Ujjain— In a landmark announcement during the state-level Nishadraj Sammelan and training programme held at Kalidas Sanskrit Academy, Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav declared that fish farming in Madhya Pradesh will now be officially recognized as an industry. The move is set to unlock access to government incentives and industrial benefits, placing fishery development at the heart of the state’s rural economy.
“Fish farming is no longer a traditional occupation—it’s a modern industry with high growth potential,” said the Chief Minister, as he reaffirmed his goal to make Madhya Pradesh the number one state in fish production across India.
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Major Projects and Investments Unveiled
CM Yadav virtually inaugurated multiple high-value projects:
- ₹92 crore project involving the installation of 3,360 cage units in the Indira Sagar Dam
- Groundbreaking of 453 Smart Fish Parlours across the state, costing ₹22.65 crore
- A ₹40 crore Aqua Park (modern aquarium) under construction in Bhopal, set to serve as a public attraction and education hub
Empowering the Fishing Community
Yadav began his speech by invoking Nishadraj, the legendary ally of Lord Ram, as a symbol of the fishing community’s courage. He praised their daily struggle and announced expanded welfare initiatives under the National Fishermen Welfare Board, launched by the Central Government under PM Narendra Modi.
Additionally, 430 motorcycles equipped with ice boxes have been distributed to fishermen to improve transportation and reduce post-harvest losses.
From Traditional Livelihood to Tech-Driven Industry
Dr. Yadav highlighted how technological innovation, improved irrigation infrastructure, and entrepreneurial ecosystems are transforming the fishing sector:
- Fish farming area has grown to 4.4 lakh hectares
- In FY 2024–25, fish production reached 3.81 lakh metric tonnes
- Advanced modern hatcheries worth ₹217 crore will soon be established to reduce dependence on Bengal for fish seed supply
- The Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal (PKC) River Link Project will expand irrigated land to 1 crore hectares, directly benefiting aquaculture
Focus on Innovation and Startups
The CM emphasized that the sector now welcomes youth entrepreneurs, startups, and investors. The use of modern machinery, increased hatchery output, and cold-chain logistics is being prioritized to make Madhya Pradesh a leader in both milk and fish production.
“We’re not just growing fish—we’re growing futures. The goal is self-reliance, sustainability, and rural prosperity,” Yadav stated.
