Composition and growth of fisheries sector in India: An analysis

Abstract

The paper analyses the growth of fishery sector in India during 2004-05 to 2014-15 and its regional disparity, both in inland and marine fishery sub-sectors. The fishery sector has almost doubled the total value of output to reach Rs.635 billion in 2014-15, at an annual growth rate of 7.3 per cent. This is constituted by annual growth rate of 9.5 per cent in inland fisheries and 4.7 per cent in marine fisheries. This differential growth has led to a change in composition of inland and marine fisheries in total value of output of fisheries, in favour of inland fisheries. In 2004-05, inland fishery accounted for 49 per cent of value of output of fishery sector, which has changed to and 58 per cent by 2014-15. The state-wise analysis indicates that as on 2014-15, Andhra Pradesh accounts for close to 22 per cent of value of output of total fisheries sector, closely followed by Bengal. The major states involved are Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Kerala, Bihar, Assam, and Maharashtra. A notable feature is the spread of fisheries sector to hitherto underdeveloped areas, coupled with a reduction in the share of the major producers. Among the major producers, the share of Andhra Pradesh, West-Bengal, Kerala and Tamil Nadu has reduced over the time. The analysis indicated that the fisheries sector growth is mainly propelled by inland fisheries. High growth of inland fisheries noted in Jharkhand, Haryana, Assam, Kerala and Rajasthan. It could be that there is scope for utilisation of inland water bodies and rivers for further augmentation of fisheries sector. In marine fishery sector, among major producers, the share West Bengal and Kerala has reduced sharply; whereas Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh show a slight decline. The paper calls for indepth study to identify the drivers of fisheries sectors, both in the inland and marine sectors, so as to achieve a sustainable growth.