Tata Trusts and the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) jointly announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), in the presence of Government Commerce Secretary Rita Teaotia in New Delhi on Tuesday.
The MoU proposes to undertake collaborative efforts and activities to bring better living conditions to the rural communities whose livelihoods are linked to fisheries and aquaculture.
Tata Trusts Secretary and Chief Accountant Burzis S. Taraporevala, in a statement, said that through the MoU with MPEDA, several key issues of the fisheries sector including low volume of catch, low productivity in aquaculture and depletion of fishery resources in sea would be addressed.
Tata Trusts and MPEDA would also help resolve issues surrounding low price realization due to several layers of intermediaries and disconnect to better access to markets as well as a lack of safe, hygienic conditions, he said.
Shift to culture fisheries
The MoU aimed at addressing these problems by looking at a shift to culture fisheries, from the predominant capture fisheries, through the development of the best quality of fish broodstock for promoting seafood exports from India and then linking this produce to export markets. Another focal area of the MoU would be on arriving at ways of improving the fisheries infrastructure, with a strong focus on hygiene, thereby providing an ecosystem necessary for exports.
Together, the Tata Trusts and MPEDA, would strive to improve the fisheries development plans for Andhra Pradesh in the first phase and then expand to other states after mutual consultation. MPEDA Chairman Leena Nair said,
"This MoU would provide for collaborative approach to work towards betterment of fishery dependent families."
To leverage MPEDA expertise
Mr. Taraporevala added, “This unique collaboration brings with it, Tata Trusts’ legacy of implementing initiatives to provide sustainable livelihoods across India.
With the fishing resources emerging as a key source of sustainable livelihood, we intend to work holistically in this sector - from supporting better fishing practices to developing market linkages.
MPEDA’s expertise spanning fisheries and aquaculture is unparalleled and we hope, with this association, we are able to bring prosperity to rural communities.”
Measures to be taken to ensure sustained, quality seafood exports
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