-Abhilakchh Likhi, IAS
The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) aims at technology infusion along the value chains for enhancing fish/aquaculture production, productivity and its quality. The scheme has enabled nurturing of an ecosystem of innovations by incubating over ninety start-ups. These entities are making interventions through precision aquafarming using Internet of Things (IOT)/Machine Learning (ML)/Artificial Intelligence (AI). The areas of intervention include water quality, feed, real time weather inputs, fish growth, disease etc.
‘NatureDots’ is a start-up that is using AI to empower small and marginal fish farmers about healthy and climate resilient water ecosystems. It provides an end-to-end solution to de-risk fish farmers through a web and mobile interface available in 13 languages. Similarly, ‘Numer 8 Analytics’ provides a range of solutions that include real time monitoring of water quality, fish health and automated feed. ‘Aqua Doctor Solutions,’ provides services, amongst others, for fish disease laboratory testing.
Other fisheries start-ups, in addition, are addressing issues related to post harvest management, marketing and access to finance. Several other fisheries startups are also exploring interventions in areas of alternate livelihoods such as ornamental, pearl and seaweed cultivation. ‘Motherhood Foods’ promotes eco-friendly movable kiosks (called Matsya Vaahini) to bolster domestic consumption of fisheries products and is equipped with modern yet low-cost refrigeration materials. ‘Zaara Biotech’, ‘Puakai Agriaqua’ and ‘Rafteck Solutions’ are involved in emerging areas of seaweed based products processing. ‘Fish Wheel’ provides a platform for fish farmers and fishers to directly connect with buyers reducing the time and costs associated with intermediaries ‘Aquaconnect’, additionally, provides a range of services to fish farmers including providing access to markets, training, and more importantly, finance.
Experts opine that such entrepreneurial spirit needs to be supported further through national policy convergences and capacity building. A Fisheries Startup Grand Challenge held in the recent past has enabled awareness generation amongst young entrepreneurs through a public-private partnership approach towards incubation. Another initiative by the Government of India has been to provide access to small and marginal aquaculture entrepreneurs via the e-platform of Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). Consistent efforts are also being made by organizations such as the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) to connect fisheries start- ups to Fish Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs), Fisheries cooperatives, feed manufacturers and agro/food processing companies. Infact, there is a dire need for premier fisheries R&D institutions of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to extensively adopt emerging fisheries start- ups for product testing and commercial pilots.
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