Sri Vijaya Puram, Apr 01: Mr. S U Maheswar Rao, the first Islander Governing body member of NFDB, Hyderabad represented A&N Island Fishermen community since 31st March, 2022 completed his tenure successfully with milestones of achievements in the Fisheries and Aquaculture sector of A&N Islands. Being the youngest active member of NFDB, he was the strong voice among the representatives across the country and flagged long pending demands of A&N Islands in the Governing Body Meetings held at various places in the last three years. The continuous pursuance of Mr. Rao has immensely impacted the development of various infrastructures including cold chain & fish transport facilities and improvement of welfare measures of Fishermen like Insurance schemes (GAIS and Fishing Boat insurance) under PMMSY. 14, 000 Fishermen and 3000 fishing boats are covered under the insurance scheme is an all-time record to the Islands. The commencement of commercial shrimp farming in the Islands under PMMSY was first of its kind activity of the Department of Fisheries during his tenure as Governing body of NFDB, Hyderabad. In the role as a fishermen’s representative, Mr. Rao could be actively involved in coverage of various components under PMMSY and 182 Islanders purchased/ created various Fisheries and Aquaculture assets at various locations. The expenditure of A&N Islands under PMMSY is approx. 7.00 Cr. under the central sector and centrally sponsored components.
He was instrumental in submitting proposals during the Governing Body Meeting held on 26.12.2023 at Visakhapatnam, AP for projecting the importance of Tuna potential of A&N waters to augment fish production by introduction of Deep-Sea Fishing vessels. As a result of this, the Govt. of India notified Tuna Cluster development in A&N Islands on 06.11.2024 and this move is expected to be a game changer in the deep-sea sector of A&N Islands. The largest and grand ever Fisheries Investor meet event held at Swaraj Dweep A&N Islands on 14.11.2024 in participation of Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Govt. of India during his tenure helps the mainland investors to explore the Fisheries potential of A&N Islands. The sanction of Rs. 840 Lakh by NFDB, Hyderabad to procure 07 Deep Sea Fishing vessels in A&N Islands was the commitment given by Mr. Rao to the Islanders for upliftment of traditional fishermen into the commercial fishing sector. The sanction of Rs. 4.9 Cr. under PMMSY to establish a modern fish market at Bathu Basti in response to his demand during the last Governing Body Meeting held on 08.03.2025 at Hyderabad, Telangana was the prominent achievement since it is expected to transform the local fish trade of Bathu Basti area. The implementation of Climate resilient fishing village scheme under PMMSY in selected 03 villages (Junglighat, Hope Town and Durgapur) of A&N Islands will be a game changer for the fishermen communities of South Andaman and N&M Andaman.
As the member of Governing Body Member, NFDB, Hyderabad, Mr. Rao could successfully coordinate approximately 20 Nos. of various NFDB sponsored training and extension programmes of various duration with the help of Department of Fisheries and Fishermen community. The extensive involvement of various ICAR/Ministry institutes of mainland India during these programmes helps the Fishers of A&N Islands for upskilling and adoption of innovative technology in Fisheries and Aquaculture. The figure of approx. 800 Nos. of Fishermen, Fish farmers and other stakeholders of A&N Islands in training is an all-time record. As an outcome these programmes, skilled man power has been generated in fisheries and aquaculture sectors and thereby the Fishermen/fish farmers of A&N Islands could adopt various components of Marine Fisheries Development, Mariculture, Brackish water Aquaculture and Freshwater aquaculture under PMMSY.
On completion of tenure, Mr. S U Maheswar Rao informed that the projects sanctioned during his tenure needs further continues intervention of public representatives for its successful grounding and he assured his service in future course of time for the improvement of life of fishermen community in coordination with Department of Fisheries, A&N Administration and Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Govt. of India. He also extended acknowledgement to A&N Administration, NFDB, Hyderabad and Fishermen Association/Cooperative Societies for their continuous support during the last 03 years.
