New Delhi, September 7: India is expanding the use of modern aquaculture technologies such as Recirculatory Aquaculture Systems (RAS) and Biofloc to increase fish production, improve resource efficiency and strengthen the country’s blue economy, according to the government.The fisheries and aquaculture sector supports the livelihoods of around three crore fishermen and fish farmers and generates employment across production, processing, marketing and exports.
India is currently the world’s second-largest fish producer, accounting for about eight per cent of global fish output, while also ranking among the leading countries in aquaculture and capture fisheries.
Government investment in the sector has increased significantly since 2015, with more than Rs 39,272 crore committed through various schemes aimed at improving infrastructure, adopting new technologies, creating market opportunities and enhancing the competitiveness of Indian fisheries.
Fish production has more than doubled, rising from 95.79 lakh tonnes in 2013-14 to 198 lakh tonnes in 2024-25. Inland fisheries and aquaculture have also expanded sharply, increasing from 61.36 lakh tonnes to 151.60 lakh tonnes during the same period.
The country’s seafood exports have similarly recorded strong growth, increasing from Rs 30,213 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 73,890 crore in 2025-26.
A major focus of the government’s technology push is on RAS, in which water is continuously treated and reused within the farming system. Such systems can recycle about 90-95 per cent of water, allowing fish to be raised under controlled conditions while reducing dependence on conventional water sources.
Biofloc technology uses beneficial microorganisms to improve water quality and recycle nutrients within culture ponds or tanks. The approach can help reduce waste and make fish farming more efficient, particularly where water availability is limited.Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, 9,467 RAS units and 4,573 Biofloc units have been approved, with technological interventions receiving an overall investment of around Rs 4,120 crore.
The adoption of controlled production systems is also expected to support better biosecurity, quality management and traceability, factors that are increasingly important for domestic and international seafood markets.Modern aquaculture technologies can be applied across different regions and species.
They offer opportunities for cold-water fish farming, including trout production in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, as well as shrimp cultivation in saline and brackish-water areas. Ornamental fish farming is another segment with potential for expansion.
The government is also encouraging diversification towards higher-value species such as shrimp, trout, seabass, tilapia, murrel and pangasius.The next phase of development is expected to involve greater use of digital monitoring, artificial intelligence, drones and renewable energy in aquaculture operations.
Such integration could help farmers monitor production more accurately, improve operational efficiency and reduce resource consumption.The technology-led approach is intended to raise productivity and incomes while creating opportunities for entrepreneurship, skilled employment and private-sector participation. It is also aimed at reducing pressure on natural resources through more efficient production systems.
The government views the modernisation of fisheries and aquaculture as an important component of its broader objectives of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat, with the sector expected to contribute to food security, rural livelihoods, exports, innovation and sustainable growth of India’s blue economy.
