How Will GST Reforms Enhance Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying Sectors?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Next-generation GST reforms are aimed at enhancing competitiveness in fisheries.
- Call for collaboration among stakeholders to boost fish productivity.
- Government's commitment to structural transformation in the fisheries sector.
- Unlocking untapped export potential is essential for growth.
- Over 8 crore livelihoods are supported by the fisheries sector.
New Delhi, Sep 6 (NationPress) The Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, Rajiv Ranjan Singh, expressed his support for the newly introduced next-generation GST reforms under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. He stated that this initiative will significantly enhance the competitiveness of the Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying sectors.
During a meeting focused on social welfare and security in the fisheries domain, the Minister called on stakeholders to unite in efforts to boost fish productivity from 5 tons per hectare to 7 tons per hectare in India, ensuring global competitiveness.
He emphasized the necessity of unlocking the untapped export potential of inland states to broaden and fortify India’s seafood export portfolio.
Singh noted that the fisheries sector directly and indirectly sustains over 8 crore livelihoods across the nation.
He reaffirmed the Government's dedication to the sector's structural transformation, mentioning that legislative, policy, institutional, and process reforms (IGoM) have been established with a clear mandate to create a comprehensive roadmap based on four fundamental pillars: legislative, policy, institutional, and process reforms.
These pillars, he stressed, will facilitate the development of a resilient, inclusive, and export-oriented fisheries ecosystem.
Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary of the DoF, also discussed the untapped export potential within the fisheries sector and highlighted the need to enhance its productivity.
He encouraged States/UTs, fishermen associations, exporters, and industry bodies to collaborate closely and share actionable insights.
The meeting saw participation from a diverse range of stakeholders, including senior officials from the Department of Fisheries, MoFAHD, States/UTs, NFDB, MPEDA, ICAR institutes, the Coastal Aquaculture Authority, the Fishery Survey of India, DoF field institutes, representatives of fishermen associations, industry bodies (FICCI, CII, ASSOCHAM, PHD Chamber), and officials from various Central Ministries.