The Department of Fisheries, under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAH&D), will celebrate National Fish Farmers Day 2025 on 10 July at the ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA) in Bhubaneswar.
The occasion will be marked by the presence of Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, who also heads the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, along with Minister of State Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel and Minister of State George Kurian. Joining them will be Odisha’s Minister for Fisheries, Shri Gokulananda Mallick, to honour and support the contributions of fish farmers to the nation’s aquaculture and rural economy.
National Fish Farmers Day is observed each year to honour the significant contributions of fish farmers, who play a crucial role in ensuring India’s food security, generating rural employment, and supporting the growth of a sustainable aquaculture sector. The day also pays tribute to the pioneering efforts of Professor Dr. Hiralal Chaudhury and Dr. K. H. Alikunhi, who, on this day in 1957, successfully demonstrated induced breeding in Indian Major Carps through the hypophysation technique—an innovation that revolutionized inland aquaculture in India.
The celebration serves as a vital platform to recognize the contributions of fish farmers, entrepreneurs, and fishermen to the country’s fisheries sector. It encourages dialogue on sustainable fisheries management and the adoption of modern aquaculture techniques. Fish farmers have played a transformative role in advancing fish productivity, conserving aquatic resources, and meeting the growing demand for fish-based protein across the nation.
The fisheries sector in India has seen remarkable progress in recent years. Since 2015, the Government of India has invested over ₹38,500 crore in the sector. As a result, national fish production has witnessed an impressive 104% increase, rising from 95.79 lakh tonnes in FY 2013-14 to 195 lakh tonnes in FY 2024-25. Inland fisheries and aquaculture alone have experienced 140% growth, underscoring the potential of India’s water resources and the impact of focused policy initiatives.
India’s seafood exports have also seen tremendous success, crossing ₹60,500 crore mark and reaffirming the country’s global leadership in shrimp exports. Shrimp production has surged by 270% over the past decade, creating extensive employment opportunities and empowering fishing communities across the country.
As part of the National Fish Farmers Day celebrations, the Hon’ble Union Minister will launch several key initiatives aimed at furthering the sector’s development. These include the announcement of new Fisheries Clusters, release of the ICAR training calendar, and the unveiling of guidelines on seed certification and hatchery operations to ensure quality control, standardization, and capacity building. Fisheries beneficiaries, including traditional fishers, cooperatives and Fish Farmers Producer Organizations (FFPOs), Kisan Credit Card holders, and emerging fisheries start-ups, will be felicitated during the event.
In addition, virtual foundation stones will be laid and several PMMSY-supported fisheries projects will be inaugurated, reflecting the government’s commitment to infrastructure development, entrepreneurship, and inclusive growth in the sector. The Union Minister is also scheduled to deliver a keynote address, outlining sectoral progress and discussing new opportunities, best practices, and innovations in Indian fisheries.