Blue Revolution [1985–1990]

Blue Revolution refers to the initiative taken by the Government of India between 1985 to 1990 to improve the development of the marine and aquaculture industry. This revolution is also popularly known as the Neel Kranti. Before the Blue Revolution initiative, China owned more than two-thirds of marine production worldwide.

After the launch of this scheme by the Indian Government, our country witnessed fast-paced growth in the marine and aquaculture sectors. Learn more about the Blue Revolution, its history, and its significance here.

What is Blue Revolution?

Blue Revolution, popularly known as Neel Kranti Mission, was a famous initiative launched by Dr. Hiralal Chaudhari and Dr. Arun Krishnsan in 1985. The Blue Revolution scheme was adopted by the Indian Government during the introduction of the seventh five-year plan in 1985–1990, under the Fish Farmers Development Agency (FFDA).

• The key vision behind launching the Blue Revolution was to build a more self-sufficient economy and aim for prosperity in sustainability and biosecurity.
• Before launching this scheme, China owned a major portion of the world’s marine production.
• After the Blue Revolution, the marine infrastructure and trade in India grew rapidly.

Father of Blue Revolution

Dr. Hiralal Chaudhari and Dr. Arun Krishnsan are known as the Father of Blue Revolution. Together, they launched this scheme in India with the aim of developing the fishing industry. Later, the government adopted this scheme and invested heavily in the aquaculture sector.

• This day was introduced to promote fishing as an allied activity for farmers to double their incomes.
• During the time of the Blue Revolution, the government also established the fish farmers’ development agency.
• A number of research centers were also set up to increase production and trade.

Blue Revolution in India

The Blue Revolution is related to the aquaculture industry in India. When this scheme was first introduced, many other schemes related to the aquaculture industry were already in place in the country. The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries chose to revamp the scheme and merged all the ongoing initiatives under the Blue Revolution scheme.

Objectives of Blue Revolution

Regulated by the NFDB (National Fisheries Development Board), the Blue Revolution project remains involved in the overall management and fisheries development. Following are some of the key objectives of this scheme.

• Authorizing the database and geographical data system of the fisheries industry.
• National fisheries expansion committee and its activities.
• The national undertaking of the fishermen's welfare.
• Evolution of marine fisheries, infrastructure, and post-harvest procedures.
• Institutional structures for the fisheries sector.
• Expansion of inland fisheries and aquaculture.
• Managing, evaluating, and administration along with other need-based help.

Blue Revolution: Challenges

The Blue Revolution was a solution to some major challenges faced by the fishing industry in India. A few of the challenges faced by the fishing sector before the launch of this scheme are as follows:

• Excessive input cost: The input cost per unit of fish weight was excessively high than in extensive farming, especially due to the high expense of fish feed. In addition, fish netting required frequent and labor-intensive cleaning.
• Social issues: Standards and ethical values forbid women or other groups from indulging in fishing-related activities due to a lack of family encouragement. Some people used to regard fishing as a lower prestigious work but the Blue Revolution helped change this perspective.
• Lack of data: There was a shortage of dependable databases relating to marine and fisheries resources in the country, a lack of suitable government policies, and an inefficiently working enforcement agency.

Apart from this, some other challenges faced by the fishing and aquamarine industry are mentioned below:

• Lowered quality of resources utilized
• Stagnation in the development of marine fisheries
• Restricted ownership over the water bodies
• Outlawed poaching of fish
• Seeds and medications were available in fixed stocks

Blue Revolution in India: Features

Blue Revolution was one of the greatest schemes introduced for the marine sector in India. Some of the salient features of the Blue Revolution in India are mentioned below:

• The scheme avails different tasks in fishing and thus attempts to facilitate the involvement of women in the fishing industry.
• Improving the productivity of fisheries and aquaculture concerning inland and marine sources was one of the primary aims of the Blue Revolution.
• Different entrepreneurship expansions were also encouraged by the Blue Revolution project in public-private partnerships and private investments along with banks or financial institutions.

In a nutshell, the Blue Revolution came in as a boon for the Indian economy that helped the fishing and aquamarine industry overcome the challenges faced to become more self-sustainable.

FAQs on Blue Revolution

Q1. What is Blue Revolution?

The rapid increase in the production of fish and marine products with the help of various sets of programs is known as the Blue Revolution. It was introduced by the government between 1985–1990 to promote fishing as an allied activity for farmers to double their incomes.

Q2. Who is the father of the Blue Revolution?

Dr. Hiralal Chaudhari and Dr. Arun Krishnsan launched the Blue Revolution in India, and they were also known as the Father of the Blue Revolution. In India, the first Blue Revolution was launched during the seventh five-year plan which was from 1985 to 1990.

Q3. When did the Blue Revolution start?

The Blue Revolution started between 1985 to 1990. It was launched during the seventh five-year plan by the Government of India. Originally, the Blue Revolution was introduced by Dr. Hiralal Chaudhari and Dr. Arun Krishnsan to improve the marine sector in India.

Q4. Blue Revolution is related to?

Blue Revolution is related to the development of the aquaculture industry. It encouraged people to adopt new techniques of fish breeding, rearing, marketing, and exporting. During the Blue Revolution in India, a lot of fishing harbors were also established in Vishakhapatnam, Kochi, and Port Blair.

Q5. What are the objectives of the Blue Revolution in India?

The Blue Revolution was launched by the Government of India between 1985–1990 with the following objectives.

• Expanding the production of fisheries and aquaculture in India.
• Improvement of the fisheries by integrating the use of modern technologies and tools.
• Guaranteeing food and nutritious security in India.

Q6. What is the Blue Revolution known as?

The Blue Revolution is also known as Neel Kranti in our country. It was introduced during the seventh five-year plan which, from 1985 to 1990. The main aim of the Blue Revolution was to improve aquaculture in India by adopting new techniques of fish breeding, rearing, marketing, and exporting.