The impact of COVID-19 on Indian economy is as devastating as it is on the rest of the world. Disruption of demand and supply chain of agricultural commodity like fish and seafood products for the prolonged nation-wide lockdown has directly affect 14.5 million people associated with the sector. The scale at which this pandemic has caused damage to this trade is immeasurable with exports slipping down drastically, production, distribution and marketing of inland fisheries coming to a halt and seed supply scoring an almost zero due to lack in demand. As per the Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT), the monthly loss for the sector is estimated to be about Rs 6,838 crore, with Gujarat — the No. 1 state with 7.8 lakh tonnes marine seafood production in 2018 — have been hit severely. However, experts from the industry feel that now the inimical phase has passed by and it is time to rebuild this sector. AgroSpectrum analysis the ongoing trade situation and speak to some stalwarts of this trade get the clear picture on the necessary strides needed to get this business back on track.
