Fisheries and Aquaculture comprise an important sector of food production in India, contributing sizably to the food basket. In India, this promising sector provides livelihood, employment and entrepreneurship to more than 2.8 crore fishers and fish farmers at the primary level and several lakhs along the value chain. India is the third largest fish producing country in the world with a production of 162.48 lakh tonnes in 2021-22, contributing 8 percent to the global fish production and ranks second in aquaculture production. Fish and fish products have presently emerged as one of the largest groups in agricultural exports of India, with an all-time high achievement in marine export earning of Rs. 63,969 crores in the year 2022-23.
National Fisheries Development Board plays a vital role in enhancing sustainable and responsible fish production and productivity by effectively promoting modern technology and utilizing the resources of the country in a coordinated, integrated and holistic manner. NFDB is committed to create infrastructure facilities to bring a significant improvement in handling, preservation and marketing of fish. The larger goal is to increase production and productivity, improve livelihoods of fishers, promote entrepreneurship opportunities in fisheries and increase consumption of fish through better availability. As an initiative towards “Aatma Nirbhar Bharat”, GoI and NFDB with the support of research institutions and organisations are tirelessly working for the species diversification to address the challenges posed by market changes, resource fluctuations, food security issues and climate changes in the sector.
Our major mission is the holistic development of the fisheries sector through enhancement of fish production and productivity and to accelerate the overall economy of the country, besides improving health, economy, exports, employment and tourism in the country.
Jai Hind!
Dr. Bijay Kumar Behera, ARS