During a virtual summit, Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, the Secretary of the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying (MoFAH&D), played a crucial role in fuelling innovation among stakeholders and startups within the fisheries sector. The assembly, which included triumphant participants of the Fisheries Startup Grand Challenge and other fisheries startups, focused on evaluating progress, addressing concerns, and exploring avenues for sustained support.
The Fisheries Startup Grand Challenge, a collaborative venture with the Startup India hub and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), sought to pinpoint and commend startups making substantial contributions to the fisheries ecosystem. Following an intense evaluation process, twelve startups emerged as winners from a pool of 121 applicants, addressing four identified problem statements.
Secretary Abhilaksh Likhi highlighted diverse initiatives during the meeting, showcasing the Department of Fisheries’ commitment to nurturing the startup ecosystem in the fisheries and aquaculture sector. Key initiatives, such as the celebration of National Fish Farmers Day and the successful inaugural Global Fisheries Conference in 2023, were emphasized. The Secretary reiterated the continuous support provided to foster fisheries startups.
Joint Secretary (Inland Fisheries) Sagar Mehra underscored the pivotal role of startups in fostering innovation within the fisheries and aquaculture sector. Joint Secretary (Marine Fisheries) Neetu Kumari Prasad identified key areas where startups could make substantial interventions, such as reducing feed costs, ensuring the availability of quality seed, developing e-commerce platforms, and introducing technology interventions in Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS).
The meeting witnessed active participation from representatives and entrepreneurs, expressing gratitude to the Department of Fisheries for providing platforms to showcase innovations and connect with stakeholders. Startups articulated their needs, including marketing support, technology/product validation from ICAR institutes, access to sectoral data trends, collaboration with states for linkages, and financial support for pilot and expansion through various Department of Fisheries schemes.
Looking towards the future, the meeting discussed new initiatives, including artificial reef systems, blue credits, and a platform-of-platforms for the fisheries sector. These initiatives aim to address challenges and leverage opportunities within the industry.
Dr. L. Narasimha Murthy, Chief Executive I/c & Senior Executive Director of NFDB, summarized the focus areas of discussion and affirmed the Department of Fisheries’ dedication to supporting startups. The commitment includes organizing frequent dialogues with startups and stakeholders to facilitate collaborations, both government-to-business (G2B) and business-to-business (B2B).
