India has achieved a significant milestone by surpassing China to become the largest contributor to inland capture water fisheries, positioning itself among the top three fish-producing countries globally. T Pradeepkumar, Vice Chancellor of Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (Kufos), attributed this remarkable feat to India’s outstanding growth in both aquaculture and capture fisheries over the last few decades. The country’s strategic initiatives, including the allocation of ₹20,500 crore under the Prime Minister’s Matsya Sampada Yojana, have played a pivotal role in this success.
Speaking on World Fisheries Day, Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, highlighted India’s inland fish production surge, reaching an impressive 131 lakh tonnes—a doubling over the past nine years. Rupala attributed this achievement to the meticulous planning and execution of government initiatives.
The growing significance of fisheries and aquaculture in addressing global food security, nutrition, and employment has garnered unprecedented attention from planners and policymakers. Various initiatives such as biofloc farming, integrated multi-trophic aquaculture, mangrove-based organic farming, and advanced practices like trout culture in temperature-controlled indoor facilities and cage culture have gained popularity across the country.
Kufos has been at the forefront of standardizing breeding technologies for indigenous cultivable fishes, aiming to diversify the pool of species available for aquaculture.
Rajamanohar Somasundaram, Founder and CEO of Aquaconnect, emphasized India’s global standing in the aquaculture sector. With an 8% share in global fish production, India ranks as the second-largest aquaculture producer, the third-largest fish producer, and the fourth-largest seafood exporter. This growth trajectory over the past two decades positions aquaculture as a sunrise sector, paving the way for Blue Revolution 2.0.
To sustain India’s leadership in global fisheries production, Somasundaram highlighted the need to address critical gaps in the sector, particularly in adopting technological solutions. While aquaculture has made significant strides, there is still room for advancements, especially in embracing AI and satellite remote sensing to bring transparency, efficiency, and predictability to the production and post-harvest value chain.
Somasundaram also stressed the importance of promoting domestic seafood consumption through innovative marketing efforts, comparing the evolution of the seafood sector to the nascent stage of value addition when compared to the poultry industry. Acknowledging aquaculture as a key pillar of global food security and a livelihood provider for millions, he urged concerted efforts to enhance sector resilience and ensure stable market dynamics to meet the growing demand for protein globally.
