# Business

Five integrated aquaparks to be set up: FM

Presenting the Interim Budget 2024-25 in Parliament, the Minister said: “It was our government that set up a separate department for fisheries realising the importance of assisting fishermen. This has resulted in doubling of both inland and aquaculture production.”

Statesman News Service | New Delhi | February 1, 2024 6:36 pm

Five integrated aquaparks to be set up: FM

In a bid to boost the fisheries sector, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday said that five integrated aquaparks will be set up in the country.

Presenting the Interim Budget 2024-25 in Parliament, the Minister said: “It was our government that set up a separate department for fisheries realising the importance of assisting fishermen. This has resulted in doubling of both inland and aquaculture production.”

The Minister highlighted that seafood exports have also doubled since 2013-14.

She announced that the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana will be stepped up to enhance aquaculture productivity from the current 3 to 5 tonnes per hectare. Exports will be doubled to Rs 1 lakh crore and 55 lakh employment opportunities will be created soon, she added.

The Minister announced the launch of a scheme for the promotion of climate-resilient activities for Blue Economy 2.0. The move will focus on restoration and adaptation measures, coastal aquaculture, and mariculture, employing an integrated and multi-sectoral approach.

Sitharaman also announced that a comprehensive programme for supporting dairy farmers will be formulated, adding that efforts had been made to control the foot and mouth disease.

She said that India is the world’s largest milk producer, albeit with low productivity among milch animals. The programme will draw inspiration from the successes of existing schemes such as the Rashtriya Gokul Mission, National Livestock Mission, and Infrastructure Development Funds for dairy processing and animal husbandry, she added.