Bhubaneswar, July 9: The Department of Fisheries of the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying (MoFAH&D) will celebrate the National Fish Farmers’ Day 2025 at ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA), Bhubaneswar on Thursday.
The event will be graced by Union Minister Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying RajIv Ranjan Singh along with his two deputies Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel and George Kurian and Minister for Fisheries, Government of Odisha Gokulananda Mallick.
Union Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying Minister RajIv Ranjan Singh along with his deputies Prof. SP. Singh Baghel and George Kurian and State Minister Gokulananda Mallick will grace the event.
As part of the celebrations, the Minister will launch a series of key fisheries initiatives. These include the announcement of new Fisheries Clusters, release of the ICAR Training Calendar, and unveiling of guidelines on seed certification and hatchery operations aimed at ensuring quality, standardization, and capacity building in the fisheries sector.
The Ministers will also felicitate fisheries beneficiaries, including traditional fishers, cooperatives/FFPOs, KCC cardholders, and promising fisheries start-ups. In addition, virtual foundation stones will be laid and select PMMSY-supported fisheries projects will be inaugurated, marking a strong push towards infrastructure development, entrepreneurship promotion, and inclusive growth in the sector.
The Department of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, GoI acknowledges the untiring efforts of fish farmers and fishers across the country, whose dedication and hard work have played a major role in the success of the Indian fisheries sector. This celebration provides an opportunity to recognize their significant contributions and express gratitude.
India’s fish production has more than doubled, rising from 95.79 lakh tonnes in FY 2013-14 to a record 195 lakh tonnes in FY 2024-25, an astonishing 104% growth. Inland fisheries and aquaculture alone have seen a 140% increase, showcasing the power of India's water resources and the Government’s bold initiatives.
The seafood exports have witnessed another success story, have crossed Rs 60,500 crore, affirming India’s global leadership in shrimp exports. Shrimp production has jumped by 270% over the last decade, generating lakhs of employment opportunities and empowering fishers’ community in the country.
The National Fish Farmers' Day 2025 is celebrated to honour and commemorate the contribution of Professor Dr. Hiralal Chaudhury and his colleague Dr. K. H. Alikunhi, in Indian fisheries sector who had guided the induced breeding and reproduction in Indian Major Carps by Hypophysation technique, on this day in 1957, which eventually lead to a revolution in Inland Aquaculture.
