Gujarat's Fishing Industry: Harvesting the Potentia
If harnessed appropriately, modern technology can play a huge role in increasing productivity in any profession. Recognizing this, the government of?Gujarat has been advoacting for the adoption of modern technology to unlock the potential of deep-sea diving. The coastline of Gujarat spans 1600 km, making it the longest coastline in India. Consequently, Gujarat has been responsible for an average of 8.5 lakh metric tons of marine fish supply in the last four years. Furthermore, the state has been responsible for approximately 17% of the country’s total fish exports.
The government has already implemented numerous policy initiatives, including enhancing port infrastructure, reducing VAT rates on diesel, and providing subsidies for kerosene and petrol. These efforts have already made a difference for the fishing communities. Over the past five years, the average annual income of fishing families in Gujarat has surged from INR 6.56 lakh to INR 10.89 lakh. The focus, however, now is to exploit the potential of deep fishing in the state. The central and state governments are working towards helping fishermen acquire deep-sea fishing boats. As per Dr. L. Murugan, the Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairy, the central government intends to extend support through schemes namely the Blue Revolution and the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, wherein the government will provide up to 60% financial assistance to traditional fishermen so that they can convert their boats into deep-sea fishing boats.
The fishing industry significantly contributes to employment and revenue within the state economy. To fully harness the potential of deep-sea fishing, there's a necessity for heightened investment and the integration of modern technology.
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