Bhubaneswar: The Centre on Wednesday reviewed the implementation of fisheries and aquaculture schemes in Odisha, with Union Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh urging the state to strengthen its fisheries value chain, boost seafood exports and accelerate the implementation of key development projects.
The review meeting, organised by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, was chaired by Singh in the presence of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and Panchayati Raj Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel, and Odisha Fisheries, Animal Resources Development & MSME Minister Gokulananda Mallik.
Officials from the Department of Fisheries, Odisha Fisheries Department, National Fisheries Development Board, ICAR institutes, National Cooperative Development Corporation, and Paradip Port Trust also attended, according to an official statement.
Ranjan Singh appreciated Odisha’s emergence as a major fisheries hub with a diversified freshwater, brackish water, and marine fisheries base.
The state recorded 12.70 lakh metric tonnes of fish production during 2025-26, supporting more than 16 lakh fishers and generating Rs 5,429 crore in seafood exports.
He noted that projects worth over Rs 1,301 crore have been approved for Odisha under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). These projects focus on fish production enhancement, infrastructure development, technology adoption, fisher welfare, and post-harvest facilities.
Ranjan Singh urged the Odisha government to unlock the state’s untapped export potential by fostering closer collaboration among fishers, fish farmers, exporters, cooperatives, Fish Farmer Producer Organisations, and other stakeholders.
He also called for enhanced capacity building, greater value addition through modern processing, and diversification of fish species and fisheries products to improve competitiveness, expand export opportunities, and increase incomes.
Dr Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary, Department of Fisheries, stressed the need for effective convergence between Central schemes, state initiatives, financial institutions and research organisations. He emphasised timely project execution, outcome-based monitoring, innovation, sustainability and institutional strengthening to accelerate the growth of Odisha’s fisheries sector.
A detailed presentation by Dr Surabhi Rai, Joint Secretary, Department of Fisheries, government of India, reviewed the implementation of major Central schemes in Odisha, including the PMMSY, Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund, Kisan Credit Card and PM-MKSSY.
The presentation covered progress in fisheries infrastructure, fishing harbours, hatcheries, feed mills, reservoir cage culture, climate-resilient coastal fishing villages, artificial reefs, fisheries cooperatives and FFPOs. It also identified areas requiring greater attention, including KCC coverage, traceability, project implementation, and export-oriented value chain development.
