- Fisheries revolution gained momentum with Rs 900 crore from the Government of India and Rs 300 crore from the State Government.
- Raipur, Dhamtari and Kanker clusters will be developed in the state to increase tilapia production.
- Projects worth Rs 956.86 crore approved under PM Matsya Sampada Yojana
- Special focus of the Centre and the State on modern technology, exports and increasing farmers’ income
Shri Avilakshya Lekhi, Secretary, Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, stated that the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, implemented under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, is a transformative initiative to economically empower the country’s fish farmers. Through the scheme’s various components, modern technology, financial assistance, and infrastructure are being provided to fish farmers across the states, leading to significant changes in the fisheries sector.
He said that in order to provide benefits of the schemes to small and medium scale fish farmers who do not have easy access to banking services, the officials have been instructed to establish better coordination with the banks and work with sensitivity so that no eligible farmer is deprived of the schemes.
Union Secretary Shri Lekhi stated that Chhattisgarh has immense potential for fish production, and to realize this, the Central Government is developing 34 fish clusters in various states across the country. These include the Tilapia Cluster in Chhattisgarh. She explained that the Central Government has already approved and spent approximately ₹900 crore on various fisheries sector projects in the state. These have yielded positive results, with a significant increase in tilapia production capacity. She described this as an important achievement in the development of the fisheries sector.
He said that today, fish produced in Chhattisgarh are being exported to international markets, including Ireland and Chicago. More than 2,000 farmers in the state are raising tilapia. To connect these farmers with global markets, special emphasis was placed on developing an action plan for exposure visits, establishing new hatcheries for high-quality fish seed production, and expanding modern technologies. During the program, he interacted with fish farmers and received their suggestions.
On this occasion, Agriculture Production Commissioner and Secretary, Fisheries Department said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Vishnudev Sai, the Chhattisgarh government is continuously working to make fisheries a powerful medium to increase the income of farmers and fishermen. Today, the state has reached the fourth position in the country in fish seed production and sixth position in fish production. 9.59 lakh metric tonnes of fish is being produced in approximately 2.08 lakh hectares of water area in the state. There are 2021 registered fisheries cooperative societies, 1662 self-help groups, 123 fish hatcheries, 102 fish seed production farms and 4 wholesale fish markets operating in the state.
Mr. Pardeshi stated that under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, projects worth ₹956.86 crore have been approved for the state over the past six years, of which ₹272.37 crore have been released. Biofloc, RAS, cage culture, pond construction, live fish vending centers, cold storage, feed mills, and other modern infrastructure have been rapidly expanded under the scheme. An aqua park is also being established at the Bango Reservoir in Korba district at a cost of ₹37.10 crore.
Agriculture Production Commissioner Mr. Pardeshi said that the department has prepared a comprehensive action plan for the year 2026-27, which aims to expand modern technologies, strengthen fisheries infrastructure, promote marketing and value addition and provide employment and financial assistance to thousands of families through Dharti Aba Tribal Village Excellence Campaign. Tilapia clusters are being developed in Raipur, Dhamtari and Kanker districts under ‘Nava Anjor/2047’. An action plan of Rs 37,857 lakh has been approved for the year 2026-27 under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana.
At the event, the Union Secretary directed officials to make coordinated efforts to increase fish production, enhance farmers’ income, financial inclusion, quality seed production, and further strengthen export potential. Representatives from various organizations, including NABARD, MPEDA (DMC), CIFA (CIFA), were present at the meeting. Finally, Director of the Fisheries Department, Mr. N.S. Nag, expressed his gratitude. A large number of fish farmers and the Chairman of the Chhattisgarh State Fishermen’s Board were present.