Action Plan Funded by Vidarbha Development Board, Nagpur Development of Fisheries and Aquaculture in Vidarbha Funded by Vidarbha Development Board, Nagpur Submitted by College of Fishery Science, Nagpur (Maharashtra Animal and Fishery Sciences University) Funding Agency : Vidarbha Development Board, Nagpur Project Team Principal Investigator : Shri. Sachin W. Belsare Assistant Professor, College of Fishery Science, Nagpur Co-Principal Investigator : Dr. Prashant A. Telvekar Dr. Satyajit S. Belsare Shri. Shamkant T. Shelke Dr. J.G.K. Pathan Shri Rajiv H. Rathod Shri. Sagar A. Joshi Shri. Shailendra S. Relekar Shri. Umesh A. Suryawanshi Assistance by : Shri. Swapnil S. Ghatge Assistant Professor, College of Fishery Science, Udgir Shri. Durgesh R. Kende and Shri. Vitthal S. Potre Technical Assistant, VDB Scheme, College of Fishery Science, Nagpur Technical help : Maharashtra Remote Sensing Application Centre (MRSAC), VNIT Campus, South Ambazari Road, VNIT Campus, Nagpur, Maharashtra 440011 Support : Hon’ble Divisional Commissioner, Civil Lines, Nagpur Vidarbha Development Board, South Ambazari Road, Nagpur The Commissioner of Fisheries, Mumbai, Maharashtra & Regional Deputy Commissioner of Fisheries, Nagpur & Amravati Division Maharashtra Fisheries Development Corporation Ltd. Mumbai & MFDC, Regional Office, Nagpur District Fisheries Federation, Nagpur & Amravati Division Fisheries Co-operative Societies, Nagpur & Amravati Division OFFICE OF THE DIVISIONAL COMMISSIONER, NAGPUR Old Secretariat Building, Civil Lines, Nagpur 440001 Tel. : 0712-2562132, E-mail : [email protected] Fax : 2532043 Message Government of Maharashtra has adopted the Blue Revolution policy of GOI. The Key objective of Blue revolution is to achieve an additional production of 5 million tonnes of fish production by the end of 2020, by enhancing the fish production from the fresh waters. This will call for major technological interventions, innovation and out of box thinking. On the other hand, objective of doubling the income of farmers and people living in rural areas, upto 2022 has also been committed by central and state government which requires intensification of efforts of developing agriculture allied sectors including fresh water aquaculture and pond fisheries. Vidarbha, though a land locked region, has got a huge potential of freshwater fisheries with abundant water bodies, assured rainfall and presence of large population of traditional fishermen. Utilizing the untapped potential of any region is an important step towards achieving economic and human development. It has been a consistent effort of the Vidarbha Development Board to strive for identification of such untapped potential in the region and to come up with an action plan for its proper utilization and in the process create employment and livelihood opportunities within the region. The Action Plan for Development of Fisheries and Aquaculture in Vidarbha, 2017 is a welcome step not only as an evaluation study of the status of fisheries in the region but also as a clearly drawn actionable and pragmatic ready reckoner for the department of fisheries and other implementing agencies to work for the betterment of fishermen and farmers by providing them productive livelihood opportunity. I congratulate the College of Fishery Science, Maharashtra Animal & Fishery Sciences University, Nagpur for the sincere efforts that they have put in to bring out this Action Plan. Another outcome of this timely completed report is to demonstrate that the desired results can be achieved with proper convergence and symphony of multiple departments of the Government. I trust that this report will serve as a guiding light in the process of development of inland fisheries not only in the region of Vidarbha but the entire state. (Anoop Kumar, IAS) Chairman, Vidarbha Development Board Divisional Commissioner, Nagpur Division and Vice-Chancellor, Maharashtra Animal & Fishery Sciences University, Nagpur Vidarbha Development Board, Nagpur Shradhhanand peth, South Ambazari road, Near blind relief school, Nagpur Ph no. 0712/2222123,2222271; Fax No.0712/2222493 E-mail- [email protected]; website- www.vsdb.in Message Vidarbha Development Board, Nagpur plays a major role in conducting studies of various development issues of Vidarbha region. One of the prime and most valuable objectives and functions of the Board is to assess the social and economic capacity of the region on the basis of available natural resources, infrastructure along with needs and opportunities prevailing in the region. It has been observed that even though, the region accounts for a very high quantum of natural water bodies in general and Ex Malguzari Lakes in particular, yet the development of fisheries has not occurred to its full