Union Minister (FAHD) Shri Parshottam Rupala along with MoS Dr. L Murugan led the Sagar Parikrama Yatra Phase-X on its fifth day at Chintapalli Village, Pusapatirega Mandal, Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh. Shri Parshottam Rupala interacted with beneficiaries at Chintapalli Village and discussed regarding the Boat Jetty and fish landing center project’s progress.

Union Minister felicitated beneficiaries under PMMSY scheme, distributed FFPO certificates. Beneficiaries were also felicitated with KCC. Further, beneficiaries shared their ground level experiences, highlighted their challenges, and expressed gratitude for the enormous impact that the KCC and PMMSY schemes have made to the lives of fishermen and the fishing community. On the sidelines of the program, Dr. L Murugan attended Viskit Bharat Sankalp Yatra at Cherukupalli Village, Bhogapuram Mandal.

MoS Dr. L Murugan shared his views about improving the quality of life and economic well-being of people in rural areas on creation of livelihood opportunities in fisheries sector. Moving Forward, Sagar Parikrama Phase-X reached Budagatlapalem, Srikakulam District of Andhra Pradesh. Here, where Union Minister interacted with beneficiaries for mobile aqua lab.

In subsequent interactions at Budagatlapalem, fishermen urged Shri Rupala regarding Mini Jetty, requested for subsidies to be provided for boat and net separately. Shri Parshottam Rupala addressed that necessary steps will be taken on the challenges being faced by fishermen. He felicitated beneficiaries with, FFPO certificate, assets (MFRO Units) under PMMSY scheme and KCC for fishers. Union Minister discussed the issues and development opportunities with local people representatives. Various applications have been received from beneficiaries to strengthen the fisheries ecosystem. He also expressed his belief that the PMMSY programme will have a substantial impact on the Indian fisheries sector, with the goal of increasing fish production and productivity using technology and scientific methods of fishing and aquaculture.

Shri G.V.L Narasimha Rao, Member of Rajya Sabha, Shri B. Appala Naidu, Member of Assembly, Nellimarla Assembly Constituency, Ms. Nagalakshmi. S, Collector & District Magistrate, Vizianagaram, Shri K.Mayur Ashok, Joint Collector, AP were also present on the 5th day of Sagar Parikrama. Smt. Neetu Kumari Prasad, Joint Secretary, DoF, introduced Sagar Parikrama, explaining that its goal is to interact with fishermen, hear their difficulties and grievances, witness village level ground realities, and ensure that government’s best practices and initiatives reach the beneficiaries.

Sagar Parikrama Yatra Phase-X was a remarkable success as it continued from 1st January 2024 to 6th January 2024 with an aim to facilitate interaction with fishermen, coastal communities, and stakeholders to disseminate information of various fisheries related schemes and programs being implemented by the Government, highlight the best practices, promote responsible fisheries and demonstrate solidarity with all fisher folks and concerned stakeholders. Yatra covered various coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh such as Nellore, Prakasam, Bapatla, Krishna, West Godavari, Konasema, Kakinada Union Territory of Puducherry, Yanam, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram & Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh and has come to an end today.

Initial four days of Sagar Parikrama Phase-X Yatra was led by Shri Parshottam Rupala along with Dr. L Murugan in the presence of other esteemed public authorities. During the Sagar Parikrama Yatra Phase-X, Union Minister, MoS and other dignitaries interacted with beneficiaries such as fisherwomen group representatives, mechanized and motorized boat owners’ association representatives, aqua farmers, dry fish vendors association representatives, other PMMSY and KCC beneficiaries where, beneficiaries actively participated during the event and shared their success stories.

Beneficiaries were felicitated with sanctions/certificate, assets (sea safety kits, 4-wheeler live fish transport vehicle) under the schemes like PMMSY and KCC for fishers. Union Minister took a review meeting with hatchery operators, feed industry and interacted with beneficiaries such as Aqua-Farmers, Processing Plant Operators, and other stakeholders during the Yatra.

With the completion of the Yatra on its fifth day at Budagatlapalem which holds special place in this incredible journey and reaching the milestone of 100 locations of Sagar Parikrama Yatra, is momentous. Overall, approx. 31,400 beneficiaries such as fishermen, fish farmers, fisher women and other stakeholders contributed and participated in Sagar Parikrama Phase-X from across entire coastal region of Andhra Pradesh. The upcoming Sagar Parikrama stages would motivate and produce an impactful effort to address fishermen’s issues and encourage them to take use of various schemes such as PMMSY and KCC for their betterment.