Gujarat tops in marine fish output

GANDHINAGAR - With a 1,600 km coastline, Gujarat ranks first among the states in marine fish production and exported 1.88 lakh tonnes of marine products worth Rs.1,265 crore in fiscal 2008-09, according to the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).

And Pipavav Port has emerged as a leader for export of marine products from India with a share of 27.18 percent in quantity and 16.36 per cent in value, NABARD said in a report.

The third largest fish producer in the country, Gujarat, however, lags behind in village pond productivity which stands at 463 kg per hectare.

This can easily be raised to at least 3,000 kg per hectare through adoption of scientific farming practices, said the NABARD status paper.

Lack of awareness and extension efforts and social pressure from a predominantly vegetarian local population could be the main reasons for poor productivity from village ponds, it said.