In a significant development aimed at increasing direct access to consumer markets for fishermen and harnessing the potential of digital commerce in the Indian fisheries sector, the Department of Fisheries (GoI) officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). The momentous occasion took place on February 19, 2024, at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi, 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.
Notable figures including Secretary of the Department of Fisheries, Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Joint Secretary Sagar Mehra, Joint Secretary Smt. Neetu Kumari Prasad, Managing Director of ONDC, Shri T. Koshy, and ONDC Vice President, Ms. Aditi Singh, were present during the signing ceremony. The hybrid-mode program saw the participation of around 50 Fish Farmers Producers Organizations (FFPOs) and other esteemed dignitaries.
This MoU signing marks a historic collaboration between the Department of Fisheries and ONDC, providing a digital platform for fisherfolks, fish farmers, producers’ organizations, entrepreneurs, self-help groups (SHGs), fishermen cooperatives, and other stakeholders in the fisheries sector to access broader markets, expanding their reach and potential customer base. The partnership aims to facilitate the implementation of technology-driven solutions, enhancing efficiency, collectivization, and competitiveness among small-scale producers and marketers.
The adoption of digital technical solutions is expected to bring trust, reduced transaction costs, increased market reach, improved transparency, heightened competitiveness, innovation, and employment generation. In the long term, the ONDC network is anticipated to facilitate seamless integration for harnessing the benefits of collectivization between producers, processors, and distributors within the fisheries sector, enabling efficient supply chain management, value chains, and market access.
Moreover, the collaboration between the Department of Fisheries and ONDC will support capacity building and awareness through educational workshops for MSMEs, start-ups, SHGs, small and marginal fishermen, FFPOs, fishers, and other market participants in the fisheries sector.
ONDC, incorporated as a Section 8 company, is an initiative by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, with the objective of promoting open networks for the exchange of goods and services over digital or electronic networks. This platform empowers stakeholders in the fisheries sector to make informed decisions regarding production, pricing, and distribution strategies. ONDC serves as a unique e-marketing platform and is expected to play a significant role in connecting numerous FFPOs and other fishermen cooperatives, reducing reliance on intermediaries and fostering direct channels between producers and consumers.
As of November 2023, ONDC recorded more than 6.3 million transactions across 600+ cities, with sellers and service providers spread across 500+ cities, showcasing the expanding geographical coverage of the network. Over 3000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and around 400 Self-Help Groups (SHGs), micro-entrepreneurs, and social sector enterprises have registered and joined the ONDC network.
The collaboration comes at a crucial juncture as the fisheries sector emerges as a sunrise industry, offering tremendous potential for equitable and inclusive growth. The Government of India, through initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and the Fisheries and Aquaculture Development Fund, has been actively transforming the sector, demonstrating an outstanding average annual growth of 10.87% since 2014-15. The collaboration with ONDC aligns with the government’s commitment to holistic development and prosperity in the fisheries sector.
The event witnessed the participation of Department of Fisheries officials, fish farmer producer organizations, entrepreneurs, fishermen cooperatives, and other relevant stakeholders, reflecting the collective effort towards the growth and welfare of the fisheries sector.
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