The Department of Fisheries inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) on Monday to enhance digital marketing of aquatic produce like fish. The move was taken to help boost the earnings of small fishermen.
The agreement was signed in New Delhi with Parshottam Rupala, Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, and L Murugan, Minister of State for Fisheries in attendance at the event, reported IANS. Rupala noted that the agreement will allow customers to purchase fish directly from the farmers via the e-market platform and help digitise the fishery industry.
“The domestic consumption of fish will get a boost and small farmers will play a bigger role in the industry. The platform will also better inform the consumers on the varied types of aquatic produce that is available for purchase,” Rupala said.
The official statement informed that the platform will help provide access to wider markets for the entrepreneurs, SHGs, fishermen cooperatives, fish farmers producers organisation, fisherfolks, and other prominent stakeholders in the sector. This will also help increase the reach and possible customer base for the industry, it added.
The statement further informed that this collaboration will help set up technology-driven solutions which will increase the efficiency, collectivisation, and competitiveness of the producers and marketer at the small level.
“ONDC is a unique platform of e-marketing and will play a significant role in the 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,” the ministry said.
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