Syllabus: Sectors of Economy
Sectoral Importance
- Fisheries and aquaculture are among India’s fastest-growing food-producing sectors.
- They support livelihoods, nutrition, exports and rural employment.
- However, pressures from overfishing, habitat loss, pollution and climate change threaten sustainability.
- Small-scale fishers face limited access to credit, technology, markets and traceability systems.
India’s Production Trends
- As per SOFIA 2024, global capture fisheries produced 92.3 million tonnes; aquaculture reached 130.9 million tonnes.
- India produced 10.23 million tonnes, becoming the world’s second-largest aquaculture producer.
- India’s total aquatic output rose from 2.44 million tonnes (1980s) to 17.54 million tonnes (2022-23).
- Aquaculture is the major growth driver, supported by technology, infrastructure and institutions such as ICAR, MPEDA, and NFDB.
Policy Reforms and Government Initiatives
- The Blue Revolution and Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) accelerated inland and brackish-water aquaculture.
- Key reforms include vessel transponders, Kisan Credit Cards for fishers, Matsya Seva Kendras, and climate-resilient village initiatives.
- The draft National Fisheries Policy 2020 and coastal aquaculture regulation aim to improve safety, sustainability and environmental compliance.
FAO’s Collaboration with India
- FAO partnered India since the Bay of Bengal Programme (BOBP) to enhance technologies, sea safety and post-harvest handling.
- FAO’s BOBLME project supported ecosystem-based fisheries management and action plans against Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.
- A GEF-funded project in Andhra Pradesh promotes climate-resilient, low-impact aquaculture using GSA and EAA principles.
- FAO’s Technical Cooperation Programme supports modernisation of fishing ports such as Vanakbara and Jakhau.
Sustainability Priorities
- India must focus on science-based stock assessment, co-managed Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS), stronger certification and digital traceability.
- Inclusive policies for smallholders are essential to boost competitiveness and achieve resilient, low-carbon aquatic food systems.