Nagpur: The fisheries sector could soon benefit from a Minimum Support Price (MSP) system on the lines of the agricultural sector, according to a report on inland fishing by the Maharashtra Animal & Fishery Sciences University (MAFSU). The report, which also recommends establishing riverine fisheries co-operative societies, was submitted to the State government on July 5.
The report contains findings of a first-of-its-kind survey by MAFSU of all 30,650 inland water bodies in 11 Vidarbha districts to estimate potential and promote inland fishery resources. Dr. Ashish Paturkar, Vice-Chancellor, MAFSU, said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has asked them to prepare a similar report for the rest of the State.
The suggested action plan includes allotment of fishing rights to conventional fishermen. Taking a cue from the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) Act, which covers farm produce, the report has suggested marketing fish. Also recommended is a dedicated Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture Act to regulate inland fishing.
Dr. Paturkar said, “An MSP for fish and fishery products would also mean extending benefits to the fishermen involved in inland fishing. The Act will be on the lines of the APMC Act. We have also suggested establishing a fish market price information system.”
The survey, he added, aimed to identify the exact number and spread of inland water bodies. “In this report, we have also collected data on soil, which will be useful for implementing various schemes. For Vidarbha, the aim is to increase fish production from 68,000 metric tonnes (MT) to 1.78 lakh MT per year.”
Dr. Paturkar said the project received help from the Vidarbha Development Board. “We are in talks with the Marathwada Development Board for their support in a similar exercise for the region. This will be done in other regions as well, and a State-level report will be submitted soon.”