India is expanding the use of advanced aquaculture technologies such as Recirculatory Aquaculture Systems (RAS) and Biofloc to boost fish production, conserve resources and strengthen the country’s blue economy under the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat.
The fisheries and aquaculture sector supports the livelihoods of nearly three crore fishers and fish farmers and has emerged as an important contributor to food security, rural employment, exports and economic growth.
India is currently the world’s second-largest fish producer, accounting for around 8 per cent of global production. It is also the second-largest aquaculture producer, the world’s largest producer and exporter of shrimp and the second-largest producer in capture fisheries.
Government investment in the sector has increased significantly, with cumulative investments exceeding ₹39,272 crore approved or announced since 2015 through various schemes and initiatives aimed at improving production, infrastructure, technology adoption, market access and exports.
The country’s annual fish production has more than doubled from 95.79 lakh tonnes in 2013-14 to a record 198 lakh tonnes in 2024-25. Inland fisheries and aquaculture have been a major driver of this growth, with production rising 147 per cent from 61.36 lakh tonnes to 151.60 lakh tonnes during the same period.
Seafood exports have also more than doubled, increasing from ₹30,213 crore in 2013-14 to a record ₹73,890 crore in 2025-26.
RAS, Biofloc expand technology-driven fish farming
The adoption of RAS and Biofloc technology under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) is helping shift Indian aquaculture towards intensive, resource-efficient and commercially viable production systems.
RAS uses water treatment and recirculation to maintain controlled farming conditions, while Biofloc technology uses beneficial microorganisms to improve water quality and support fish growth.
RAS can recycle up to 90-95 per cent of water, allowing fish farming in locations where conventional aquaculture may not be feasible. It also enables production units to be established closer to urban consumption centres and export hubs.
Under PMMSY, 9,467 RAS units and 4,573 Biofloc units have been approved, supported by investments of ₹4,120 crore. The adoption of these systems is enabling year-round fish production and expanding aquaculture beyond traditional farming regions.
The controlled environment provided by these technologies can also improve consistency, traceability and biosecurity, making them increasingly relevant to India’s high-value and export-oriented seafood sector.
Technology opens opportunities in high-value fisheries
RAS and Biofloc systems are being adopted for specialised aquaculture activities across different regions. In cold-water fisheries clusters in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, the technologies are supporting the culture of premium-value species such as trout.
They are also being used for export-oriented shrimp production in saline and brackish-water systems and for ornamental fish rearing, creating opportunities in niche and high-value markets.
The government sees continued integration of technology, innovation and sustainability as crucial to the future growth of India’s fisheries sector.
The convergence of RAS and Biofloc with digital monitoring, artificial intelligence, drone-enabled services and renewable energy could further improve operational efficiency and reduce production costs.
Diversification into high-value species such as shrimp, trout, seabass, tilapia, murrel and pangasius is also expected to help farmers achieve greater value realisation and expand India’s presence in international seafood markets.
With continued skill development, industry partnerships and policy support, technology-driven aquaculture is expected to contribute to food security, rural employment, higher seafood exports and the development of a sustainable and globally competitive blue economy under the Viksit Bharat vision.
