Union Minister Urges Collaborative Push for PMMSY

The Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture Meet 2025 was held in Indore, Madhya Pradesh on June 13, 2025, bringing together top policymakers, State ministers, and fisheries experts to deliberate on accelerating India’s inland fisheries sector. Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh led the call for a collaborative national push under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), with an emphasis on scaling up production, enhancing exports, and fostering technology-driven growth for achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat.

Why in News?

The Inland Fisheries Meet 2025 was organized by the Department of Fisheries, MoFAH&D on June 13, 2025 in Indore. It aimed to assess progress and discuss next steps under PMMSY, with focus on innovation, infrastructure, productivity, and state-centre cooperation. Key announcements and expert discussions focused on expanding culture areas, improving seed and brood availability, and adoption of RAS, Biofloc, coldwater, and saline aquaculture systems.

Objectives of the Meet

• Review progress of PMMSY and allied schemes.
• Discuss state-level success stories and challenges.
• Promote region-specific strategies for inland fisheries development.
• Enhance technology adoption and export competitiveness.
• Foster convergence between research institutions, policy makers, and local fishers.

Sector Highlights

• India’s fish production rose by 142% since 2013–14, reaching 147 lakh tonnes.
• The fisheries sector has seen an average annual growth rate of 9%, the highest among agri-allied sectors.
• Fisheries support the livelihood of 3 crore people in India.
• India is now the second-largest fish producer in the world.

Infrastructure & Funding Push

₹38,572 crore infused under various initiatives,

• PMMSY (Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana)
• FIDF (Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund)
• PM-MKSSY, Kisan Credit Card (KCC)

Key Messages by Dignitaries

Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Union Minister, MoFAH&D)

Urged States to,

• Better utilize FIDF funds
• Enhance exports (esp. ornamental, coldwater, and saline fisheries)
• Coordinate with ICAR for planning.
• Emphasized tech-driven growth, nutrition, and inclusive rural development.

Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel (MoS)

• Praised stakeholders’ efforts.
• Stressed the use of Amrit Sarovar for Rohu and Catla farming.
• Called for improved cold storage, transport, and digital startups.

Shri George Kurian (MoS)

• Focus on nutritional security and rural prosperity.
• Advocated integration of traditional knowledge with modern technology.

States’ Contributions and Innovations

• Madhya Pradesh hosted the event and showcased its aquaculture development.
• Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, and others shared their achievements and region-specific solutions.

Push for,

• Drone-based monitoring
• Renewable energy use
• Customization of central schemes to local conditions
• Promotion of startups in aquaculture

Technical Sessions Included Topics Like

• Improved Brood & Seed Quality
• Coldwater Fisheries Development
• Reservoir and Wetland Management
• Leasing & Licensing Policy Reform
• Integration of Technology for Aquaculture Sustainability

Significance of the Meet

• Created a unified platform for Centre-State dialogue.
• Encouraged innovation, collaboration, and resource optimization.
• Reinforced India’s long-term fisheries vision under PMMSY.
• Aligned fisheries growth with the national goal of self-reliant, nutrition-secure India.