HBI Staff | Mumbai 
In the Interim Budget, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman earmarked Rs 2,352 crore for the “Blue Revolution,” aiming to double farmers income through the development, management, and promotion of fisheries. The allocation is INR 852 Cr ,increase from Rs 1,500 crore in the previous year.
“It was our government which set up a separate department for fisheries, realising the importance of assisting fishermen. This has resulted in doubling of both inland and aquaculture production,” Sitharaman said in her budget speech.
Sitharaman said that seafood exports had doubled since 2013-14 and the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) would be expanded.
The Matsya Sampada Yojna aims to bring Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of the fisheries sector.
“It will enhance aquaculture productivity from 3 to 5 tons per hectare and also help in reaching the export target of Rs 1 lakh crore, generating 55 lakh employment opportunities”, added Sitharaman.
