Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh highlighted Arunachal Pradesh’s considerable capacity for boosting inland fisheries, underscoring that the state’s abundant water resources could enable it to become a key fish producer and exporter.
On a three-day visit to review fisheries and other sectors, Singh noted that effectively harnessing these resources could make Arunachal Pradesh self-sufficient in fish production.
“Arunachal Pradesh has vast potential to boost inland water fish production,” Singh said during a press conference at the civil secretariat here.
India’s overall fish production has seen significant growth over the past decade under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, he observed, attributing this expansion to targeted development efforts.
“Prior to 2014, India's annual fish production was estimated at 96 lakh tonne. However, after Modi took office, the country's production has risen to 176 lakh tonne annually, with 132 lakh tonne from inland fisheries,” Singh said.
The minister further emphasised that the Modi government is committed to self-reliance for Arunachal Pradesh and the Northeast, with ministers tasked to identify growth areas and support local development needs.
Singh advised the state to tap into central schemes like the Fishery Infrastructure Development Fund and Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kishan Samridhi Yojana to strengthen infrastructure and increase production.
“If these water bodies are developed and utilised effectively, Arunachal Pradesh has the potential to become not only self-sufficient in fish production but also an exporter,” Singh added.
He suggested a target of tripling fish production from 10,000 to 30,000 tonnes annually and called for technology adoption and diversification of fish species.
Singh assured that his ministry is prepared to promptly approve proposals submitted by the state for fisheries development, but implementation would remain under state purview.
“During my review meeting, I observed the government’s sincerity in this regard,” he said.
The minister also announced that Rs 19.5 crore has been sanctioned for a modern fish market in Ziro, Lower Subansiri district, and urged the state to utilise innovative research from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to enhance production.
He encouraged officials to train in multi-layer fish farming at the Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA) in Odisha, adding that these trained officials could establish a capacity-building framework to assist local fish farmers.
Increasing fish production, Singh highlighted, will open avenues for youth employment and export opportunities for Arunachal Pradesh.
Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh stated that Arunachal Pradesh’s inland fisheries sector could make the state self-sufficient and a potential fish exporter if its water resources are developed.
The Modi government, he said, is committed to aiding the Northeast’s economic self-reliance.
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