New Delhi: In a significant move towards the digital transformation of the fisheries sector, the Department of Fisheries has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). The ceremony, held in the presence of Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying Parshottam Rupala, marked a pivotal step towards leveraging digital platforms for empowering stakeholders in the fisheries sector.
The primary objective of this collaboration is to establish a robust digital platform, facilitated by ONDC, to empower various stakeholders, including traditional fishermen, fish farmers, producer organizations, and entrepreneurs in the fisheries sector. The platform aims to facilitate seamless buying and selling of products through an e-marketplace, fostering structured connections among fishermen, fish farmers, Fish Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs), self-help groups, and other cooperatives.
During the MoU signing ceremony, Union Minister Parshottam Rupala interacted with representatives of FFPOs who shared their experiences before and after joining the ONDC platform. The discussions highlighted success stories, such as the development of live fish transport units, demonstrating the positive impact of the initiative.
Emphasizing the need for automation in the fisheries value chain, Rupala conveyed that the collaboration with ONDC would address challenges and unlock the potential of digital commerce in the Indian fisheries sector. The collaboration is expected to bring benefits like reduced transaction costs, increased market reach, enhanced transparency, heightened competition, innovation, and employment generation.
Dr. L Murugan, Minister of State, highlighted that the collaboration with ONDC would revolutionize the fisheries sector, providing a platform to promote value-added fisheries-related products. This initiative is envisioned to encourage domestic fish consumption and connect traditional fishermen, FFPOs, and stakeholders on a digital platform for buying and selling fish products.
Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi emphasized capacity building, training, and outreach to empower fishermen to utilize the various applications and features of ONDC. The initiative will enable stakeholders to differentiate their products based on quality, certifications, and sustainable practices.
Sagar Mehra, Joint Secretary (Fisheries), shared insights into the collaboration, revealing that the Department of Fisheries has supported the formation of 2195 FFPOs under PMMSY, with around 35 FFPOs already onboarded on the ONDC network across ten states.
T. Koshy, MD of ONDC, briefed about the benefits of ONDC for fishermen, FFPOs, cooperatives, and sellers, emphasizing the platform’s potential to create value-added products tailored to consumers.
The event witnessed the participation of approximately 120 stakeholders, including fisheries officials, fisherfolks, fish farmer producer organizations, and entrepreneurs. Additionally, FFPOs from organizations like SFAC, NAFED, and NCDC were connected through video conferencing.
The collaboration envisions a comprehensive approach to ensure equal access to market opportunities, fostering social inclusion and equitable economic development in the fisheries sector. With ongoing government initiatives like Blue Revolution, Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), and Kisan Credit Card (KCC), this partnership aligns with the government’s commitment to transforming the fisheries sector and promoting economic prosperity.
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