National Fish Farmers Day is celebrated across India every year on July 10 to honour the invaluable contributions of fish farmers towards strengthening the country’s food security, generating employment, and advancing aquaculture innovation. This year, the celebrations are taking place at the ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, and will be graced by senior Union Ministers and state officials, including Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Ministers of State S.P. Singh Baghel and George Kurian, and Odisha’s Fisheries Minister Gokulananda Mallick.
The day is observed in memory of Dr. Hiralal Chaudhury and Dr. K. H. Alikunhi, who pioneered induced breeding in Indian Major Carps using the Hypophysation technique in 1957. This scientific breakthrough marked the beginning of India’s inland aquaculture revolution, transforming the fisheries sector into a significant contributor to rural livelihoods and the national economy.
This year’s celebrations will feature the launch of several key initiatives, including the announcement of new Fisheries Clusters, the release of the ICAR Training Calendar, and the unveiling of guidelines on seed certification and hatchery operations. These efforts aim to promote quality assurance, standardization, and capacity building across the fisheries sector. During the event, outstanding beneficiaries, such as traditional fishers, cooperatives, FFPOs, Kisan Credit Card holders, and fisheries start-ups, will also be felicitated.
India’s fisheries sector has witnessed substantial growth over the past decade. With a cumulative central investment of Rs 38,572 crore since 2015, the country’s total fish production has more than doubled, from 95.79 lakh tonnes in FY 2013–14 to a record 195 lakh tonnes in FY 2024–25. Inland fisheries and aquaculture alone have grown by 140%, underscoring the sector's robust expansion.
Seafood exports have also seen significant gains, crossing Rs 60,500 crore, largely driven by a 270% surge in shrimp production. This growth has reinforced India’s leadership in the global seafood market and has created lakhs of jobs, particularly in coastal and rural communities.
Senior officials from state governments across the country are expected to attend the event, which will also include virtual foundation stone-laying ceremonies and the inauguration of various PMMSY-supported fisheries projects. The Union Minister will deliver a keynote address highlighting the sector’s progress, challenges, and emerging opportunities.
