In a powerful push towards rural prosperity and self-reliance, Odisha’s Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister Shri Gokulananda Mallik on Saturday declared that a massive surge in fish production will usher in a “new wave” of economic progress across the state.
Presiding over a high-level review meeting of all district fisheries officers at Krushi Bhawan Auditorium, the minister painted an inspiring picture of a future where fish farming becomes a game-changer for farmers, women, and educated youth.
“Only when the farmer in the village prospers can we truly realise the dream of a Developed India through a Developed Odisha,” Mallik told senior officials.
Odisha already stands as one of India’s top states in fish production and marine food exports. Current annual output stands at 11.92 lakh metric tonnes. The government has now set an ambitious target to double this figure within the next year — a bold step fully aligned with the state’s Vision-2036 roadmap.
Officials reviewed the progress of flagship schemes including the Mukhyamantri Matsyajibi Kalyan Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampad Yojana, and Mukhyamantri Krushi Udyog Yojana. Special emphasis was placed on empowering rural women through fish farming and attracting educated youth to modern, high-return techniques such as biofloc technology and cage culture.
The minister also highlighted the government’s integrated rice-fish farming model, which allows cultivators to earn from both crops and fish in the same field, significantly boosting household income. He directed officers to give top priority to the Shrimp Mission, deep-sea fishing initiatives, and innovative pen culture in water bodies.
To make the sector safer and more professional, the government is strengthening safety measures for fishermen — including ISRO transponders on boats and life jackets — while fast-tracking the development of aqua parks, fish landing centres, cold storage facilities, and state-of-the-art training centres across the state.
Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Department Commissioner-cum-Secretary Shri Prem Chandra Chaudhary urged all officers to implement the schemes with full dedication and sincerity so that every target is not only met but exceeded.
The meeting was attended by fisheries officers from every district and senior directorate officials, signalling a unified administrative push to transform Odisha into a fisheries powerhouse.
With these decisive steps, the state is not just aiming for higher fish production — it is scripting a new chapter of inclusive growth, women’s empowerment, and youth entrepreneurship that will ripple across rural Odisha and beyond.
