The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying is organizing a high-level review meeting on 21 September 2026 in Kolkata to assess progress on fisheries and aquaculture development schemes in West Bengal. Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh and West Bengal Chief Minister Shri Suvendu Adhikari will co-chair the meeting, marking the first apex-level fisheries review for the state in over a decade. The meeting aims to create a roadmap for sustainable growth in the sector.
What the meeting will cover
The review will bring together officials from the Department of Fisheries, the West Bengal state fisheries department, the National Fisheries Development Board, research institutes, the Indian Coast Guard, NABARD, and other agencies. Representatives will present progress on various central and state schemes and discuss future priorities.
Key topics for discussion include:
- Increasing fish production and expanding aquaculture
- Adopting new technologies in fisheries
- Building post-harvest infrastructure and processing facilities
- Strengthening market connections for fish products
- Supporting fisheries farmer producer organizations and cooperatives
- Developing fisheries clusters across the state
- Promoting digital systems in the fisheries sector
The meeting will also see the formal handing over of Administrative Approval for Integrated Reservoir Development in West Bengal. Currently, the state is India’s second-largest fish producer, contributing 25.43 lakh tonnes of fish in 2025-26. The government has invested Rs 617 crore across various schemes to strengthen production, post-harvest work, and skill development. The sector provides livelihood to over 30 lakh fisher folk. The government has also notified 34 fisheries production and processing clusters in the state, including a dry fish cluster in Purba Mednipur.
What this means for you
If you are a fisher, fish farmer, or work in aquaculture in West Bengal, this meeting could lead to better support for your livelihood through improved technology, market access, and infrastructure. The focus on farmer producer organizations and digital systems may make it easier to sell your catch and access government schemes. Consumers may eventually benefit from stronger supply chains and better quality fish products from the state.