Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu has said, the role of middlemen should be reduced to ensure that economic benefits from both capture fisheries and aquaculture reach fishermen and those involved in fish farming. <br/><br/>Inaugurating the 11th Indian Fisheries And Aquaculture Forum in Kochi today, the Vice President said that currently, much of the economic benefits from capture fisheries and aquaculture are not going to the farmers. <br/><br/>He urged the scientific community to focus on areas which will improve the economic condition of farmers. Mr Naidu said, a number of interventions are needed to reduce the role of middlemen, provide crop insurances, enhance access to credit, develop cold chains and good upcountry market linkages. <br/><br/>He said, India was doing exceedingly well in aquaculture, especially freshwater aquaculture sector, and achieving an unparalleled annual growth rate of 6-7 per cent since last three decades. India contributes 6.3 per cent of global fish production which is also 1.1 per cent of GDP of the country. <br/><br/>Mr Naidu said, the government of India has set for itself a goal of doubling the income of those engaged in fish farming.