Bhubaneswar: Noting that Odisha is now at 4th position in the country in fish production, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday underlined the need to work in a mission mode to make the state number one fish producer.
The Chief Minister was addressing 115 newly recruited Assistant Fisheries Officers who joined the State Fisheries & Animal Resources Development department. An orientation programme was held for them at the convention centre in Lok Seva Bhawan.
Speaking to the newly recruited officers on virtual platform, Navven said that Assistant Fisheries Officers should act as facilitators and encourage people to take up fisheries and help improve their income.
The CM called upon the officers to work in missio mode to help the state catapult to become number one state in fish production.
On the 5T initiative, he said the mandate of 5T provides for transformational changes in the state following the elements of Teamwork, Technology, transparency and time. It allows you to work smart by using technology to reach out to people faster, and provide better solutions in a transparent manner.
He hoped the new officers will work with all the sincerity by following the principles of 5T and make endeavor to transform in the lives of fish farmers.
Speaking on the growth of fisheries sector in the state, he said that aquaculture is a leading sector in upgrading the socio-economic life of people in rural areas by contributing to food and nutritional security, enhanced income, and livelihood opportunities.
During the last two decades, there has been substantial growth in fisheries sector in Odisha. Fish production in the state has increased around four-fold over the last two decades and reached about 10 lakh metric tons in last financial year. The state has seen 12 fold increase in seafood export in the same time, he added.
