India’s fisheries sector has received a major financial boost, with the Department of Fisheries releasing ₹2,208.74 crore to states and Union Territories over the last three financial years under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). The funding is aimed at accelerating the holistic development of fisheries and aquaculture while strengthening fish production, productivity, infrastructure, and exports across the country.
The details were shared by Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Rajiv Ranjan Singh, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.
₹2,208.74 Crore Released Under PMMSY
According to the minister, the Centre released ₹2,208.74 crore to states and Union Territories between 2023–24 and 2025–26 under PMMSY. During the same period, the Central Government approved projects worth ₹3,159.83 crore under the flagship fisheries scheme.
The minister explained that annual fund allocation under PMMSY is based on multiple factors, including the overall budgetary allocation, states’ performance, fund utilisation capacity, physical and financial progress, and liabilities arising from previously approved projects.
He also clarified that there is no disparity in the allocation of PMMSY funds among states and Union Territories, with allocations determined through a structured evaluation process rather than fixed state-wise quotas.
Fish Production Increases Nearly 40% Since 2019–20
Highlighting the progress of India’s fisheries sector, the minister informed Parliament that the country’s fish production increased by 39.61%, rising from 141.64 lakh tonnes in 2019–20 to 197.75 lakh tonnes in 2024–25.
The increase reflects continued growth in inland fisheries, aquaculture, and marine fisheries, supported by investments in infrastructure, production technologies, seed quality, and fisheries development initiatives implemented under PMMSY and other government programmes.
India has consistently ranked among the world’s leading fish-producing nations, with fisheries emerging as one of the fastest-growing segments of the agriculture sector.
Seafood Exports Cross ₹73,000 Crore
India’s seafood exports have also witnessed significant growth during the period.
According to the minister, the value of fisheries exports increased by 58.34%, rising from ₹46,666 crore in 2019–20 to ₹73,890 crore in 2025–26.
The steady growth in export earnings reflects increasing global demand for Indian seafood products, particularly farmed shrimp, frozen fish, cephalopods, and value-added seafood products. Export growth has also been supported by improvements in processing infrastructure, quality standards, and international market access.
PMMSY Driving Fisheries Development
Launched to promote sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) focuses on enhancing fish production, improving productivity, strengthening post-harvest infrastructure, promoting value addition, and generating employment opportunities across the fisheries value chain.
The minister stated that projects implemented under PMMSY have played an important role in increasing fish production and boosting seafood exports while supporting the overall development of the sector.
Digital Monitoring Through PMMSY Management Information System
To improve implementation and transparency, the Department of Fisheries has developed the PMMSY Management Information System (MIS), a centralized digital platform designed to monitor fisheries projects across the country.
The portal compiles district- and state-level information, enabling officials to track physical and financial progress, evaluate project performance, and identify implementation challenges. The system also supports the issuance of need-based advisories and facilitates regular reviews through physical meetings, virtual interactions, and field inspections.
According to the ministry, this digital monitoring framework is helping improve fund utilisation and ensuring that approved projects progress efficiently across states and Union Territories.
Strengthening India’s Blue Economy
The latest figures presented in Parliament indicate that sustained public investment under PMMSY continues to support the expansion of India’s fisheries and aquaculture sector. With fish production approaching 198 lakh tonnes and seafood exports nearing ₹74,000 crore, the sector has become an increasingly important contributor to rural livelihoods, nutritional security, employment generation, and foreign exchange earnings.
As PMMSY implementation progresses, continued investments in infrastructure, technology adoption, value addition, and efficient project monitoring are expected to further strengthen India’s fisheries sector and support the country’s broader Blue Economy objectives.
