Bhubaneswar: Odisha has set an ambitious target to double its fish production by the next year, with current output standing at 11.92 lakh metric tonnes, as the state government pushes ahead with its long-term development roadmap under Vision 2036.
A high-level review meeting of district fisheries officers was held at the Krushi Bhavan auditorium in Bhubaneswar, chaired by Minister for Fisheries and Animal Resources Development and MSME, Gokulananda Mallik.
The minister said the vision of a developed India through a developed Odisha can be achieved only when rural farmers and fishers progress economically. He stressed that strengthening rural livelihoods remains central to the state’s development strategy.
During the meeting, key welfare and development schemes, including the Chief Minister Fishermen Welfare Scheme, Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, and Chief Minister Krishi Udyog Yojana, were reviewed in detail.
Officials informed that Odisha has emerged as a leading state in fish production and seafood exports, with steady growth in the sector. The state has now fixed a target to significantly scale up production within the next year as part of its expansion strategy.
The minister directed officials to focus on empowering rural women through fish farming initiatives and to encourage educated youth to adopt modern aquaculture practices such as biofloc and cage culture technologies.
He also highlighted integrated farming models combining paddy cultivation with fish farming to improve farmers’ income through dual livelihood systems. Special emphasis was placed on initiatives like the Shrimp Mission, deep-sea fishing expansion, and the use of advanced aquaculture technologies.
Discussions were also held on improving the productivity of water bodies through cage fish farming and other innovative methods, aimed at enhancing output from reservoirs across the state.
To improve safety in the fisheries sector, the state has strengthened measures, including ISRO transponders fitted on fishing boats and the distribution of life jackets to fishermen operating in marine areas.
Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Department, Prem Chandra Chaudhary, urged officials to ensure effective implementation of all schemes and maintain close coordination for achieving departmental targets.
Senior officials and district fisheries officers from across the state attended the review meeting and discussed ongoing progress and future action plans.
