Blue Revolution in India – An Overview

The Blue Revolution in India refers to the growth and development of the country’s fisheries and aquaculture sector. The term “Blue Revolution” is inspired by the earlier successful agricultural revolutions such as the Green Revolution.

These aims are to enhance fish and aquatic food production to meet the increasing demand for protein-rich food and to improve the socio-economic conditions of the people involved in the fisheries sector.

The Blue Revolution, or neel or nili Kranti, was launched by the government in 7th five-year plan during 1985-1990.

The Blue Revolution involves the implementation of various schemes and programs by the government of India, including the promotion of fish farming, the development of fisheries infrastructure, research and development in aquaculture technologies, and the provision of financial assistance to fish farmers.

It’s important to note that success depends on the sustainable management of aquatic resources, the adoption of modern technologies, and the involvement of local communities in the development process.

Father Of Blue Revolution

The Father of the Blue Revolution in India is generally considered to be Dr Arun Krishnan and Hiralal Chaudhari. Dr. Arun Krishnan played a significant role in the development and promotion of freshwater aquaculture in India.

The objectives of the Blue Revolution

• Increase in Fish Production: Boosting overall fish and seafood production through the promotion of aquaculture and modern fishing practices.
• Employment Generation: Creating employment opportunities, particularly in rural and coastal areas, by fostering growth in the fisheries and aquaculture sector.
• Poverty Alleviation: Alleviating poverty in fishing communities by enhancing income and livelihoods through increased fish production and related activities.
• Export Promotion: Facilitating the export of seafood products to contribute to foreign exchange earnings for the country.
• Resource Utilization: Efficient and sustainable utilization of water resources to ensure the long-term health and viability of aquatic ecosystems.
• Aquaculture Promotion: Emphasis on the expansion and promotion of aquaculture practices to increase fish and seafood production. This includes the development of modern fish farming techniques and technologies.
• Infrastructure Development: Investment in fisheries infrastructure, such as the construction of ponds, tanks, and other aquaculture facilities, to support increased production and better resource utilization.
• Technological Innovation: Encouragement of research and development in aquaculture technologies to enhance productivity, improve water quality management, and mitigate environmental impact.
• Training and Capacity Building: Programs to provide training and build the capacity of fish farmers, fishermen, and other stakeholders in the fisheries sector, enabling them to adopt best practices and modern techniques.
• Financial Assistance: Provision of financial support and incentives to fish farmers to encourage their participation in sustainable aquaculture practices and to facilitate the adoption of new technologies.
• Community Participation: Involvement of local communities in the planning and implementation of fisheries-related programs, ensuring that the benefits of the Blue Revolution reach those directly dependent on fisheries for their livelihoods.
• Integrated Fisheries Development: Implementation of integrated approaches that consider the entire value chain of fisheries, including production, processing, marketing, and export, to ensure a holistic and sustainable development of the sector.
• Environmental Sustainability: Emphasis on sustainable practices to ensure the conservation of aquatic ecosystems, overfishing prevention, and biodiversity protection.

Features Of the Blue Revolution

The Blue Revolution in India is characterized by several key features aimed at promoting sustainable growth and development in the fisheries and aquaculture sector.

The initiative encompasses various features aimed at promoting and developing the fisheries sector. Here’s a summary of the key features you mentioned:

Socio-Economic Development:

Fisheries are recognized as a sunrise sector with the potential to significantly contribute to the socio-economic development of approximately 14.50 million fisherfolk in the country.

Management Authority:

The Blue Revolution is managed by the Department of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairy Farming (DFAHD) under the banner of “Integrated Development & Management of Fisheries.”

Convergence and Linkages:

There are convergence and linkages between the Blue Revolution scheme and other projects. Such as the ‘Sagarmala Project’ of the Ministry of Shipping and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA).

Neel Kranti Mission:

The Neel Kranti Mission focuses on enhancing the production and productivity of inland and marine fisheries.

Promotion of Economically Backward Sections:

The Blue Revolution promotes and encourages the involvement of economically backward sections, including Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Women, and their cooperatives in fishing activities.

Entrepreneurship Development:

The Neel/Nili Kranti Mission emphasizes entrepreneurship development, Public-Private Partnership (PPP), private investment, and better leveraging of institutional finance.

Reconstruction and Umbrella Scheme:

The Blue Revolution scheme involves the reconstruction of aqua and agricultural schemes under its umbrella, facilitating a comprehensive approach to development.

Ministry Oversight:

The scheme is reconstructed by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and the Fisheries and Aquaculture Department (FAD).

National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB):

The National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) ensures the regular development and management of fisheries. Besides it is playing a key role in the implementation of the Blue Revolution.

Further, these features collectively illustrate the holistic approach of the Blue Revolution scheme in addressing various aspects of fisheries development. Apart from this it also focuses on socio-economic upliftment to entrepreneurship and institutional support.

However, these features collectively contribute to the holistic development of the fisheries and aquaculture sector under the Blue Revolution, aiming to achieve economic prosperity while maintaining ecological balance.

Outcome Of the Blue Revolution

The success of the Blue Revolution depends on effective implementation, continued support, and adaptation to evolving challenges.

Besides efforts were made to diversify aquaculture practices by promoting the cultivation of various species of fish and shellfish. This not only increased production but also provided farmers with options that suited local conditions.

Significant Increase in Fish Production:

The Indian fisheries sector has experienced remarkable growth, reaching a production of 4.7 million tonnes of fish. Additionally, this includes a substantial contribution from freshwater aquaculture, which has seen a significant increase compared to 50 years ago.

High Growth Rate:

The average annual growth rate of 14.8% in fish. Besides the fish product production in India is notably higher than the global average of 7.5%. This indicates the success and momentum of the Blue Revolution initiatives in the country.

Export Growth and International Standing:

India has emerged as the world’s second-largest producer of fish, with exports exceeding 47,000 crore rupees. Moreover, this sector has become a significant contributor to India’s agricultural exports, with a growth rate ranging from 6% to 10% over the last five years.

Economic Contributions:

The fisheries and aquaculture sector’s contributions to India’s GDP and Agricultural GDP are substantial.

Further with a 1% contribution to the overall GDP and a 5% contribution to the Agricultural GDP, the sector plays a crucial role in the economic landscape of the country.

Employment and Livelihood Improvement:

The growth in the fisheries sector has likely led to increased employment opportunities, particularly in rural and coastal areas. This contributes to the improvement of livelihoods for communities dependent on fishing activities.

Technological Advancements:

The achievement of such high growth rates suggests the adoption of modern technologies and best practices in this industry. This includes advancements in breeding techniques, feed management, and overall production efficiency.

Sustainability Considerations:

While not explicitly mentioned in the provided information, it is essential to consider the sustainability of these achievements.

Sustainable practices in fisheries and aquaculture are crucial for maintaining long-term productivity without harming the marine ecosystem.

The outcomes of the Blue Revolution in the Indian fisheries sector showcase a remarkable transformation and success story. It positions India as a major player in the global fisheries industry.

However, ongoing efforts are necessary to ensure the sustainability of these achievements. To address any environmental or social challenges associated with rapid sectoral growth.