Over 15,000 fishers and fish farmers from 34 States and Union Territories participated in a six-month series of virtual interactions organized by the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, from April to September 2025. Led by Secretary Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, the initiative provided a platform for stakeholders, including fisheries associations, cooperatives, Fisheries Farmer Producer Organizations, startups, and State Fisheries Departments, to voice their concerns and aspirations. Covering coastal, inland, hilly, island, and North-Eastern regions, the sessions ensured representation from nearly every district, helping identify challenges and shape future policies, infrastructure, and welfare measures for the fisheries and aquaculture sector.
Participants highlighted the need for quality fish seed, brood banks, affordable feed, and local feed mills. They also called for enhanced facilities like transport, cage culture, mini hatcheries, ice boxes, cold storage, and solar energy integration for aquaculture. Innovative technologies, such as drones for live fish transport, satellite applications for fishermen’s safety, and potential fishing zone advisories, were emphasized. Fishers expressed gratitude for government-provided transponders, which offer timely weather alerts, cyclone updates, and navigation support, preventing unintentional crossings of international maritime boundaries.
On marketing, stakeholders stressed the importance of dedicated fish markets, kiosks, and modern processing plants to strengthen value chains and improve price realization. They suggested that the flagship Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana further promote alternative livelihoods like seaweed cultivation, ornamental fisheries, and pearl farming. Regular training programs for technical know-how, farm management, and disease control, along with aquatic health management systems and water quality testing labs, were also deemed essential.
The mobile-based video conferencing format enabled fishers and farmers to connect directly with senior officials from their homes. Dr. Likhi noted that these sessions have bridged the gap between stakeholders and policymakers, ensuring inclusive, sustainable, and farmer-centric growth aligned with the Department’s five-year roadmap and the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
The fisheries sector, recognized as a ‘Sunrise Sector,’ supports nearly 3 crore livelihoods, particularly for marginalized communities. India, the world’s second-largest fish producer, contributes 8% to global output and ranks second in aquaculture. Since 2015, government investments of ₹38,572 crore have driven fish production to 195 lakh tonnes, with an annual growth rate of 8.74%. Seafood exports reached ₹60,524 crore in 2023-24. The Department is now focusing on 34 fisheries production and processing clusters, emphasizing species-specific value chains, women empowerment through cooperatives, and enhanced domestic consumption and exports to support marginalized fishers and farmers.