The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAH&D), Government of India is set to commemorate National Fish Farmers Day 2025 at the ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA) in Bhubaneswar. The event will be attended by Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Ministers of State S P Singh Baghel and George Kurian, and Odisha Fisheries Minister Gokulananda Mallick.
The day honours the landmark achievement of induced breeding in Indian Major Carps using the hypophysation technique by Dr Hiralal Chaudhury and Dr K H Alikunhi on this date in 1957. This scientific breakthrough laid the foundation for India’s inland aquaculture revolution and is annually marked to recognise the vital contributions of fish farmers, entrepreneurs and fishers to national food security, nutrition, employment and the Blue Economy.
India’s fisheries sector has witnessed dramatic progress. With cumulative government investment reaching ₹385.72 billion since 2015, fish production has more than doubled—from 9.579 million tonnes in FY 2013–14 to a record 19.5 million tonnes in FY 2024–25, a 104 percent increase. Inland fisheries and aquaculture alone have grown by 140 percent over the same period. Seafood exports have crossed ₹605 billion, driven especially by a 270 percent surge in shrimp production over the past decade, creating widespread employment and empowering fishing communities.
During the celebration, the Union Minister will launch several key initiatives, including the declaration of new Fisheries Clusters, release of the ICAR Training Calendar, and unveiling of guidelines on seed certification and hatchery operations. These steps are aimed at enhancing quality assurance, promoting standardisation and strengthening capacity building across the sector.
Select fisheries projects under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) will be inaugurated through virtual foundation stone ceremonies, reaffirming the government’s commitment to infrastructure development and entrepreneurship. Beneficiaries including traditional fishers, cooperatives, FFPOs, Kisan Credit Card holders and promising fisheries startups will be felicitated.
The Minister’s keynote address will spotlight sectoral achievements and highlight emerging opportunities and best practices in sustainable aquaculture and innovation. Senior officers from State Governments are participating in the celebration, recognising the indispensable contributions of fish farmers and affirming a collaborative national vision for a robust and inclusive fisheries ecosystem.
