Documenting and Analyzing Targeted Interventions of State Fishery Department of Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract

Aims: Though Andhra Pradesh acts as an aquaculture hub, several targeted interventions were implemented by the State Fishery Department of Andhra Pradesh for the benefit of farmers. But lack of awareness among the fish farmers about these interventions leads to severe economic loss. Hence, this study aims to document and describe the interventions implemented by the Andhra Pradesh Fisheries Department which helps the fish farmers to make well-informed decisions. Study Design: Descriptive study design was used to describe the purpose of documented interventions Place and Duration of Study: Interventions provided by State Fishery Department of Andhra Pradesh for fish farmers were documented from Fish Development Officers during March 2023. Methodology: The study collects data from various sources, including fish development officers, government reports, and other publications to document the interventions provided by Fisheries department of Andhra Pradesh. Focus Group Discussion was conducted with the fish development officers to critically analyze these interventions. Results: The interventions can be categorized into five broad categories; which were, fisheries inputs, infrastructure, capacity-building programs, financial assistance, and others/ miscellaneous. Under fisheries inputs; fish seed, fish feed and aerators were given. Infrastructural interventions such as feed analysis, water analysis, soil analysis, microbial analysis, PCR, fish hatchery units, fish processing units, mobile aqua labs, fish kiosks, Fish Andhra Fit Andhra, Traditional fish farming implements were provided. Simultaneously, capacity building programmes like training, demonstration, workshops, FFPO, extensive awareness programmes, training for other interns and other professionals were also conducted. Financial assistance was provided through KCC, YSR pension kanuka scheme, Electricity subsidy, Matya Kara Barosa and other facilities like licensing, assistance to new fish farmers were also carried out. Conclusion: Interventions of State Fisheries department was classified into five categories for better understanding and to make effective use of the interventions by the farmers. Lack of awareness about the interventions lead to severe economic loss among fish farmers. Hence, this study aims to address the information gap and empower the stakeholder through proper documentation of fisheries interventions by State Government which enables the fish farmers to make well-informed decisions.