With the aim of strengthening the direct access to consumer or markets for fishermen and unlocking the potential of digital commerce in the field of Indian Fisheries, the Department of Fisheries (GoI) will be signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). The MoU will be signed in the presence of Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri Parshottam Rupala and Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Dr. L Murugan on 19^th Feb 2024 at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi.

 Secretary Department of Fisheries, Dr Abhilaksh Likhi, Joint Secretary Department of Fisheries, Shri Sagar Mehra, Joint Secretary Department of Fisheries, Smt. Neetu Kumari Prasad,  Managing Director, ONDC, Shri T. Koshy, Vice President, ONDC, Ms Aditi Singh will also be present on the occasion. Around 50 Fish Farmers Producers Organizations (FFPOs) are  expected to join physically with other esteemed dignitaries. The program will take place in a hybrid mode.

The MoU signing is an important event in the fisheries sector as it’s the first time that department is going to enter MoU with ONDC. This essential step will provide a digital platform for fisherfolks, fish farmers producers organization, entrepreneurs, SHGs, fishermen cooperatives and other relevant stakeholders in fisheries sector to access wider markets, expanding their reach and potential customer base etc. The collaboration between Department of Fisheries and ONDC will facilitate the implementation of technology-driven solutions, improve efficiency, collectivisation and competitiveness of the small scale producers and marketers.

The adoption of digital technical solutions will serve various benefits for fisheries industries like enhanced trust, reduced transaction costs, increased market reach, improved transparency, increased competitiveness, innovation, and employment generation etc. in the long term, the ONDC network will facilitate seamless integration for harnessing the benefits of collectivisation between producers, processors, and distributors within the fisheries sector, enabling efficient supply chain management, value chains and market access.

Further, this collaboration will facilitate capacity building and raise awareness through educational workshops for MSMEs, start-ups, SHGs, small & marginal fishermen, FFPOs, fishers, and market participants in the fisheries sector.

Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) is incorporated as Section 8 company, an initiative by DPIIT, Ministry of commerce and industry, aiming at promoting open networks for all aspects of exchange of goods and services over digital or electronic networks. The objective of the program is to offer a platform and empower all stakeholders including fisherfolks, fish farmers producer organization, entrepreneurs from fisheries sector to make informed decisions regarding production, pricing, and distribution strategies. ONDC is a unique platform of e-marketing and will play a significant role in fisheries sector to connect maximum FFPOs and other fishermen cooperatives. Providing a direct channel between producers and consumers, ONDC will support in reducing the reliance on intermediaries, leading to higher profits for fishers and lower prices for consumers. This initiative will also provide scale of economy to the marginal fishermen engaged in scattered business through a common digital platform for their products. 

It has recorded more than 6.3 million transactions in the month of November’23 across 600+ cities. The sellers and service providers are spread across 500+ cities expanding the geographical coverage of the ONDC network. Presently, over 3000 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) have registered to be a part of the ONDC through various network participants. Also, around 400 Self-Help Groups (SHGs), micro-entrepreneurs and social sector enterprises have been onboarded on the network.

Fisheries is emerging as a sunrise sector, with enormous potential for providing equitable and inclusive growth through economic empowerment to maximise the sector’s positive impact. The Government of India is always at the fore front in transforming the fisheries sector in a holistic way and bringing about an economic upturn and prosperity through the schemes like Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), Fisheries and Aquaculture Development Fund   etc. It has demonstrated an outstanding average annual growth of 10.87% since 2014-15. This growth is a demonstration of solidarity of fishers, 2000+ Fish Farmers Producers Organizations (FFPOs), co-operatives and other stakeholders spread across the length & breadth of our nation. As the sector progressively grows, it is essential that apart from the infrastructural growth focused programs and initiatives are taken for the welfare of the stakeholders across fishers’ value chain, particularly the FFPOs that stand as a beacon of resilience and growth.

Department of Fisheries officials, fish farmer producer organizations, entrepreneurs, fishermen cooperatives and other relevant stakeholders are expected to participate in the event.

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