Source: PIB
Context:
The Union Budget 2026-27 has signaled a major push for the integrated development of 500 reservoirs and Amrit Sarovars. Led by the Department of Fisheries, this initiative aims to transform India’s vast freshwater resources into high-productivity hubs, empowering fish farmers through technology and market access.
INDIA’S POSITION IN GLOBAL FISHERIES
India has undergone a massive transformation in its “Blue Economy” over the last decade.
- Global Rank: India is the 2nd largest fish producer and 2nd largest aquaculture producer in the world.
- Production Surge: National fish production has increased by 106% since 2013-14, reaching a record 197.75 lakh tonnes in 2024-25.
- Inland Dominance: Interestingly, 75% of India’s total fish production now comes from inland fisheries (freshwater, brackish, and saline) rather than the sea.
THE POWER OF RESERVOIRS
Reservoirs are the “sleeping giants” of Indian fisheries, covering over 31.50 lakh hectares.
- Productivity Gains: Average productivity in reservoirs has doubled from 50 kg/hectare in 2006 to 100 kg/hectare today.
- Regional Leaders: Madhya Pradesh holds the largest area under reservoirs (6 lakh hectares), while Tamil Nadu boasts the highest number (over 8,000).
- Key Species: Stocking primarily focuses on Indian Major Carps (Catla, Rohu, Mrigal) alongside high-growth species like Tilapia and Pangasius.
CAGE CULTURE TECHNOLOGY
The shift from traditional “capture” fishing to “culture” fishing in reservoirs is driven by cage technology.
- Design: Cages are made of synthetic mesh supported by floating structures (rectangular or circular).
- Advantages: Ensures natural water flow for oxygen and nutrient exchange.
- Easier monitoring, feeding, and disease management.
- High density: Productivity can reach up to 3 tonnes of fish from just a few cages, as seen in the success stories from Jharkhand’s Chandil reservoir.
VALUE CHAINS & CLUSTERS
To reach the ICAR-CIFRI vision of 300 kg per hectare, the government is moving away from isolated stocking to an “End-to-End” value chain approach.
- Cluster-Based Strategy: Implemented by the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), this involves creating integrated hubs (e.g., the new cluster at Indra Sagar dam, MP).
- Infrastructure Loop: Converged development of hatcheries, feed mills, ice plants, refrigerated trucks, and auction centers.
- Mission Amrit Sarovar: Integrating fisheries into the 50,000+ ponds developed for water conservation. Even ornamental fish farming is being successfully tested in regions like Arunachal Pradesh.
THE BLUE REVOLUTION (PMMSY)
The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) is the flagship scheme driving these changes. It follows the “Cluster approach” to create economies of scale.
- Input Support: Subsidized seeds, feed, and cages for farmers.
- Aggregation: Forming Fish Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs) to give small farmers better bargaining power in the market.
- Modernization: Using technology (like circular cages) to diversify species and increase export potential.
CONCEPTUAL MCQs FOR REVISION
Q1. What is India’s global rank in both total fish production and aquaculture production?
A) 1st
B) 2nd
C) 3rd
D) 5th
Q2. Which state in India has the maximum area covered by reservoirs?
A) Jharkhand
B) Tamil Nadu
C) Madhya Pradesh
D) Arunachal Pradesh
Q3. What is the primary technology being used to increase fish productivity in large reservoirs like Chandil?
A) Deep-sea Trawling
B) Cage Culture Technology
C) Bottom-set Gillnets
D) Traditional Angling
Q4. According to ICAR-CIFRI, what is the potential productivity goal for Indian reservoirs per hectare?
A) 50 kg
B) 100 kg
C) 300 kg
D) 1000 kg
Answers: 1-B, 2-C, 3-B, 4-C
