said the statement.

The state’s brackish water resources are of the order of 4.18 lakh ha with a break up of 0.79 lakh ha of Chilika Lake, 2.98 lakh ha of estuaries, 32,587 ha of brackish water area and 8,100 ha of backwaters.

The state has 24,031 Ha. of suitable brackish water government land which can be utilized for L. Vannamei Culture.

The Brackish Water Land Leasing Principles are in place and there is provision for giving preference to the existing farmers, technically qualified persons and trained as well as experienced persons, the statement said.

By harnessing the brackish water resources through leasing, the Fisheries Department has planned to enhance shrimp production to 3 lakh MT in next 5 years. To cope up with the increased production, infrastructures like Ice Plant, Processing Plant, Refrigerated Transportation Vehicle, Laboratories, Equipment and Machineries for culture activities, Feed plant, Road Network, Electric Connectivity to Clusters will be required in addition to road connective to Shrimp Clusters.

The Jagatjore­ Banpada Shrimp Culture project has been leased out to a private company for taking up Vannamei culture extensively. This will also help in increasing the export and employment generation.

The Department has recently entered into a technical collaboration with WorldFish to adopt the best management practices for increasing productivity in the existing water bodies.