Fisheries Investors & Exporters Conclave 2026
The Department of Fisheries, Government of Madhya Pradesh, in association with the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and NFDB, organized the Fisheries Investors & Exporters Conclave 2026 in Bhopal on 23 October 2026. The event aimed to strengthen investment, processing, value addition, and export opportunities in inland fisheries, bringing together over 1,000 fish farmers, investors, exporters, fisheries cooperatives, FFPOs, entrepreneurs, startups, processors, financial institutions, and research organizations.
Key Announcements and Initiatives
During the conclave, the Madhya Pradesh Fisheries Investment and Export Guidelines, 2026 and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of Inland State Export Potential were released to facilitate investment across hatcheries, fish seed and feed, reservoir and cage fisheries, aquatic animal health, processing, cold-chain infrastructure, logistics, value addition, and market development. Madhya Pradesh has been notified by the Central Government as a Reservoir Fisheries Cluster.
The program featured the virtual inauguration of integrated cage culture units and the handover of administrative approval for the Integrated Development of Reservoirs and Amrit Sarovars in Madhya Pradesh under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). The initiative envisages development of 49 reservoirs at an approved project cost of ₹87.556 million (₹8755.60 Lakh) and 5 Amrit Sarovars at ₹6.9 million (₹69 Lakhs), aiming to enhance fish production, strengthen infrastructure, generate employment, and improve socio-economic conditions of fishers.
Production and Export Context
India's fish production reached 197.75 lakh MT in 2024–25, with inland fisheries contributing 151.60 lakh tonnes (nearly three-fourths of total production). India's seafood exports were valued at ₹73,890 crore in 2025–26. However, inland states contribute only 2% of total fisheries exports despite a 147% increase in fish production in these states.
State-Specific Targets and Achievements
Madhya Pradesh has 4.50 lakh hectares of inland water area, including 3.75 lakh hectares of reservoirs. Fish production in the state increased from 2.00 lakh MT in 2019-20 to 4.45 lakh MT in 2024-25 (123% increase). The state now aims to increase production to 10–11 lakh tonnes over the next 2–3 years, which could generate ₹5,000 crore in additional annual income benefiting at least 50,000 people.
Under PMMSY, the Department of Fisheries, Government of India has approved projects for Madhya Pradesh at a total cost of ₹910.81 crore, with a Central share of ₹305.50 crore, of which ₹301.27 crore (98.61%) has been released. Major interventions include 78 hatcheries, 1,157 RAS and biofloc units, expansion of pond area by more than 5,700 hectares, and one Integrated Aquapark.
Policy Framework and Future Direction
The Hon'ble Chief Minister announced three key initiatives: integration of fisheries with food processing industry to promote processing, value addition, packaging, cold-chain infrastructure and distribution; support for fisheries enterprises under MSME framework including land and facilities; and the launch of Madhya Pradesh Fisheries Policy 2026 providing land allocation and facilities for fisheries enterprises.
The Union Minister outlined five priorities for export promotion: identifying export-suitable freshwater fish species and target markets; developing fish collection centres and large-scale processing hubs; strengthening partnerships among farmers, cooperatives, investors and exporters; ensuring quality certification and traceability; and maintaining continuous engagement with international buyers with clear export targets.
Background Infrastructure
Under FIDF, five projects have been approved in Madhya Pradesh: fisheries training centre (₹5.00 crore), cold storage (₹1.21 crore), two innovative projects (₹0.44 crore), and establishment of disease diagnostic lab (₹0.27 crore). Currently, only the fisheries training centre project is ongoing while four are yet to start. The state has established 316 cages in Halali Reservoir, notified as a Reservoir Fisheries cluster.