Odisha has secured its position as the fourth-largest state in fish production and the seventh-largest in marine fish production across the country. This revelation surfaced during a review meeting of the Fisheries and Animal Resources Development department, chaired by Asit Tripathy, Principal Advisor to the Chief Minister, in Bhubaneswar on Thursday.
Tripathy highlighted Odisha’s remarkable progress in fish production, stating, “Today Odisha has become self-reliant in the production of fish seed. With a fish production of 7.62 lakh tons annually, the state has achieved an annual growth rate of 31.5%.”
The state has not only excelled in domestic fish production but has also emerged as a significant player in the export of fish. Tripathy emphasized the noteworthy growth in the production, sale, and distribution of fish in Odisha over the past five years.
The government’s strategic plans for further bolstering the fisheries sector were unveiled during the meeting. A noteworthy decision includes the construction of an aquaculture farm in the Hirakud reservoir in Sambalpur district, entailing an investment of Rs 100 crore. The aquaculture farm will encompass fish production facilities, processing units, and general infrastructure. Additionally, a comprehensive plan will be formulated for fish farming in the brackish waters along the coastal areas of the state.
Suresh Kumar Vashishth, Principal Secretary of the Department of Fisheries and Animal Resources Development, also attended the meeting, underscoring the government’s commitment to fostering sustainable growth in the fisheries sector.
