New Delhi: India has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the fisheries and seafood export sector through improved infrastructure, sustainability measures, value addition, and market diversification, during a two-day national workshop attended by policymakers, industry leaders, exporters, researchers, and aquaculture stakeholders.
Addressing the gathering, Union Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu highlighted the importance of robust logistics and air cargo infrastructure in supporting high-value seafood exports. He said the government is working to enhance cargo facilities, improve multimodal connectivity, and streamline transportation networks to boost India’s competitiveness in global seafood markets.
Union Minister Chirag Paswan emphasized the vast opportunities for value addition in the seafood industry. He called for greater investment in processing, branding, technology adoption, and the expansion of export destinations. Stressing the need to move from “volume to value” and from “produce to product,” he said India must strengthen its position as a reliable global supplier of quality food products.
Secretary of the Department of Fisheries, Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, underscored the importance of coordinated action among all stakeholders to strengthen the seafood export ecosystem. He noted that infrastructure development, certification, innovation, value addition, and improved market access are essential for enhancing the sector’s global competitiveness.
The workshop brought together senior officials from the Central Government, States, and Union Territories, along with representatives from key institutions such as the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), Export Inspection Council (EIC), National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), NABARD, NCDC, NCEL, and SFAC. Seafood exporters, processors, startups, researchers, aquaculture farmers, and industry associations also participated in the discussions.
During the event, eligible beneficiaries received support under government schemes including the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PMKSSY) and the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) programme. Stakeholders discussed several challenges facing the fisheries value chain, including disease management, rising input costs, fishmeal availability, access to quality seed and broodstock, quarantine infrastructure, logistics bottlenecks, cold-chain development, certification requirements, traceability systems, and sustainability standards. Participants also stressed the need to promote value-added seafood products, diversify export markets, support startups and MSMEs, and encourage sustainable fishing practices.
The second day featured technical sessions on traceability systems, sustainable certification, value addition, export promotion, deep-sea fisheries, and emerging export opportunities. Discussions also explored the potential for a Production Linked Incentive (PLI) framework for the seafood sector. Experts highlighted the importance of complying with international standards, strengthening processing and cold-chain infrastructure, promoting innovation, supporting startups and MSMEs, and improving market access for Indian seafood products.
Special attention was given to the untapped potential of high-value deep-sea resources within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone, particularly around the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep. Emerging sectors such as seaweed cultivation, ornamental fisheries, cold-water fisheries, and trout farming were also identified as promising areas for future growth.
The workshop concluded with a shared commitment to enhance sustainability, traceability, value addition, export infrastructure, and market access while fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and diversification across the seafood sector. The recommendations from the deliberations are expected to contribute to a comprehensive roadmap for strengthening India’s global seafood export competitiveness and advancing the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
