GOVERNMENT OF KERALA STATE PLANNING BOARD THIRTEENTH FIVE-YEAR PLAN 2017-2022 WORKING GROUP ON FISHERIES REPORT AGRICULTURE DIVISION THIRUVANANTHAPURAM MARCH 2017 PREFACE In Kerala, the process of a Five-Year Plan is an exercise in people’s participation. At the end of September 2016, the Kerala State Planning Board began an effort to conduct the widest possible consultations before formulating the Plan. The Planning Board formed 43 Working Groups, with a total of more than 700 members – scholars, administrators, social and political activists and other experts. Although the Reports do not represent the official position of the Government of Kerala, their content will help in the formulation of the Thirteenth Five-Year Plan document. This document is the report of the Working Group on Fisheries. The Chairpersons of the Working Group were Shri P James Varghese IAS and Dr C Mohanakumaran Nair. The Member of the Planning Board who coordinated the activities of the Working Group was Professor R Ramakumar. The concerned Chief of Division was Dr P Rajasekharan. Member Secretary CONTENTS Chapter 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 1 Chapter 2 Review of 12th Five-Year Plan Schemes ............................................................................................... 4 Overview of Finances ............................................................................................................................................. 4 Central Assistance under CSS Schemes and NCDC ......................................................................................... 7 Analysis of Major schemes .................................................................................................................................... 8 Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture ....................................................................................................................... 10 Value Addition and Marketing ............................................................................................................................ 14 Social Security Schemes ........................................................................................................................................ 15 Coastal Infrastructure Development .................................................................................................................. 16 Socio-Economic Development of Fisherfolk................................................................................................... 21 Governance and Service Delivery ...................................................................................................................... 23 Rural Infrastructure Development Fund ........................................................................................................... 24 Fishing Harbours and Management ................................................................................................................... 27 Kerala University of Fisheries & Ocean Studies .............................................................................................. 29 Physical Achievements ......................................................................................................................................... 29 Critical Gaps Identified in Implementation of Schemes ................................................................................ 30 Chapter 3 Approach for 13 th Five Year Plan ...................................................................................................... 31 Approach for Nutritional Security through the Enhancement of Fish Production ................................... 31 Approach for Reduction of Poverty among the Fisherfolk ........................................................................... 46 Approach for Good Governance ....................................................................................................................... 54 Chapter4 Proposals for 13th five year plan ........................................................................................................... 59 Marine Sector ......................................................................................................................................................... 59 Aquaculture ............................................................................................................................................................ 60 Management of Post-harvest Activities ............................................................................................................. 61 Development of Coastal Area ............................................................................................................................. 62 Development of Fisherfolk ................................................................................................................................. 63 Extension, Training and Service Delivery ......................................................................................................... 64 Chapter 5 Financial Requirement for 13th Five-Year Plan Period .................................................................... 66 Chapter 6 Output/ Outcome .................................................................................................................................. 69 Annexure 1 .................................................................................................................................................................. 71 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 1. Kerala has a population of 33.4 million people as per Census 2011. The decadal growth rate of population is 4.9%, when compared to Census 2001. To meet the food requirements of this increasing population, we need to enhance our food production. Certainly, Fisheries sector has an important role to play and the production from the sector need to be increased to address the food and nutritional security issues of the state. Conventionally the production could be increased by expanding the area under farming. But in the peculiar land holding situation of the state, the scope for increasing the farming area is very difficult. Adoption of new techniques for increasing productivity of the existing resources could be the main alternative to meet the increasing demand. Worldwide trend shows that Capture fisheries is stagnating over the past few years (93.4 million metric tonnes in 2014, FAO), which is true in the case of Kerala also. Aquaculture, which is recognized as the fastest growing food production sector, only could be relied on for increasing the fish production. Aquaculture continues to strengthen its role in contributing to food security and poverty alleviation in many developing countries including India. However, when the prevailing conditions in Kerala are considered, it is necessary to increase production efficiency in both capture and culture fisheries. At the same time the steps for increasing production should not cause damage to our natural resources. Therefore, it is important that we increase food production without damaging the environment and without disturbing the ecological balance. Hence, there is need for sustainable approaches in fish production. 2. Traditionally, Kerala is a marine fish producing and consuming state, though aquaculture activities are gaining momentum during the last few decades. Kerala State by virtue of its geographical setting with rich and varied aquatic resources in the form of extensive 39,139 sq km continental shelf area, 2,18,536 ha EEZ, 53 interconnected backwaters (Kayals), 44 rivers, 47 reservoirs, numerous wetlands and a 590 KM long coastline, has a strong resource base for fisheries development. Consequently fisheries is a major sector in Kerala’s economy supporting the livelihood of 13 lakh fisherfolk, who accounts for more than 3.89% of State’s population. 3. Mechanization of fishing and modernization of processing techniques helped the emergence of fisheries sector as a growing export oriented industry. Kerala is an important contributor to the marine product exports market of India with shrimps contributing the major share. In 2015-16, the state exported over 1,49,138 metric tonnes of marine products to some 90 countries, earning over Rs 4644.42 Crores. Fisheries sector contributes Rs 7086.32 Crores to State GDP. It is 1.36% of State GDP (Constant price) and 11.49% of the primary sector (Agriculture and allied activities). 4. Fish as a nutrient rich food offers the state one of the easiest and fastest way to address malnutrition and food security. Fish resources constitute a potential source of animal food and are the cheapest source of quality protein. Fish being rich in proteins, PUFA, vitamins and minerals is a valuable nutrient rich food. It forms an important item in the diet of people over considerable areas in the state. It is estimated that 85% of the population of the state are fish eating and 70 to 80% of the animal protein requirements of the people are met by fish alone. The per capita consumption of fish in the State has increased from 18.71 kg (2000) to 24.85 kg (2015) against the national average of 3.5 kg. 5. Fishing is one of the major industries in maritime districts of Kerala. The state has a fishermen population of 10.24 lakh who resides in 222 marine fishing villages and 113 inland fishing villages. Out of this, 1.84 lakh fishermen are actively