Margao (Goa)
A major revolution in the seafood industry is set to take place with the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Coop (Switzerland) a supermarket chain with over 2500 stores.
The MoU is expected to be signed on January 28 wherein developing organic seafood supply systems in India will be marketed through their stores. The decision was taken at International Seafood Festival held at Margao today.
With the theme Safe & Sustainable Seafood from India, around 3,000 delegates and more than 2,000 visitors from India and countries like US, UK, Spain, Japan, Australia, China, Vietnam, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia and the Middle East are participating at this event. The 300-odd stalls spread over 7,000 sqm is showcasing a wide range of products, automation technologies, machinery and allied sector in the export processing sector.
The delegates include exporters, machinery suppliers, importers, other service providers, researchers, policy makers among others. The industry leaders and experts will also deliberate on policies, market trends, technology and roadmaps to achieving an export target of US$ 10 billion by 2022 during the three day even that concludes on Monday.
The internationally acclaimed experts from India and abroad will address technical sessions on topics of current interest such as GST and its implications for Seafood Sector, Food Safety requirements in major markets, e-commerce, Seafood Certification, and price influencing factors in the demand and supply of seafood. A separate session on Indian – EU Shrimp Dialogue in association with the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands is also a part of the Show.
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, on inaugurating the 21st edition of India International Seafood Show (IISS) organized by MPEDA and Seafood Exporters Association of India, requested organizers to brief and explain to the fishing community of the State on how they too can contribute in seafood export business.
“Over exploitation in the area at the breeding place is the major concern and this area needs to be carefully monitored,” he urged adding, “In the State LED fishing has been completely banned so that over exploitation does not take place. Moreover, use of chemical fertilizers seeps into the sea increasing nitrogen level into the sea water that further creates problem for the healthy fish growth. All these areas of concern need to be addressed so that India can become power house of fish export.”
Agriculture Minister Vijai Sardesai, who was also present at the event, said that government is endeavouring to provide subsidized fish to the Goans. “Government is working towards integrated farming which will include agriculture, animal husbandry and fisheries together which will minimize wastage and boost the farmer’s income he said. Today 70 percent of the seafood exports are aquaculture based and it is the major challenge. Goa is a small State but a progressive State and we take all the measures which a progressive State should take,” he added.
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