potential. In view of the present status of fisheries in the region, the Board approved the proposal for “Action Plan for Development of Fisheries and Aquaculture in Vidarbha” submitted by MAFSU, Nagpur. It is my immense pleasure to submit the Action Plan which will work as guiding map for the Department of Fisheries. All efforts are made to make the report comprehensive and implementable. Meetings and discussions with various agencies, stakeholders including cooperative societies and fish market agents were held for having the realistic solutions to overcome the problems. During the course of study, MAFSU team visited various lakes, tanks, fish seed production and rearing centers throughout the region on sample basis and officials of fisheries co-operative societies, fishermen and traders etc. This study proved beneficial to identify backward and forward linkages which in turn would be helpful for planning and Development of Fisheries and Aquaculture in Vidarbha Region. The study has revealed the prospect of development of freshwater aquaculture and increasing the level of fish production in Vidarbha using scientific and economically viable technologies in the available water resource. It has also mentioned the potential business models to be espoused for bringing livelihood security, entrepreneurship development and providing alternate source of income for the marginal fish farmers. To conclude, I express my gratitude to Hon’ble Chairman, Vidarbha Development Board, Nagpur and Divisional Commissioner, Nagpur, Dr. Kapil Chandrayan, Expert Member-VDB for their valuable inputs and suggestions. Finally, I take this opportunity to thank the Vice Chancellor, MAFSU, Nagpur and the whole team for making the report worthy. Dr. Nirupama Dange, IAS Additional Commissioner and Member Secretary, Vidarbha Development Board, Nagpur Vidarbha Development Board, Nagpur Shradhhanand peth, South Ambazari road, Near blind relief school, Nagpur Ph no. / , ; Fax No. / 0712 2222123 2222271 0712 2222493 E-mail- vsdb @yahoo.co.in; website- www.vsdb.in 1994 Message It gives a great sense of satisfaction and pleasure to read the Action Plan for Development of Fisheries and Aquaculture in Vidarbha. Inland fisheries development in Vidarbha region has a huge potential in terms of provision of productive employment and livelihood opportunities as well as in bringing about a positive change in the economic scenario of the region. The sector warrants a planned and systematic intervention from the state since long and I am sure that this report will play a pivotal role in designing and execution of such an intervention. As a coordinator my major role was to ensure coordination between the Vidarbha Development Board’s objective behind having such a study and the study team of College of Fishery Science, MAFSU’s efforts in completing the report in time. As a result there were multiple interactions held with the research team and many more rounds of revision of methodologies and draft reports. I must put on record that the process of preparation of this action plan was as satisfying as the quality of this report. The process of preparation was inclusive and led to increased understanding of the varied dimensions of the various issues pertaining to the topic. It is also important to note that it is for the first time that we have tried to evaluate the performance of the fishing co-operative societies in the most scientific manner. I am sure that the various departments and offices concerned with the development of fisheries will take due cognizance of this report and work in synchronization to achieve the desired development of the sector in the Vidarbha region. The report is a result of the vision of Hon’ble Shri. Anoop Kumar, IAS, Chairman Vidarbha Development Board, Nagpur who has been the driving force behind the sustained efforts towards development of inland fisheries in Vidarbha. The constant support of Dr. Nirupama Dange, Member Secretary, VDB provides an enabling environment for researchers to focus on the research activities. I must acknowledge the sincere efforts of Principal Investigator Shri. Sachin Belsare, Dr. Prashant Telvekar, Dr. Satyajit Belsare, Shri. Shamkant Shelke, Dr. J. G. K. Pathan, Shri. Rajiv Rathod, Shri. Sagar Joshi, Shri. Shailendra Relekar, Shri. Umesh Suryawanshi and Shri. Swapnil Ghatge. This work would not have been completed in time without their untiring efforts. Dr. Kapil D. Chandrayan Coordinator and Expert Member, Vidarbha Development Board MAHARASHTRA ANIMAL AND FISHERY SCIENCES UNIVERSITY, NAGPUR COLLEGE OF FISHERY SCIENCE HAJARIPAHAD ROAD, SEMINARY HILLS, NAGPUR-440 006 (M.S.), INDIA Dr. P.T. Jadhao Phone/Fax No. – 0712- 2055008 M.V.Sc., Ph.D. Email: [email protected] Dean (Fish) & Associate Dean