National Fish Farmers Day 2025: Department of Fisheries, under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, celebrated National Fish Farmers Day 2025 on July 10 at ICAR-CIFA in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, to honour the invaluable contributions of fishers and fish farmers to India’s thriving blue economy.
Marking a major push for sustainable aquaculture, Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh launched 17 new fisheries clusters under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), raising the total number of clusters nationwide to 34.
These clusters are aimed at strengthening fisheries value chains, boosting rural livelihoods, and promoting environmentally sustainable practices. The minister also inaugurated and laid the foundation for 70 fisheries-related projects worth Rs 105 crore across 11 states.
Key initiatives were unveiled at the event, including the ICAR Training Calendar and new guidelines for seed certification and hatchery operations, steps designed to enhance quality standards, build technical capacity, and improve overall efficiency in aquaculture practices.
Recognising the vital role of fishers, cooperatives, FFPOs, and start-ups, the minister felicitated beneficiaries of various government schemes. He highlighted India’s achievement as the second-largest fish producer in the world, with inland fisheries accounting for nearly 75% of total production. With over 3 crore people dependent on fisheries for their livelihood, Singh credited the sector’s transformation to the Rs 38,572 crore investment made under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He stressed the need for wider adoption of financial tools like the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) and modern approaches such as multi-species aquaculture, disease management, value addition, and global best practices. Cluster development, he noted, will be central to achieving Vision 2047, a roadmap for a resilient, inclusive, and globally competitive fisheries sector.
Minister of State Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel emphasized the sector’s potential in doubling farmers’ incomes and applauded ICAR's role in developing innovative technologies. He encouraged fishers to utilise insurance schemes, quality seed access, and modern aquaculture methods. Minister George Kurian noted that India’s fish production has doubled over the past decade, reaching a record 195 lakh tonnes, thanks to the dedication of fishers and farmers.
The government also announced a focused cluster-based growth strategy in niche areas such as pearl farming in Hazaribagh, ornamental fisheries in Madurai, tuna fishing in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and coldwater fisheries in the Himalayan region. These efforts will be supported through strategic partnerships with NABARD, the MSME Ministry, and the Ministry of Food Processing Industries to improve infrastructure, financing, and market access.
Secretary Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi highlighted Odisha’s significant contribution to India’s fisheries output and shared plans for new initiatives, including scampi hatcheries, aquaparks, and disaster preparedness programs in cyclone-prone coastal areas.
