AquaBoom 2025: India's Fisheries Hook New Heights!

The Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying (MoFAH&D), Government of India, celebrated National Fish Farmers Day 2025 on July 10 at the ICAR–Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

On this occasion, Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh launched 17 new fisheries clusters under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), doubling the total number of clusters across the country to 34. He also inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for 70 fisheries development projects across 11 states, with a combined outlay of Rs 105 crore. These initiatives are aimed at enhancing productivity, sustainability, and the income of fishers and fish farmers.

The Minister also released key policy and capacity-building tools, including the ICAR Training Calendar and guidelines for seed certification and hatchery operations, to promote quality standards and institutional strengthening in the sector.

Various beneficiaries—such as traditional fishers, cooperatives/FFPOs, Kisan Credit Card (KCC) holders, and fisheries start-ups—were recognized for their contributions. In his address, the Minister applauded the remarkable progress of the fisheries sector, noting that India is the world’s second-largest fish producer, with inland fisheries accounting for 75% of the nation’s total fish production. He highlighted the government’s substantial investment of Rs 38,572 crore across multiple schemes, benefiting over 3 crore fishers and fish farmers nationwide.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.