India Targets 30 Million Tonnes in Fish Production Over Next Five Years

India has set a target of reaching 30 million tonnes in fish production over the next five years, according to Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary of the Department of Fisheries. Alongside this production goal, seafood exports are projected to rise to ₹1.25 lakh crore.

Speaking at the launch of India's development phase of the National Plan of Action (NPOA) for small-scale inland fisheries, Likhi noted that the country's current annual fish production stands at 19.7 million tonnes. Inland fisheries account for approximately three-fourths of this total output, while current seafood exports have crossed ₹70,000 crore.

Despite these growth figures, Likhi emphasized that increases in production and exports must coincide with measures to secure the livelihoods of small-scale fishers. The NPOA initiative is being developed under the framework of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), led by the Union Department of Fisheries in collaboration with the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO).

A recent two-day national workshop held in Bhopal helped identify key priorities for the action plan, establishing a framework for stakeholder consultations and community outreach. Experts from various fisheries institutions contributed to outlining the activities required for the development phase.

During his address, Likhi pointed to climate change and deteriorating water quality—such as declining oxygen levels in water bodies—as critical challenges facing inland fisheries. He stated that the action plan must integrate climate resilience measures based on the direct experiences of fishing communities.

Furthermore, Likhi called for a mission-mode outreach programme to ensure the national action plan reaches fishing communities nationwide. He stressed that the resulting document must translate into practical livelihood improvements rather than remaining limited to government offices, while prioritizing sustainability and strengthening value chains to enhance fishers' incomes.

P Krishnan, Director of BOBP-IGO, noted that the development phase will address several key areas, including fishing rights, resource management, employment, gender equality, value chains, post-harvest trade, disaster risks, and climate change.

The action plan is scheduled to be finalized through ongoing stakeholder consultations ahead of its public launch next month, which will be followed by formal implementation.

"The target to scale fish production to 30 million tonnes and exports to ₹1.25 lakh crore presents significant commercial opportunities across the supply chain, particularly in cold-chain logistics, processing, and post-harvest infrastructure. For enterprises and entrepreneurs operating in the agri-tech and marine sectors, aligning business models with sustainable resource management and climate resilience will be essential to capturing long-term value in this expanding market." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes