Fish-ing a Success Story

Jatindra Nath Swain, Union Secretary, Fisheries

Jatindra Nath Swain, a 1988-batch IAS officer of Tamil Nadu cadre is serving as the Union Secretary of the Department of Fisheries with an additional charge of the post of Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
Following his appointment, Mr Swain visited the ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture in Bhubaneswar. On his first visit to the Institute, Dr J. K. Jena, Deputy Director General (Fisheries Science), Indian Council of Agricultural Research and Dr Saroj Kumar Swain, Director, ICAR-CIFA, welcomed the secretary and showed him the facilities, hatcheries, aquarium, feed mill, and KVK. Swain provided him with an overview of the institute’s ongoing research activities and farmer-friendly technologies. Among the units, the secretary visited were tilapia, rohu, prawns, air-breathing fish, ornamental fish, and hydroponics. Freshwater aquaculture’s current status and challenges were discussed by Dr Jena. The secretary appreciated the research work and stressed the importance of developing innovative and efficient technology options for farmers.
Shri Swain interacted with scientists at the institute in the afternoon. Researchers should focus on reducing farm input costs, developing fish and fishery products markets, and developing a responsive extension system to disseminate the developed technologies. India’s government has set a target of producing 22 million tonnes of fish by 2025 and earning one lakh crore in export earnings in rupees. Researchers can play a crucial role in achieving the above objectives. In response to the growing demand for fish in the domestic market and globally, he assured that he would provide all kinds of support to strengthen the research and production of quality fish. Chief Administrative Officer Sri B K Sinha, heads of divisions and scientists attended the interaction.
In his previous visit to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture, Chennai, stressed on developing innovative and efficient technology options for the farming community. He also urged the researchers to focus on reducing the farm input cost, creating a new market for diversified fish and fishery products and developing responsive extension systems to disseminate the technologies to end-users. He stressed on transformative changes required for realizing the goals and the critical roles of researchers could play in it. Further, Secretary had also appreciated the progress in eco-based farming such as biofloc farming technology for shrimp nursery and grow-out technology. He had also interacted with engineers associated with the institute through a start-up program regarding aerator efficiency and automation in biofloc and intensive farming systems. He suggested economizing the aeration by improving efficiency.
Under his leadership, the fisheries sector has got a string of benefits under the aegis of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana during 2020-21. As many as 677462 Fishermen’s families will get a livelihood and nutritional support during the fishing ban/lean period and 117531 Rafts and Monoline/Tubenets for seaweed cultivation. Besides, the scheme has provisions for 1655 Fish retail markets, Fish kiosks (including Ornamental kiosks), 1248 Ornamental fish rearing units and Integrated Ornamental fish units, and upgradation of Existing fishing vessels.
The Department is responsible for matters relating to the formulation of policy and schemes relating to the Development of Inland, Marine and Coastal Fisheries and Fishery Institutes, namely Fishery Survey of India Mumbai, Central Institute of Fisheries Nautical and Engineering Training (CIFNET), Kerala, Central Institute of Coastal Engineering For Fishery (CICEF), Bangalore, National Institute of Fisheries Post Harvest Technology and Training,(NIFPHATT), Kochi, National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Hyderabad, Coastal Aquaculture Authority, Chennai.

The department covers an array of activities like Development of fish feed and fish products industry with regard to the formulation of the demand and fixation of targets, promotion and development of Fishing and Fisheries (inland, marine and beyond territorial waters) and its associated activities, including infrastructure development, Marketing, Exports, and institutional arrangements, etc, welfare of Fishermen and other Fisher-folk and strengthening of their livelihoods, liaison and cooperation with international organizations in matters relating to fisheries development, Fisheries Statistics, matters relating to loss of fish stock due to natural calamities, regulation of fish stock importation, Quarantine and Certification, Fishery Survey of India, Mumbai, legislation with regard to the Prevention of the extension from one State to another of infectious or contagious diseases or pests affecting fish and legislation with regard to Pattern of financial assistance to various State Undertakings, Fisheries Development Schemes through State agencies/Co-operative Unions.
It is expected that Mr Swain will exalt the country’s fisheries sector to new highs, ramping up production and enhancing export competitiveness.