New Delhi: The fisheries and aquaculture sector plays a critical role in India’s economy, providing livelihoods to approximately 3 crore fishers and fish farmers while generating significant employment opportunities across the value chain. India is the world’s second- largest fish producer, contributing 8% to global output, ranks second in aquaculture production, leads in shrimp production and export, and is the second-largest producer in capture fisheries.
The Government of India has set in motion a series of transformative initiatives aimed at fostering the comprehensive development of the fisheries and aquaculture sector within the country. Over the years, there has been a significant upswing in central government investments dedicated to this sector. From the initiation of this endeavour in 2015, the cumulative investments, totalling an impressive Rs 38,572 Cr, have been approved or announced across various schemes namely Blue Revolution, Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PMMKSSY). Projects worth Rs. 32,723 crore have been approved since 2014-15.
In addition, Hon’ble PM launched Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan on 2nd October 2024. The Abhiyan comprises of 25 interventions implemented by 17-line Ministries including Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAH&D) and aims to saturate infrastructural gaps and aims at Saturation through convergence and outreach. A total of 5,567.5 units have been approved under PMMSY amounting to ₹146.00 crore, including a Central share of ₹85.09 crore, State share of ₹46.98 crore and beneficiary contribution of ₹13.91 crore.
Announced in the Union Budget 2025–26, Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY) is designed to catalyse growth in 100 Agri Aspirational districts. The scheme ensures saturation-based convergence of 36 schemes from 11 ministries, benefiting 1.7 crore farmers directly including the Department of Fisheries schemes namely PMMSY, PMMKSSY and Kisan Credit Card for Fisheries Sector. The scheme aims to promote sustainable growth of the fisheries and aquaculture sector by enhancing production, productivity, and value creation. It seeks to improve incomes and livelihoods of fishers and fish farmers through risk mitigation, credit access, and expansion of aquaculture activities.
Key Points:
1) Inland Fisheries: 52,058 Nos of cages, 23285.06 hectares of pond area for inland aquaculture, 12,081 Re-circulatory Aquaculture Systems (RAS), 4,205 Biofloc units, 3159.31 hectares of pond area for Inland Saline-alkaline culture, 890 fish and 5 scampi hatcheries, 560.7 hectares pens in reservoirs and other waterbodies, and 25 brood banks have been approved.
2) Marine Fisheries: 2,259 Bio-toilets in mechanized fishing vessels, 1,525 of open sea cage for fish culture,1,338 up-gradation of existing fishing vessels, 1,580.86 hectares of pond area for brackish water aquaculture, 480 deep sea fishing vessel, 17 brackish water hatcheries and 5 Small Marine finfish hatcheries have been approved.
3) Fishermen Welfare: 6,706 replacement boats and nets for fishermen, 2,494 Sagar Mitras and 102 Matsya Seva Kendras approved.
4) Fisheries Infrastructure: 27,189 units of fish transportation facilities namely motorcycles (10,924), bicycles with ice box (9,412), auto rickshaws (3,860), insulated trucks (1,377), live fish vending centres (1,243), fish feed mill/plants (1091), ice plant/cold storages (634) and refrigerated vehicles (373). Additionally, 6,733 total units of fish retail markets (188) and fish kiosks including ornamental kiosks (6,896) and 128 value added enterprise units have been sanctioned.
5) Aquatic Health Management: 19 disease diagnostic centre and quality testing labs, 31 mobile centres and testing labs and 6 aquatic referral labs have been approved.
6) Ornamental Fisheries: 2,465 ornamental fish rearing units and 207 Integrated Ornamental fish units (breeding and rearing) have been approved.
7) Seaweed Cultivation: 47,245 rafts and 65,480 monoline tube net approved.
8) Development of Northeast Regions: Total Project cost of Rs 1722.79 crore have been approved with a central share of Rs 980.40 crore. This includes 7063.29 ha Construction of new ponds, 5063.11 ha area for Integrated Fish Farming, 644 Ornamental Fisheries units, 470 Biofloc units, 231 hatcheries, 148 Re-circulatory Aquaculture System (RAS) and 140 feed mills have been approved.
9) Outreach Activities: 12.63 Lakh training and capacity building programmes, 10.88 Lakh distribution of success stories, pamphlets, Brochures, booklets and outreach campaigns etc., 66.87 Lakh social media platforms and visit to Department of fisheries, NFDB, PMMSY, PMMKSSY & FIDF Websites.
