BLUE REVOLUTION 

The Blue Revolution refers to the significant growth and intensification of global aquaculture production -domestication and farming of fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants- from the middle of the 20th century to present, particularly in underdeveloped countries 

OBJECTIVES

• To increase the overall fish production in a responsible and sustainable manner for economic prosperity

• To modernize the fisheries with special focus on new technologies

• To ensure food and nutritional security

• To generate employment and export earnings

• To ensure inclusive development and empower fishers and aquaculture farmers

HISTORY 

Prior to the 1980s, global fish supply from aquaculture did not represent a significant food source. However, depletion of ocean fisheries and subsequent decline of capture fishery production caused aquaculture to grow rapidly. From the mid-1980s to 2000, global aquaculture production increased by more than 50%, and cemented itself as a significant source for global fish supply. Since 2000, aquaculture has been the fastest growing food production sector, growing 5.8% per year, supplying over 100 metric tonnes of fish, shellfish and seaweeds from 425 species in 2017.

The Blue Revolution was initially concentrated in Asia, and China in particular. Aquaculture in Asian countries continues to dominate, accounting for 89% of global aquaculture production, with China alone accounts for 58% of global production. However, it is also intensifying in other regions, with growth rates in South America, and more recently Africa, outpacing China.

The Blue Revolution has driven and supported global increase in global fish consumption since the 1980s.Over the last several decades, global fish consumption has increased 3.1% per year, and is primarily supplied through aquaculture

some of the main factors of Blue Revolution- 

1. Empowering the database and geographical information system of the fisheries sector 
2. National fisheries development board and its activities 
3. National scheme of welfare of fishermen 
4. Development of marine fisheries, Post Harvest Operations and Infrastructure 
5. Institutional arrangements for the fisheries sector 
6. Development of aquaculture and inland fisheries 
7. Controlling, monitoring and surveillance along with other need-based interventions 

The foremost importance of Blue Revolution are mentioned:

• Triple the production of the fish potential of India on both islands and the marine sector by 2020.
• Transform the Fish and Aqua Industry into the modern industry using technologies & processes.
• Double the income of fisheries through productivity increment and marketing infrastructure like E-Commerce, Global Investors, etc.
• Active participation of farmers in the growth and enhancement of income.
• Develop nutritional and food security in India.
• 20% of the world’s total intake of protein is from seafood, higher in coastal communities.
• Most pearls sold outcome from Pearl Aquaculture Farms.
• Potential Profits from fish is to be gained by cultivating in larger quantities.

Outcomes of Blue Revolution in India 

With the success of the Blue Revolution, a major improvement was seen in the aquaculture and fisheries sector. Here are some of the outcomes that were seen with the use of marketing, fish breeding and rearing- 

The annual growth of 14.8% was recorded as compared to the global average of 75% across the fish products

From 60,000 tonnes, the Indian Fisheries Sector grew to 4.7 million tonnes of fishes including 1.6 million tonnes of fish from freshwater. 

Fishery became India’s largest export with the growth rate of 6% to 10%

Contribution of 1% and 5% to India’s GDP and Agricultural GDP respectively

Fisheries Sector in India:

India recorded an average annual growth of over 14.8 percent in the production of fish and fish products in the last decade compared to the 5% global average in the same period.

The fisheries and related product industry are expanding at a rate of 6 percent annually and India has huge potential to meet this ever-increasing demand.

Fisheries and aquaculture production contribute to 1% of India’s GDP and over 5% of the agricultural GDP.

India has a marine Fisher population of 3.5 million and over 10.5 million people are engaged in inland fishery and fish farming.

India is the second-largest fish producer country in the world with exports worth more than 47,000 crore rupees.

India is only behind China in aquaculture production, which has an annual production of 60 million tones.

Fisheries is the single largest agriculture export in India with a growth rate of 6 to 10 percent in the last five years.

Currently, USA is the largest market for Indian seafood products followed by South East Asian Countries and the European Union Nations.

Impact of Blue Revolution in India:

1. India is the world’s 2nd largest producer of fish, with exports worth more than Rs.50 000 crore.
2. Asian countries contribute to 90% of aquaculture across the world.
3. Fisheries in India’s single largest agriculture export in international markets with a growth rate of 6% – 10%.
4. Indian Fisheries Sector reached a production of 4.7 million tonnes of fish, including 1.6 million of fish from freshwater aquaculture.
5. The fisheries and aquaculture production gives a good contribution of almost 1% to India’s GDP and 5% to Agricultural GDP.
6. India has an average annual growth of 14.8% in the production of fish and its products in the last decade.
7. Various research centers were established in order to increase the production and improvise the species with particular tests.
8. Several fishing harbors were established all across the nation.
9. Assistance to Fisheries, almost 29,127.23 ha area of land were given under aquaculture.

Matsya Sampada Yojana

Matsya Samapada Yojana was announced by the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during the Financial Budget 2019-20. The Government aims to promote aquaculture to benefit all fishermen with social security and to expand the coverage for accident insurance.