The Union Minister, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh inaugurated and laid the foundation for 50 key projects worth Rs. 50 crores under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) covering all North East Region States Except Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram, today in Guwahati, Assam. The Northeastern States Meet to review the implementation of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) was also graced by Union Ministers of State, Prof. S P Baghel and Shri George Kurian, Ministers in-charge of Fisheries from other North Eastern Region States, Secretary Fisheries, Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi along with several eminent dignitaries.
To continue the efforts for sustainable development of fisheries in the North Eastern Region, Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh notified and launched the Organic Fisheries Cluster in Soreng District of Sikkim, being First of Its Kind in India, for development of organic fisheries and aquaculture in the State of Sikkim under the PMMSY, at North Eastern Region State Meet-2025, today in Guwahati, Assam marking a significant step towards sustainable development of the fisheries in the State. The Government of Sikkim has already embraced organic farming, which has helped in building a strong reputation for sustainable and eco-friendly agricultural practices. Introducing organic fisheries and aquaculture will align with the state’s broader vision of promoting organic, sustainable, and environmentally friendly practices across all sectors.
Move Towards Sustainability: Organic is the Way Forward
Organic fisheries cluster focuses on ecologically healthy fish farming system avoiding the use of harmful chemicals, antibiotics and pesticides. This also ensures minimal environmental pollution and prevents damage to aquatic ecosystems, contributing to sustainable fish production practices. Organic products typically attract a premium in both domestic and international markets. By establishing an organic aquaculture cluster, Sikkim could tap into this growing market and export of organic fish and fish products. An organic fisheries and aquaculture cluster in Sikkim with special focus on amur carp along with other carps would offer a range of economic, environmental, and social benefits. By integrating organic fish farming into the state’s already successful organic farming framework, Sikkim can position itself as a pioneer in sustainable aquaculture. This could not only enhance the state’s agricultural economy but also contribute to the global shift toward sustainable, eco-friendly food production.
National Bank for Agriculture & Rural Development(NABARD) is a key stakeholder in developing the fisheries and aquaculture organic cluster in Sikkim. NABARD besides providing financial and technical supports for the requisite fisheries infrastructure and capacity building, will also facilitate in growth of the organic cluster by engaging fishers’ cooperatives and formation of fisheries-based Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs) in the State. This initiative will also encourage private investment in aquaculture infrastructure and technology, branding of Sikkim cold water fisheries, attract tourism as well as strengthen the value chain, empower local fishers and fish farmers, and foster sustainable growth in the fisheries sector in the State of Sikkim.
Cluster Based Approach: To Enhance Farmer Incomes, Strengthen Fisheries Value Chain
The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), a scheme to bring about Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of fisheries sector in India, implemented by the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying in all the States and Union Territories (UTs) inter-alia provides adoption of a cluster-based approach to enhance the competitiveness of the fisheries sector, facilitate economies of scale, generate higher incomes, accelerate the growth and expansion of fisheries and aquaculture in an organized manner..
The cluster-based approach enhances competitiveness and efficiency by uniting geographically connected enterprises of all sizes like micro, small, medium, and large across the entire fisheries value chain, from production to exports. This collaborative model improves financial viability through strong linkages, addresses the value chain gaps, and creates new business opportunities and livelihoods. By fostering partnerships and resource sharing, it aims to reduce costs, promote innovation, and support sustainable practices.
The Department of Fisheries has envisaged a strategic focus on cluster-based development as production and processing clusters across key areas including Pearl, Seaweed, Ornamental Fisheries, Reservoir Fisheries, Fishing Harbour, Saline Water Aquaculture, Cold Water Fisheries, Sea Cage Culture, Freshwater Aquaculture, Brackish-water Fisheries, Island Fisheries Clusters, Organic Fisheries, Wetland Fisheries and other areas as per the sectoral and location specific needs. These clusters will engage varied value chain stakeholders such as fishers, enterprises, individuals, Self Help Groups (SHGs), Joint Liability Groups (JLGs), Fish Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs), fish famers, processors, transporters, fish vendors including retailers, wholesalers, consumers, cooperatives, fisheries start-ups and other entities for sustainable development of fisheries and aquaculture. Department of Fisheries, Government of India has already notified four fisheries related clusters being Pearl Cluster in Hazaribagh District of Jharkhand, Ornamental Fisheries Cluster in Madurai District of Tamil Nadu, Seaweed Cluster in UT of Lakshadweep and Tuna Cluster in Andaman & Nicobar.
Fisheries Focus in the North East Region
The Northeastern Region (NER) is at the forefront of India’s journey toward self-reliance in fisheries and aquaculture, reflecting the government’s unwavering commitment to inclusive development. With its abundant freshwater resources and exceptional aquatic biodiversity, the NER is not merely a region of potential but a dynamic hub of progress. Recognized globally as a biodiversity hotspot, the NER has become a cornerstone of India’s strategy for economic growth and livelihood enhancement.
The government has approved cumulative investments amounting to ₹2,114 crore for fisheries through flagship schemes such as the Blue Revolution Scheme, the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), and the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). These initiatives have significantly bolstered infrastructure, improved productivity, and strengthened sustainable practices. As a result, inland fish production in the NER has surged from 4.03 lakh tonnes in 2014-15 to 6.41 lakh tonnes in 2023-24, achieving an impressive annual growth rate of 5%.
Such achievements underscore the effectiveness of dynamic policies and targeted interventions that have firmly positioned the NER as a key driver of India’s Blue Economy vision. Department of Fisheries (DoF) has prioritized the NER as a critical focal point for growth. Its initiatives include establishing modern aquaculture parks, hatcheries, and fish processing units, while promoting innovative technologies like Biofloc systems and recirculatory aquaculture systems (RAS). These efforts aim to enhance productivity, strengthen value chains, and boost market access for fish farmers. To further this momentum, inauguration/ foundation stone was laid of 50 impactful projects with an outlay of Rs. 50 crore today involving central share of Rs. 38.63 crore that aim to generate 4,530 employment opportunities both direct and indirect in the NER Region. Details are as under:
| Sr.No. | Project | Units |
| 1 | Establishment of Hatchery | 12 |
| 2 | Ice plant/Cold storage | 2 |
| 3 | Integrated Development of Reservoir | 1 |
| 4 | Promotion of Recreational Fisheries | 1 |
| 5 | Establishment of Medium Scale Ornamental Fish Rearing Unit | 4 |
| 6 | Establishment of small RAS | 12 |
| 7 | Construction of Fish Kiosks including aquarium and ornamental fish | 10 |
| 8 | Biofloc | 2 |
| 9 | Feed Plant | 1 |
| 10 | Mini Fish Feed Mill | 1 |
| 11 | Establishment of breeding unit | 3 |
| 12 | Integrated Aquapark | 1 |
| 50 |
The fisheries and aquaculture sector plays a critical role in India’s economy, providing livelihoods to approximately 3 crore fishers and fish farmers while generating significant employment opportunities across the value chain. India is the world’s second-largest fish producer, contributing 8% to global output, ranks second in aquaculture production, leads in shrimp production and export, and is the third-largest producer in capture fisheries. Since 2015, the Government of India has committed ₹38,572 crore through key initiatives such as the Blue Revolution Scheme, Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), and its sub-scheme, Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY), to drive sustainable growth and development in the sector.