Guwahati recently hosted a pivotal discussion between senior officials of the Assam government and a delegation from the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), focusing on strategies to invigorate the state's fisheries sector through cooperative initiatives. The meeting, led by NCDC Regional Director Robert H. Touthang, explored comprehensive approaches to harness Assam's significant fisheries potential.
During the deliberations, the NCDC team presented an overview of its various schemes, developmental interventions, and activities pertinent to Assam. Key state officials, including Additional Chief Secretary (Fisheries) K. C. Samria, Additional Secretary Prashanta Barkakoty, and Director of Fisheries Gauri Shankar Das, participated in the detailed briefing.
A central theme of the discussions revolved around expanding the reach and effectiveness of fisheries cooperatives across Assam. The dialogue emphasized adopting a holistic value chain approach, integrating every stage from production to processing, marketing, and value addition, to ensure sustainable growth and economic upliftment for local communities.
A significant highlight of the meeting was the proposed launch of an ambitious Integrated Fisheries Development Project (IFDP) under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY-II). This project is designed to foster sustainable fisheries development by unifying disparate elements of the sector into a cohesive framework.
The NCDC affirmed its commitment to supporting the state government by providing crucial technical assistance for the preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for this initiative. This collaboration is anticipated to significantly bolster fisheries cooperatives, enhance essential infrastructure, and ultimately create improved livelihood opportunities for numerous stakeholders in Assam's vibrant aquaculture landscape.
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