Did the Govt Launch Marine Fisheries Census 2025 in Fully-Digital Mode?
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Synopsis
In a groundbreaking move, the Indian government has transitioned the marine fishing sector to a fully digital format with the launch of the National Marine Fisheries Census 2025. This initiative will enable real-time data collection and enhance the socio-economic understanding of coastal communities.
Key Takeaways
- Transition to Digital: The census marks a significant shift from paper-based methods to digital enumeration.
- Comprehensive Coverage: Approximately 1.2 million fisher households across 5,000 villages will be documented.
- Real-Time Data Collection: The use of mobile applications allows for real-time, accurate data gathering.
- Expanded Scope: A deeper understanding of socio-economic conditions will be captured.
- Government Support: Fishermen and fish farmers are encouraged to register for government benefits.
New Delhi, Oct 31 (NationPress) The Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, George Kurian, officially unveiled the National Marine Fisheries Census (MFC) 2025 in Kochi on Friday, marking a pivotal shift in the marine fishing sector from traditional paper-based methods to a completely digital household enumeration.
During the event, the minister also introduced the VyAS-BHARAT and VyAS-SUTRA mobile applications designed for conducting the census.
The census aims to digitally catalog around 1.2 million fisher households across approximately 5,000 marine villages in 13 coastal states and union territories, including the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep, as stated by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying.
This initiative will involve a comprehensive household-level enumeration of fishers, fishing crafts, gears, and associated infrastructure at over 1,200 landing centres, 50 fishing harbours, jetties, markets, and processing plants utilizing specially designed mobile-based applications.
According to the ministry, the entire enumeration process will be fully digital and paperless, implemented through multilingual Android applications developed by the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute.
The core data collection is scheduled to occur over a period of 45 days, commencing on November 3 and concluding on December 18.
The ministry emphasized that this digital approach facilitates real-time, geo-referenced data collection, which eliminates manual errors and accelerates data processing significantly.
The VyAS-SUTRA application will provide real-time supervision and monitoring of households and enumerators via multi-tier web dashboards, ensuring accountability at all census management levels.
The scope of the MFC-2025 has been broadened considerably to gain a comprehensive understanding of the socio-economic conditions of the coastal population, which will allow for more targeted and effective government interventions, as per the ministry.
At the launch, Kurian encouraged fishermen and fish farmers to register on the NFDP portal to access government benefits.
The MFC-2025 aims to expand data collection to include total family income, homeownership, liabilities, credit sources, insurance status, impacts of the pandemic, and benefits from initiatives like PM-MKSSY.
Point of View
The government not only enhances efficiency but also ensures a more accurate understanding of the socio-economic realities faced by coastal communities. This initiative aligns with the nation's commitment to leveraging technology for better governance, reflecting an authoritative and responsible approach to managing one of India's critical economic sectors.
NationPress
31/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the Marine Fisheries Census 2025?
The Marine Fisheries Census 2025 aims to digitally enumerate approximately 1.2 million fisher households, providing vital data for government interventions and socio-economic understanding.
When will the census data collection take place?
The core data collection for the census will occur over 45 days, from November 3 to December 18.
What technologies are being used for the census?
The census will utilize specially designed multilingual Android applications for data collection, ensuring a fully digital and paperless process.
How many coastal states are involved in the census?
The census will cover 13 coastal states and union territories, including the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.
What type of data will be collected?
Data will include total family income, homeownership, liabilities, credit sources, insurance status, pandemic impacts, and benefits from government programs like PM-MKSSY.
