The fisheries and aquaculture sector in Odisha is set for a major transformation with the approval of projects worth ₹1,301.18 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, has backed a comprehensive set of interventions aimed at strengthening the entire value chain — from production and processing to marketing — while ensuring better livelihoods for thousands of fishers and fish farmers.
In January 2025, the Centre approved the establishment of an Integrated Aqua Park at Basantapur in Sambalpur at a cost of ₹100 crore. The park will feature a modern in-house hatchery, grow-out ponds, processing units, research facilities, and an effluent treatment plant. Preparatory work, including land acquisition, issuance of the letter of intent, construction of the approach road, and boundary walls, has already been completed. Construction of core infrastructure is now progressing at various stages, promising to create a model ecosystem for scientific aquaculture in western Odisha.
Adding to the momentum, the government has also sanctioned a State-of-the-Art Wholesale Fish Market at Pandara, Bhubaneswar, at a total project cost of ₹59.13 crore. The facility will house 44 wholesale units and 99 retail units, designed with sustainability at its core. It will run on renewable energy and include rainwater harvesting systems, significantly reducing its carbon footprint and operational costs. Land reclamation work for the market has been completed, paving the way for rapid construction.
These projects form part of the larger ₹1,301.18 crore package (with a Central share of ₹484.64 crore) approved for Odisha since the launch of PMMSY in 2020-21. The initiatives are expected to boost fish production, create employment opportunities across the value chain, improve post-harvest infrastructure, and promote responsible aquaculture practices.
Recognising that timely and affordable credit is critical for fishers and fish farmers, the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) facility has been extended to the fisheries sector since 2018-19. The Department of Fisheries, in coordination with the Department of Financial Services, has been actively working with states and banks to increase awareness.
The Government of Odisha has gone a step further by providing additional interest subvention — making KCC loans completely interest-free up to ₹1 lakh and reducing the effective interest rate to just 2% for loans between ₹1 lakh and ₹3 lakh. Regular awareness drives through Matsya O Pranee Sampad Melas and village-level meetings are helping more fishers avail these benefits.
Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, shared the updates while replying to a question in the Rajya Sabha. He highlighted the collaborative efforts between the Centre and Odisha to build a robust, modern, and sustainable fisheries ecosystem.
With world-class infrastructure coming up and fisher-friendly credit policies in place, Odisha is steadily emerging as a key player in India’s Blue Economy. These developments under PMMSY are not just about increasing fish production — they are about building resilient coastal communities, promoting sustainable practices, and unlocking new economic opportunities for the state’s fishing population.
