The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has highlighted the role of advanced fish farming technologies in India’s fisheries sector. The announcement focuses on how newer aquaculture methods are reshaping fish production and exports across the country, benefiting farmers and contributing to national economic goals.
The Numbers and Technology
India is now the world’s second-largest fish producer, accounting for roughly 8 per cent of global fish production. The country is also the largest shrimp producer and exporter globally. Fish production has doubled over the past decade, rising from 95.79 lakh tonnes in 2013-14 to 198 lakh tonnes in 2024-25. Seafood exports have grown even faster, increasing from ₹30,213 crore in 2013-14 to ₹73,890 crore in 2025-26.
Two modern farming methods are now central to this expansion:
- Recirculatory Aquaculture Systems (RAS): These use water treatment technology to recycle 90-95 per cent of water, allowing fish farming in controlled environments near cities and export centres.
- Biofloc technology: This uses beneficial microorganisms to improve water quality and support fish growth in controlled settings.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), the government has approved 9,467 RAS units and 4,573 Biofloc units. These systems enable year-round farming and have received ₹4,120 crore in investment since 2015. In total, the government has invested over ₹39,272 crore across fisheries schemes since 2015.
These technologies are being used to farm premium-value fish like trout in cold-water regions of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, as well as for export-oriented shrimp farming in brackish waters and ornamental fish production.
What this means for you
If you are a fish farmer, these modern systems can help you produce fish year-round in places where traditional farming was not possible, potentially increasing your income. For those interested in aquaculture as a business, government support through PMMSY makes adopting these technologies more affordable. For consumers, better farming practices should mean more reliable supply of quality fish. For the country, these advances support job creation in rural areas and strengthen India’s position in global seafood markets.