The Fisheries Investors and Exporters Conclave 2026 will be held in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, on October 23, with a focus on attracting investment, strengthening processing and cold-chain infrastructure, promoting value addition and expanding export opportunities in inland fisheries.
The conclave is being organised jointly by the Department of Fisheries, Government of Madhya Pradesh, and the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. It aims to connect inland fish production with investment, processing facilities and domestic and international markets to improve market access and income opportunities for fishermen and fish farmers.
The event will bring together investors, exporters, fishers, more than 1,000 fish farmers from across Madhya Pradesh, fisheries cooperatives, Fish Farmer Producer Organisations, entrepreneurs, start-ups, processors, financial institutions and research institutions. Discussions will focus on enterprise development, access to finance, market linkages and collaboration across the inland fisheries value chain.
A key highlight of the conclave will be the release of the *Madhya Pradesh Fisheries Investment and Export Guidelines, 2026*. The guidelines are intended to facilitate investment in hatcheries, fish seed and feed, reservoir and cage fisheries, aquatic animal health, processing, cold-chain infrastructure, logistics, value addition and market development. Madhya Pradesh has been notified by the Centre as a Reservoir Fisheries Cluster.
The programme will also feature the release of Standard Operating Procedures on the export potential of inland States and the virtual inauguration of Integrated Cage Culture Units. Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Panchayati Raj Rajiv Ranjan Singh will also hand over administrative approval for the Integrated Development of Reservoirs and Amrit Sarovars in Madhya Pradesh.
India’s fish production reached 197.75 lakh tonnes in 2024–25, with inland fisheries contributing 151.60 lakh tonnes, accounting for nearly three-fourths of the total. The country’s seafood exports were valued at ₹73,890 crore in 2025–26, highlighting the sector’s contribution to livelihoods, food security and export earnings.
Madhya Pradesh, with nearly 4.50 lakh hectares of water area, has significant potential for inland fisheries development. The conclave aims to link the state’s production capacity with investment, modern infrastructure, value addition and expanded market opportunities.
-PIB
