Dr Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, on Thursday chaired an interactive meeting with tilapia farmers, entrepreneurs, exporters and other value-chain stakeholders in Raipur to review the progress of the tilapia cluster notified under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and chart a roadmap for export-oriented development.
The meeting, held in hybrid mode on August 20, saw participation from more than 1,300 tilapia farmers and stakeholders. Officials from the Department of Fisheries, the Chhattisgarh Fisheries Department, notified fisheries clusters, ICAR fisheries institutes, the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), NABARD, fisheries cooperatives and seafood exporters also participated.
The discussions focused on strengthening tilapia production, processing, value addition and exports, while addressing gaps and challenges across the value chain.
India Records 198 Lakh Tonnes of Fish Production
Likhi appreciated the contribution of fish farmers, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders to the growth of India’s fisheries sector, noting that the country had recorded fish production of 198 lakh tonnes and seafood exports worth ₹73,890.46 crore despite global trade disruptions.
He said nearly ₹900 crore had been invested under PMMSY in Chhattisgarh for quality seed, feed and modern aquaculture technologies, contributing to a doubling of the state’s fish production to nearly 10 lakh tonnes.
Highlighting the government’s cluster-based development approach, he said notified fisheries clusters were being supported through end-to-end interventions covering production, processing, value addition and market linkages to improve competitiveness and promote exports.
Likhi called for closer coordination among the state government, research institutions, exporters and farmers to address value-chain gaps, strengthen linkages with ICAR institutes, expand capacity-building programmes and prepare a dedicated export roadmap for Chhattisgarh.
He also urged MPEDA to expand its presence in the state and facilitate market access, export promotion and greater international exposure for stakeholders.
Visit to Tilapia Hatchery
Following the meeting, Likhi visited MM Hatcheries at Mana in Raipur to review initiatives related to tilapia genetic improvement and the production of quality seed for the aquaculture sector.
The hatchery is engaged in producing quality tilapia seed and developing genetically improved black-strain tilapia. Its ongoing genetic improvement programme is aimed at enhancing seed quality, productivity and farm performance, supporting the expansion of tilapia farming.
Financial assistance of ₹5 crore has been provided to the hatchery under the Entrepreneurship Model of PMMSY. It has also received a performance grant of ₹35 lakh under the PM-MKSSY for employment generation and logistics support.
The hatchery supplies tilapia seed across the country and has supported tilapia production of nearly 25,000 tonnes in Chhattisgarh, according to the Department of Fisheries.
Focus on Export Potential
Tilapia, a globally traded freshwater species, has significant export potential due to demand across markets in Africa, Europe and Asia. Chhattisgarh has already initiated tilapia exports, with 382 tonnes exported to the United States.
The proposed Tilapia Production and Processing Cluster is expected to strengthen the value chain through improved production, processing, quality assurance and market linkages, with the aim of boosting exports and increasing farmers’ incomes.
Joint Secretary (Marine Fisheries) Dr Surabhi Rai said 34 fisheries clusters were being developed as growth engines to promote exports.
She stressed the need to strengthen last-mile infrastructure, increase technology adoption, including the use of Internet of Things-based systems, biofloc technology and Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS), and address low credit absorption by bridging gaps between available financing mechanisms, including FIDF and Kisan Credit Card facilities, and market linkages.
Chhattisgarh Can Emerge as Major Tilapia Hub: ICAR
ICAR Deputy Director General (Fisheries Science) Dr J K Jena said Chhattisgarh had the potential to emerge as a major tilapia production and quality seed hub in the country.
He emphasised the need for stronger biosecurity measures and the use of quality seed to ensure sustainable and disease-free aquaculture.
Describing fish as one of the most affordable and nutritious sources of animal protein, Jena said tilapia farming could play an important role in improving food and nutritional security while creating opportunities for livelihoods, entrepreneurship and export growth.
Farmers Flag Key Challenges
During the interaction, farmers highlighted several challenges affecting the growth and competitiveness of tilapia farming, including the availability of quality seed, high production costs, water rent charges in areas notified for industrial activities and rising electricity costs for aquaculture infrastructure.
Farmers sought targeted subsidies to reduce input costs and improve profitability. They also called for capacity-building programmes for small and tribal fish farmers on modern production techniques, export certification requirements, integrated fish farming and international market standards.
Stakeholders sought stronger market linkages and the development of domestic markets to absorb surplus production, along with greater support for exports.
Access to institutional credit and working capital was also identified as a major constraint, with farmers citing cumbersome application procedures. Participants recommended exchange programmes, exposure visits, international collaborations and simplified bank financing to promote technology adoption and improve export readiness.
Representatives of the state fisheries department, ICAR institutes, MPEDA and other organisations also highlighted the need for a Common Facility Centre to support processing and value addition, particularly for small-scale farmers.
They noted that low farm-gate prices were affecting profitability and said value-added products could help improve export returns. Stakeholders also proposed the adoption of circular economy practices for waste utilisation and sought technical support from ICAR and NFDB to strengthen sustainability, processing and market linkages.
NFDB Chief Executive Dr Bijay Kumar Behera presented the proposed five-year plan for the tilapia cluster and outlined expectations from stakeholders across the value chain.
Chhattisgarh Identified as Potential Tilapia Growth Centre
Chhattisgarh is among the states identified by the Department of Fisheries as having significant potential for tilapia development, along with Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Kerala.
The state can leverage its freshwater resources to develop large-scale, export-oriented tilapia production supported by processing facilities, cold-chain infrastructure, quality assurance systems and compliance with international market requirements.
The expansion of inland fisheries and aquaculture is also providing an opportunity to diversify India’s seafood export basket. Tilapia has emerged as a key export-oriented species because of growing global demand, its adaptability to aquaculture systems and its potential for large-scale production.
India exported 32,324 metric tonnes of identified freshwater and inland species worth ₹535.21 crore in FY 2025-26. Tilapia accounted for 22,601 metric tonnes valued at ₹189.73 crore during the financial year, making it India’s largest freshwater finfish export by volume.
Despite this growth, India’s share of the global tilapia market remains modest, indicating significant scope for export diversification and future expansion.
The tilapia cluster has received investments exceeding ₹9 crore, including more than ₹4 crore in credit support from lending institutions and ₹5 crore under the NFDB Entrepreneurship Model. These interventions are aimed at supporting entrepreneurship, improving access to finance and strengthening value-chain infrastructure to develop a robust aquaculture ecosystem in the state.
