Delhi, 8 March (H.S.): The Fisheries Startup Conclave 2.0, organized by the Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying (MoFAH&D) in Hyderabad, Telangana, was inaugurated by Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, alongside other dignitaries, including Minister of State Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel and Prof. Ramesh Chand from NITI Aayog. This event aimed to foster innovation in the fisheries sector and introduced the Fisheries Startup Grand Challenge 2.0, designed to support startups in manufacturing and related fields. The initiative seeks to enhance entrepreneurship, technological progress, and sustainability in fisheries and aquaculture, thereby improving production and overall efficiency.
Ten winning startups of this challenge will receive funding of Rs 1 crore each and structured incubation support facilitated by ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), and other affiliated institutions. These incubators will mentor startups and offer capacity-building programs, facilitating effective scaling of their solutions.
Additionally, during the conclave, the NFDP Mobile Application was launched to increase access to benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PM-MKSSY). The app, accessible on the Google Play Store, provides startups with comprehensive access to various government schemes and enhances digital identity integration for stakeholders within the fisheries sector. The app also aids in financial inclusion by offering registration processes that simplify access to PM-MKSSY benefits, financial aid, insurance, and training programs.
India’s fisheries and aquaculture sector supports approximately 3 crore livelihoods and has benefitted from extensive government investments aimed at promoting sustainable growth, leading to the establishment of over 300 innovative fisheries startups utilizing advanced technologies like blockchain, IoT, and AI. This remarkable growth has established a roadmap for addressing value chain challenges by focusing on sustainable aquaculture practices and improving market linkages.
Furthermore, the NFDP initiative signifies the Department of Fisheries’ ongoing commitment to digital transformation, following the national platform’s launch by Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh in September 2024. Overall, the conclave marks a major step towards fostering a sustainable and digitally inclusive fisheries landscape in India.
Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
