Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks for the statistical average of the annual growth rate of India's fisheries sector over the period beginning from the financial year 2014-15. This is a common economic parameter used to measure the success of government schemes like PMMSY and Blue Revolution.
Detailed Explanation:
• Growth Trends: Since 2014-15, the fisheries sector has emerged as one of the fastest-growing segments in the primary sector (Agriculture and allied).
• Statistical Data: According to the Economic Survey of India and reports from the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, the sector recorded an impressive average annual growth rate of approximately 10.87%, which is often rounded to 10.9% in official communications and competitive exam questions.
• Drivers of Growth: This high growth is primarily attributed to the massive expansion of inland aquaculture (especially shrimp farming for export), improved infrastructure, better market linkages, and focused government funding and policy support.
• Comparative Growth: This growth rate is significantly higher than the overall growth rate of the agriculture sector, which typically fluctuates between 2% and 4%.
Step 2: Final Answer:
The average annual growth rate since 2014-15 is 10.9%.