Blue Revolution 2.0: Reservoir Fisheries Push After Budget 2026-27
Why in the news
The Union Budget 2026-27 has pointed to a big push to turn reservoirs and Amrit Sarovars into productive fish-farming hubs, using technology and better market links for farmers.
Key facts
| Indicator | Detail |
|---|---|
| Global rank | 2nd in fish production and in aquaculture |
| Production | 197.75 lakh tonnes in 2024-25, up 106% since 2013-14 |
| Inland share | 75% of output |
| Reservoir area | Over 31.50 lakh hectares |
| Reservoir yield | 50 kg/ha in 2006, now 100 kg/ha; target 300 kg/ha (ICAR-CIFRI) |
| Largest reservoir area | Madhya Pradesh, 6 lakh hectares |
| Most reservoirs | Tamil Nadu, over 8,000 |
Technology and value chains
- Cage culture: synthetic mesh on floating frames, rectangular or circular; water flows naturally and monitoring, feeding and disease control are easier. Jharkhand’s Chandil reservoir reached up to 3 tonnes from a few cages.
- Stocked species: Catla, Rohu, Mrigal, plus Tilapia and Pangasius.
- NFDB cluster approach with linked hatcheries, feed mills, ice plants, refrigerated trucks and auction centres; a new cluster is at Indra Sagar dam, Madhya Pradesh.
- Mission Amrit Sarovar: fisheries added to 50,000+ ponds built for water conservation; ornamental fish trials in Arunachal Pradesh.
About PMMSY
- Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana is the flagship scheme, using a cluster approach for economies of scale.
- Input support: subsidised seed, feed and cages.
- Aggregation: Fish Farmer Producer Organizations for bargaining power.
- Modernisation: new tech such as circular cages to diversify species and raise exports.
Exam angle
- Scheme: PMMSY; body: NFDB; Department of Fisheries.
- Indian Major Carps: Catla, Rohu, Mrigal.