India’s fisheries sector has witnessed an extraordinary transformation in the past ten years, emerging as a global leader in aquaculture and marine productivity. According to the Department of Fisheries, total fish production surged by 104 percent, rising from 96 lakh tonnes in 2013-14 to 195 lakh tonnes in 2024-25. The most remarkable contribution came from inland fisheries, which recorded a 142 percent increase, reaching 147.37 lakh tonnes.
Today, India contributes around 8 percent to global fish production, securing its position as the world’s second-largest fish producer. This achievement is not merely statistical but reflects a holistic transformation driven by government vision, farmer-centric schemes, modern technology, and inclusive policies.
The foundation of this progress was laid with the Blue Revolution in 2015, which focused on building fisheries infrastructure, hatcheries, and modernising traditional practices. However, the government soon realised that productivity alone was not enough, fisher welfare, post-harvest handling, traceability, and financial inclusion were equally important.
This paved the way for the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) in 2020, designed as a game-changer with an ambitious outlay of Rs 20,050 crore (extended to 2025-26). By July 2025, projects worth Rs 21,274.16 crore had already been approved, with Rs 5,587.57 crore disbursed, generating both direct and indirect employment across aquaculture, processing, and marketing.
The impact of government schemes is best reflected in individual success stories.
Take the case of Navkishar Gope, a displaced villager from Jharkhand’s Gangudih Punarwas. With training and financial aid under PMMSY’s cage culture initiative, he not only boosted his fish yield but also reduced mortality rates. Today, he owns a house, a moped, and dreams of expanding further, a true testament to how government schemes can change lives.
The Union Budget 2025-26 earmarked Rs 2,703.67 crore, the highest ever allocation for the fisheries sector. This sustained financial commitment ensures that the sector not only meets domestic needs but also strengthens India’s footprint in global markets.
In addition, the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), with a Rs 7,522.48 crore corpus, provides credit guarantees and interest subventions to entrepreneurs, ensuring financial risks are minimised.
Strengthening community-led growth, the government approved 200 existing fisheries cooperatives to be transformed into Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs), alongside 195 new FFPOs. These bodies give small farmers collective bargaining power, access to credit, and better market reach.
Further, 34 notified fisheries clusters and 11 integrated aquaparks worth Rs 682.60 crore have been developed. These hubs provide end-to-end support from seeds and feed to processing and market linkages, ensuring that farmers face minimal post-harvest losses.
Recognising the role of technology, 39 startups have received Rs 31.22 crore in subsidies for seed funding and incubation.
Equally revolutionary is the National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP), launched in September 2024 under PM-MKSSY. By August 2025, over 26 lakh stakeholders had registered, receiving digital IDs, credit access, insurance, and training through a single portal (nfdp.dof.gov.in).
This digital leap ensures transparency, inclusivity, and ease of access for millions of fishers across the country.
Inclusivity has been at the heart of government initiatives. Projects worth Rs 3,973.14 crore have been approved specifically for women-related fisheries ventures, enabling them to become entrepreneurs and leaders in the sector.
Tribal empowerment is being ensured through the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, which supports 10,000 tribal groups and 1 lakh individuals with a ₹375 crore allocation under PMMSY.
To ensure sustainability and higher yields, the government has promoted Recirculatory Aquaculture Systems (RAS) and Biofloc technology. By March 2025, 12,000 RAS units worth Rs 902.97 crore and 4,205 Biofloc units worth Rs 523.30 crore had been sanctioned.
Modernisation of harbours is also underway. Smart fishing harbours in Diu, Puducherry, and Gujarat have been developed at a cost of Rs 369.8 crore, equipped with AI, IoT, solar energy, and eco-friendly systems, aligning with FAO’s Blue Port Initiative.
India’s fisheries sector is no longer confined to being a traditional occupation; it has become a pillar of food security, livelihood, and exports. From PMMSY and PM-MKSSY to digital platforms and startup incubation, government efforts have created a comprehensive ecosystem that empowers farmers, uplifts tribals, ensures women’s participation, and fosters sustainability.
The journey from Blue Revolution to Digital Fisheries stands as a model for the world, showing how government vision, inclusive policies, and community participation can transform an entire sector, turning it into a driver of economic growth and rural empowerment.
Comments