Indian fisheries have undergone a significant transformation, shifting from predominantly marine fisheries to a focus on inland fisheries. Recognised as a ‘Sunrise Sector’, it plays a crucial role in the country’s economy, contributing substantially to national income, exports, and food security. Over the years, fish production has seen remarkable growth, from 7.5 Lakhs MT in 1950-51 to 141 Lakhs MT presently, supporting around 28 million people, mainly from marginalized communities.
In recent years, India has emerged as the world’s third-largest fish producer and the second-largest aquaculture nation after China, contributing 8% to global production and around 7% to agricultural Gross Value Added (GVA). The inland fisheries sector, in particular, has witnessed a significant rise, accounting for 70% of total fish production.
A study by the National Council for Applied Economics Research (NCAER) revealed that Indian households consume approximately 5 kg of fish per month, making India one of the top 5 fish-exporting countries globally. The country’s export earnings from marine products reached US$ 7.76 billion in 2021-22.
India boasts abundant freshwater, brackish water, and marine resources, with vast inland aquatic resources and extensive coastline. With the promotion of scientific practices, inland fisheries now contribute significantly to total fish production.
The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) aims to further enhance the sector’s potential by doubling fish production and productivity, modernising the value chain, and generating employment opportunities. The scheme targets a fish production of 22 million metric tonnes by 2024-25 and aims to increase domestic fish consumption from 5 g to 12 kg per capita.
However, the sector faces challenges such as the lack of a temperature-controlled supply chain and unorganized marketing of fish products. PMMSY addresses these issues through improved infrastructure, value addition, credit support for fishermen, and knowledge dissemination.
With concerted efforts and focused initiatives like PMMSY, the fisheries sector has the potential to become a crucial source of income and employment, ensuring equitable and inclusive growth while contributing significantly to nutritional security and the overall economy.