Bhubaneswar: Odisha Government and United Nations World Food Program (WFP) in India today launched a mobile application, “Secure Fishing App” in the State Capital.
Department of Fisheries and Animal Resources Development (DoFARD) with the support of WFP have taken up this initiative empower the fisher folks by providing real-time information, insights, and analytics that directly contribute to their livelihood thus contributing to the state government’s vision.
Ranendra Pratap Swain, Minister, Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment, Fisheries & Animal Resources Development, Secretary, Fisheries & Animal Resources Development, Suresh Kumar Vashishth graced the occasion.
The Secure Fishing application is focused on the coastal fishing communities for improving their safety, resilience and daily catch as they are among the most vulnerable groups. The application will also be very useful for the officials from the fisheries department.” said the Minister.
It is a fact that climate variability is adding further uncertainties to the nutritional and food security challenges for fisher folks. This is a strategic partnership that will directly contribute to strengthening resilience using knowledge and technology while securing a livelihood,” said Bishow Parajuli, Representative and Country Director for WFP in India.
“Secure Fishing” application is being implemented as a pilot in Paradeep and will subsequently be extended to the marine fishers in the State. The context-specific functionality of the application will help the fisherfolk save their life and assets and improve their livelihoods,” said Mr. Vashishth, Secretary, Fisheries & ARD.
Secure Fishing is a dynamic application for the fishing community and a web-based dashboard for use by Government officials to track fishery sector activities. It intends to meet through informed decisions and the holistic needs of marine fishers, said Himanshu Sekhar Bal, WFP State Representative Odisha
The app provides fishers with access to critical and near real-time tailored climate and ocean state information services. This reduces fishers’ vulnerabilities, increases their income and helps to achieve their food security. Fisheries and aquaculture play a major role in multiplying farmers’ incomes, enhancing livelihoods, creating gainful employment, providing nutritional security and contributing to export earnings in Odisha, said Mr.Bal.
The government of Odisha has kept a high priority on the fisheries sector and placed the fisheries & aquaculture sector as one of the growth propellers for over 15.89 Lakh fishermen including farmers, women SHGs, youths and entrepreneurs.
During the launch Smruti Ranjan Pradhan, Director, Fisheries, Yedula Vijaya, Director, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services, Odisha, officials from the Department, Directorates, the District Fisheries Officers, and officials from WFP were also present.
