Bhubaneswar, July 8: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday underlined the importance of realizing a Blue Economy vision for Odisha, stressing that coordinated efforts between the Centre and the state will be crucial in boosting marine exports, empowering fishermen, and supporting startups in the fisheries sector.

ଭୁବନେଶ୍ୱର ଠାରେ ଅନୁଷ୍ଠିତ ଓଡ଼ିଶାରେ ମତ୍ସ୍ୟଚାଷ ଓ ଆକ୍ୱାକଲ୍‌ଚର ଯୋଜନା ଏବଂ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟକ୍ରମର ଏକ ସମୀକ୍ଷା ବୈଠକରେ କେନ୍ଦ୍ର ମତ୍ସ୍ୟ, ପ୍ରାଣୀସମ୍ପଦ ଏବଂ ଗୋପାଳନ ମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ @LalanSingh_1, ରାଷ୍ଟ୍ର ମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ପ୍ରଫେସର @spsinghbaghelpr ଏବଂ ଓଡ଼ିଶାର ମତ୍ସ୍ୟ, ପଶୁପାଳନ ବିକାଶ ଏବଂ MSME ମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ @GokulanandaBJP ଙ୍କ ସହ… pic.twitter.com/hvjdzIlWQ0

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) July 8, 2026

Pradhan joined Union Fisheries Minister Lalan Singh, Minister of State SP Singh Baghel, and Odisha Fisheries and MSME Minister Gokulananda Mallik in Bhubaneswar for a review meeting on fisheries and aquaculture schemes.

 In the meeting, the leaders discussed the progress of central schemes in Odisha and prepared a roadmap to export fish from rural areas to international markets, thereby enhancing the economic prosperity of fishermen.

Pradhan noted that the development of a Deep Sea Fishing Policy in Odisha will be accompanied by financial support and loans for youth and startups, ensuring their participation in the sector. He emphasized that the “double-engine government” is committed to empowering fishermen and entrepreneurs through coordinated initiatives.
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Despite global economic challenges, India’s marine product exports have grown under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pradhan said. He added that targets have been set to further increase exports in the coming years, with Odisha expected to play a pivotal role.

Pradhan stressed that collective efforts are needed to integrate sustainable fishing practices with economic growth, making Odisha central to India’s Blue Economy aspirations.