New Delhi, September 17, 2024 : Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry &Dairying, Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh briefed the media today on the important decisions taken and achievements of the Ministry for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying in 100 days of the third term of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and Panchayati Raj Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel, Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and Ministry of Minority Affairs Shri George Kurian, Secretary, Department of Fisheries Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi and Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying Ms. Alka Upadhyay and senior officers of Ministry were also present at the press conference.
While briefing Achievements of Fishing Department, Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh said that Fisheries and aquaculture are an important source of food, nutrition, employment, income and foreign exchange. Fish being an affordable and rich source of healthy animal protein and omega 3-fatty acids, it offers immense potential to mitigate hunger and malnutrition.
Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh said that India is blessed with rich and diverse fisheries resources and a variety of fish species are found that enrich our biodiversity. Fisheries and aquaculture is a promising sector that provides livelihood and employment opportunities to about 3 crore fishers and fish farmers at the primary level and several lakhs along the value chain. India is the 2nd largest fish producing country with around 8% share in global fish production. Globally, India also stands at 2nd in aquaculture production, is one of the top shrimp producing and exporting nations and 3rd largest capture fisheries producer. During last ten years, the Government of India has taken up several transformational initiatives for holistic development of fisheries and aquaculture sector.
Growth in Livestock Sector
Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh further said livestock Sector is an important subsector of agriculture in the Indian economy. It grew at a CAGR of 9.82% during 2014-15 to 2022-23 and is one of the fastest growing sectors of the country. The contribution of livestock in total agriculture and allied sector GVA has increased from 24.36 per cent in 2014-15 to 30.22% in 2022-23. Livestock sector contributed 5.5% per cent of total GVA in 2022-23 (As per National Account statistics 2024). Value of output of livestock sector is Rs 17.25 lakh crore (205.81 billion US dollars) at current price during 2022-23. Value of output of milk alone is more than Rs.11.16 lakh crore (133.16 billion US$) which is the highest of the agriculture produce and even more than the combined value of Paddy and Wheat.
Union Minister Shri Singh said that the value of milk output has increased significantly by 125% from Rs. 4.96 lakh Cr in 2014-15 to Rs. 11.16 lakh Cr in 2022-23. Animal Husbandry sector provides livelihood support to more than 100 million rural households. Milk production has increased by 57.62% over the past 9 years from 146.3 million tonnes during 2014-15 to 230.60 million metric tonnes during 2022-23. Milk production is growing at the annual growth rate of 5.9 % over the past 9 years and whereas, World milk production is growing at 2% per annum. The per capita availability of milk is 459 grams per day in 2022-23 as against the World average of 325 grams per day during 2022-23. Per capita availability has increased from 307 grams per person per day in 2013-14 to 459 grams per person per day in 2022-23 showing a growth of 49.51%.
The Union Minister said that egg production in the country has increased by 76.32% from 78.48 billion number of eggs in 20014-15 to 138.38 billion number of eggs. Per capita availability of eggs from 62 eggs per person per year in 2014-15 to 101 egg per person year in 2022-23. During last 9 years average productivity of cattle and buffaloes is increased by 27% from 1648.17 kg per animal per year during 2013-14 to 2079 kg per animal per year in 2021-22 which is highest productivity growth rate in the world.