“Investors and Exporters meet to be held at Lakshadweep in November with Special Focus on tuna, seaweed and ornamental fishes”: Rajiv Ranjan Singh
(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
Leaders gathered in Kochi, Kerala, on Saturday to boost Lakshadweep’s fisheries sector, putting a spotlight on tuna, seaweed, and ornamental fish industries. The high-level meeting drew top officials, including Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Union Minister of State George Kurian, and Lakshadweep Administrator Praful Patel.
Rajiv Ranjan Singh kicked things off with big news: India plans an Investors and Exporters Meet in Lakshadweep next November 2025. The event aims to draw funding and grow exports in tuna fisheries, seaweed farming, and ornamental fish breeding. “When fish catches rise in Lakshadweep, the islands’ economy thrives, and so does India’s,” Singh said. He tied this push to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a developed India—Viksit Bharat—by 2047.
Singh praised Lakshadweep’s prime spot in India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), covering nearly 20% of it and unlocking deep-sea treasures like premium tuna. The islands shine for sustainable fishing methods, such as pole-and-line and handline techniques that avoid bycatch and protect the ocean. He pushed for building a strong tuna value chain, starting entrepreneur programs in seaweed and ornamental fisheries, and supporting Fishermen and Fish Farmers Producer Organizations (FFPOs).
To make exports smoother, Singh promised certification and traceability for eco-friendly tuna. He called for a joint team from the Indian government and Lakshadweep administration to tackle delays and tech gaps. “Everyone must pitch in to build Atmanirbhar Bharat—self-reliant India—with Lakshadweep leading on production and exports,” he added.
George Kurian echoed the excitement, calling Lakshadweep a key player in India’s booming fisheries sector. He referenced PM Modi’s recent speech in Bhavnagar on “Samudra Se Samriddhi,” or prosperity from the seas. Kurian noted how the blue in India’s flag symbolizes the Blue Revolution in the ocean economy. After IT, fisheries ranks as India’s second-fastest growing sector, he said, urging more policy support. He wants the industry to align with Atmanirbhar Bharat, Vocal for Local, and Swadeshi to drive self-reliance.
Kurian thanked the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) and Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Lakshadweep for their work in ornamental fisheries and its huge potential. He stressed investing in modern infrastructure, cold chains, and value-added processing to help local fishers succeed.
Praful Patel highlighted Lakshadweep’s challenges as India’s smallest Union Territory, with tough mainland links and past development hurdles. Even after 75 years of independence, clean water was scarce—until PM Modi’s desalination plants arrived on every island. Now, all classrooms are smart, letting kids compete worldwide, and hospitals plus airports are expanding.
Patel called for training on boat tech and fish processing, plus better outreach for government schemes to reach more people. He prioritized cold storage to add value to catches and suggested an Investors Meet to lure private money into fisheries. Deep-sea fishing could skyrocket production, he added.
Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary in India’s Department of Fisheries, outlined support under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) to ramp up Lakshadweep’s output for global markets. He promoted offshore seaweed clusters with private partners and smart, integrated harbors to modernize mechanized fishing.
Rajthilak S, Lakshadweep’s Fisheries Secretary, shared progress on the tuna value chain, including artificial reefs to grow livebait fish. The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) supplies fishing zone data to locals, and teams are boosting livebait supplies. Deep-sea efforts should spike yields, while new refrigerated fish water tanks will cut post-harvest losses by checking histamine levels early.
The meeting united experts from the Lakshadweep Administration, India’s Fisheries Department, and groups like the Ministries of Home Affairs, Ports, Food Processing, Environment, Earth Sciences, plus MPEDA, ICAR, NITI Aayog, NCDC, and NABARD. Together, they’re setting the stage for sustainable growth in India’s vibrant fisheries sector.
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