Latest news with #AbhilakshLikhi
Business Mayor
25-05-2025
- Business
- Business Mayor
‘Drone technology to be used for transportation of live fish'
new delhi: The Secretary of the Department of Fisheries in the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Abhilaksh Likhi, on Friday said that the department is looking at drone technology to transport live fish in a boost for fisheries sector. Likhi made the comments during the 'Fisheries Secretaries Conference 2025' and National Workshop on Harnessing Technology and Innovation in Aquaculture here to review the progress of Pradhan Mantri Matasya Sampada Yojna, fisheries and aquaculture infrastructure development fund and implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana. Senior officers from the State Fisheries Departments, Reserve Bank of India, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, Open Network for Digital Commerce, Small Farmers' Agri-Business Consortium, National Cooperative Development Corporation and ICAR also participated in the meeting. In the address, Likhi urged states to strengthen collaborative efforts aimed at upscaling the fisheries sector through innovation, infrastructure and institutional synergy. Emphasis was laid on the extensive use of satellite technology to enhance fisher safety and operational efficiency covering aspects such as resource mapping, biometric identification, and facial recognition. Likhi highlighted a pilot project on drone technology for live fish transport, aiming to develop a 70 kg payload drone capable of carrying live fish in difficult terrains from aggregator to distribution point. READ SOURCE
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Fisherfolk urge Centre to end insurance woes
Panaji: Restrictions on the length of fishing trawlers, rising feed costs, and limited availability of seedlings and high-quality fish seeds within Goa are some of the challenges that the state's fisherfolk face. Goan fisherfolk, including fish farmers, have asked the Union ministry of fisheries, animal husbandry and dairying to address these concerns. They also emphasised the need for improved infrastructure and greater financial support in the sector. The fisherfolk said that existing state regulations regarding the length of fishing vessels limit Goan trawlers from sailing out into deeper waters to fish. Meanwhile, fish farmers said that insurance companies refuse to cover disease-related losses suffered by prawn hatcheries, fish farms, and bio-floc units. 'At present, no insurance coverage is available to cover fishery crops, and due to that, banks are very reluctant to provide loans to the poor fisherfolk without any collateral,' said a statement from the fisheries department. The statement added, 'A robust effort is being initiated to start the insurance coverage for fisheries under the new flagship sub-scheme, namely, Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana.' The fisherfolk brought up their concerns during a virtual meeting with Abhilaksh Likhi, the fisheries secretary with the Centre's department of fisheries. The core objective of the session was to understand grassroots challenges, resolve existing issues, and formulate future govt policies. During the meeting, beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana said that the scheme supported the growth of ornamental fisheries, sea cage culture, and prawn farming. Officials assured the fisherfolk that recurrent issues with the banks were noted, and the ministry of fisheries is trying to sort them out with the cooperation of the finance ministry and bankers.
Hans India
24-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Drones to soon transport fish in difficult terrains: Centre
New Delhi: Drones will soon transport fish in difficult terrains, from aggregator to distribution point, the government has informed. A pilot project on drone technology for live fish transport is currently ongoing, aiming to develop a 70-kg payload drone capable of carrying live fish in difficult terrains, according to Dr Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary (Fisheries), the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. At an event here, Dr Likhi urged states to strengthen collaborative efforts aimed at upscaling the fisheries sector through innovation, infrastructure, and institutional synergy. Emphasis was laid on the extensive use of satellite technology to enhance fisher safety and operational efficiency covering aspects such as resource mapping, biometric identification, and facial recognition. The development of smart, integrated fishing harbours and modern fish markets aligned with green and blue sustainability principles was identified as a key future priority. He also called for strengthening of drone initiative through standard operating procedures (SOPs) and a supportive subsidy structure. The promotion of advanced fisheries technologies, with support from ICAR institutes, was encouraged alongside a strong focus on processing, marketing, and packaging, particularly through cluster development and a thriving startup ecosystem. Special emphasis was placed on leveraging 'Amrit Sarovars' for fisheries promotion, seeking active support from the states. The experts also called for the promotion of ornamental fisheries, and the development of seaweed farming and artificial reefs, encouraging private sector participation in these emerging areas. Sagar Mehra, Joint Secretary (Inland), DoF highlighted key issues related to inland fisheries in the Inland States and Union Territories, urging states to step up mobilisation of applications for registration on the National Fisheries Development Portal (NFDP) and to facilitate increased access to benefits under various central sector schemes. Neetu Kumari Prasad, Joint Secretary (Marine), DoF emphasised the importance of developing robust infrastructure, smart harbours, and species diversification. The meeting served as a vital step towards aligning efforts across multiple stakeholders to ensure the effective implementation of the PM-MKSSY and various schemes and initiatives of the department by fostering collaboration, enhancing capacity-building initiatives, and bridging communication gaps between stakeholders.
