All fisherman to get Kisan Credit Card facility soon: MoS Murugan
Hyderabad, Oct 24 (UNI) Union Minister of State for Fisheries and Animal Husbandry Dr L Murugan on Sunday said that every fisherman will be given the benefit of Kissan Credit Card (KCC) soon.
The Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for extending the benefits of the KCC to all Fishermen in the country are being prepared and the proposals are in advance consideration of the Agriculture Ministry, said Murugan in a press conference after a review meeting with the officials at the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) here.
Every fisherman has to get this KCC facility and we are working on it, he informed.
To increase export of marine food products, foundation stone will be laid soon for the five fishing harbours with international standards, as announced in the annual budget 2021-22, proposed at places including Kotchi, Chennai, Visakhapatnam and Paradeep, he said.
While encouraging new age fishing techniques, the government is supporting inland fishing and also keen on increasing export of fish through various projects proposed under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) , he said.
Dr Murugan further said foundation stone will be laid soon for the five fishing harbors with international standards, as announced in the annual budget 2021-22, proposed at places including Kochi, Chennai, Visakhapatnam and Paradeep.
Seaweed culture and cage aquaculture are the new age techniques that the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) is actively promoting for empowerment of fishermen, more so women, he said.
“There is a great demand for seaweed, which has medicinal properties, in India and abroad. Seaweed cultivation helps in empowerment of the fishing community, especially women,” Murugan said.
A seaweed economic park is coming up in Tamil Nadu and more such parks will be set up across the country, he added.
Earlier, the Minister virtually inaugurated the Seed Production Technology of Giant Freshwater Prawn Hatchery established in Bihar from Hyderabad. NFDB has provided financial assistance of Rs 77.16 lakh for the project.
The Recirculate Freshwater Prawn Hatchery will have a production capacity of 5 million PL per annum.