India has taken a step towards promoting organic aquaculture with Soreng district in Sikkim becoming the country’s first notified Organic Fisheries Cluster under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
The initiative aims to promote environmentally sustainable fish farming, strengthen certification systems and create better market opportunities for farmers producing organic fish.
Union Fisheries Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh announced the development during his visit to Sikkim, where he launched a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for organic fisheries certification in the Northeast and inaugurated fisheries projects worth ₹3.75 crore.
What Makes Soreng an Organic Fisheries Cluster?
The Soreng cluster will focus on fish production without harmful chemicals, antibiotics and pesticides. The initiative will particularly promote the farming of Amur carp, Indian Major Carps and trout.
Sikkim’s established organic farming ecosystem is expected to support this initiative. By extending organic practices to fisheries, the government aims to improve farmers’ incomes and develop premium markets for organic fish products, both within India and internationally.
New SOP for Organic Fish Certification
A key part of the initiative is the newly launched SOP for organic fisheries in the Northeast.
The framework will establish procedures for organic fish production and certification while supporting traceability across the value chain.
Traceability is particularly important for organic seafood because buyers need confidence in how fish are produced, handled and supplied. A structured certification system could help farmers demonstrate compliance with organic production standards and improve access to high-value markets.
₹3.75 Crore Projects to Strengthen Fisheries Infrastructure
During the visit, the Union Fisheries Minister inaugurated projects worth ₹3.75 crore covering important infrastructure and production technologies.
The projects include:
- Fish hatcheries
- Fish feed mills
- Cold storage facilities
- Biofloc aquaculture systems
- Recirculatory Aquaculture Systems (RAS)
These facilities are expected to strengthen the fisheries value chain, from seed production and farming to storage, processing and marketing.
Government Support for Fish Farmers
The minister also visited a live fish vending centre established with PMMSY support and interacted with members of fish farmers’ cooperative societies.
Fish feed was distributed to 15 farmers belonging to two cooperative societies. Kisan Credit Cards were also provided to fish farmers to improve access to institutional credit. Additionally, five farmers received financial assistance through the Mukhya Mantri Matsya Uthpadhan Yojana (MMMUY).
ITBP Agreement Creates a Market for Rainbow Trout
Another important development is the memorandum of understanding signed between the Sikkim government and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) for institutional procurement of locally produced Rainbow Trout.
The arrangement aims to provide a stable market for trout farmers through regular supplies to ITBP establishments.
It includes provisions covering quality standards, pricing, supply capacity, inspection procedures and delivery schedules. Such institutional procurement arrangements can help farmers gain greater market certainty and reduce dependence on uncertain market channels.
Can Organic Fisheries Create New Opportunities?
Soreng’s recognition highlights an approach that connects sustainable production with certification, infrastructure and organised marketing.
For fish farmers, organic certification alone may not guarantee better returns. Reliable seed supply, suitable feed, production standards, traceability and assured buyers will also be important for building a commercially viable organic fisheries sector.
With the launch of the new SOP and the development of supporting infrastructure, Sikkim is positioning Soreng as a model for organic aquaculture in India. The success of this cluster could offer valuable lessons for expanding sustainable fish production and strengthening market access for farmers across the country.
