BHUBANESWAR, 17 July 2026: Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and Panchayati Raj, Rajiv Ranjan Singh, chaired a high-level review meeting on the implementation of fisheries and aquaculture schemes in Odisha, highlighting the state's emergence as a major fisheries hub and calling for stronger value-chain development to boost exports and fisher incomes.
The meeting was attended by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of State S.P. Singh Baghel, Odisha Fisheries Minister Gokulananda Mallik, senior officials from the Department of Fisheries, National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), ICAR institutes, NABARD, NCDC and Paradip Port Trust.
The Union Minister said Odisha produced 12.70 lakh metric tonnes of fish in 2025-26, supported the livelihoods of more than 16 lakh fishers, and recorded ₹5,429 crore in seafood exports. He noted that projects worth over ₹1,301 crore have been approved for the state under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) to strengthen fish production, infrastructure, technology adoption, fisher welfare and post-harvest management.
Singh urged the Odisha government to unlock the state's untapped export potential by strengthening collaboration among fishers, fish farmers, exporters, cooperatives and Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs). He also stressed the need to promote value addition, expand modern processing facilities and diversify into high-value fish species to improve competitiveness in global markets.
Fisheries Secretary Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi emphasised greater convergence between central schemes, state initiatives, research institutions and financial agencies to ensure timely project implementation, innovation and sustainable fisheries development.
During the meeting, officials reviewed the progress of key schemes, including PMMSY, the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), Kisan Credit Card (KCC) and PM-MKSSY. Discussions covered fisheries infrastructure, hatcheries, feed mills, reservoir cage culture, climate-resilient coastal fishing villages, artificial reefs and fisheries cooperatives, while identifying KCC coverage, traceability and export-oriented value chains as priority areas.
Representatives from ICAR-CIFA, NABARD and NCDC highlighted opportunities to strengthen hatcheries, fishing harbours, cold-chain infrastructure, processing facilities and market linkages. They also recommended expanding the farming of high-value species such as scampi, seabass, pompano and tilapia to enhance productivity and exports.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment from the Centre and the Odisha government to work with research institutions, financial organisations and industry stakeholders to transform Odisha into a leading fisheries and aquaculture hub and contribute to India's Blue Economy goals.
