Parliament Question: Fisheries Research Institutes and Regional Research Centres

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2843 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10th MARCH, 2026 Fisheries Research Institutes and Regional Research Centres 2843. Shri Prabhakar Reddy Vemireddy: Shri G M Harish Balayogi: Shri Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy: Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING be pleased to state: (a) the details regarding the number of fisheries research institutes and regional research centres under Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and other central bodies in the country, State-wise including Andhra Pradesh; (b) whether the Government has any proposals to establish additional fisheries research centres in Andhra Pradesh and if so, the proposed locations, budget allocated and released during the last three years, year-wise and timelines set in this regard; (c) the details regarding new research programmes introduced to support fish farmers including studies on aquaculture technology, disease management, genetic improvement, and sustainable practices during the last three years, State-wise including Andhra Pradesh; (d) the steps taken by the Government to disseminate and raise awareness among fish farmers regarding best practices in fish farming, feed management, health monitoring and climate adaptation techniques, State-wise including Andhra Pradesh; and (e) whether the Government collaborates with State universities and private sector for public- private research partnerships in Andhra Pradesh, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor State-wise? ANSWER MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH (a): As reported by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), eight resource-specific Fisheries Research Institutes operate across the country, supported by their research stations and centres (thirty research stations/Centres), located in diverse ecological zones (Annexure-1). (b): The ICAR has reported that four regional fisheries research centres are currently operating in Andhra Pradesh. These include the Kakinada Regional Centre of the ICAR– Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE), which also maintains a field centre at Balabhadrapuram; the Regional Research Centre of the ICAR–Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA) at Vijayawada; the Regional Research Centre of the ICAR– Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) at Visakhapatnam; and the Regional Research Centre of the ICAR–Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT), also located in Visakhapatnam. ICAR has further indicated that there is no current proposal for establishing additional centres under ICAR in the State of Andhra Pradesh.(c): ICAR Fisheries Research Institutes have developed nationally relevant technologies that strengthen productivity, sustainable water use, species and system diversification, cost-effective feeds, fish health management, genetic improvement, AMR mitigation, responsible fishing, and value addition. In Andhra Pradesh, their work over the past three years has been especially impactful. Genetically improved freshwater species such as Jayanti rohu, AhR Jayanti rohu, Amrit catla, Mahamagur, and CIFA GI Scampi have been disseminated to farmers. A major initiative on Super-Intensive Precision Shrimp Farming has been launched by ICAR-CIBA and NFDB at Moolapolam, Srikakulam, to support commercial-scale adoption. Pangasius breeding and seed production technologies have been demonstrated to farmers and entrepreneurs, while indigenous ornamental fish breeding has been showcased in East Godavari. The state has also advanced integrated seaweed–shrimp winter cropping, particularly the co-culture of Gracilaria salicornia with P. vannamei in Srikakulam, promoting diversification and strengthening coastal livelihoods. (d): The Government of Andhra Pradesh has reported that the State has enacted key acts to regulate aquaculture and ensure quality inputs, including the Andhra Pradesh State Aquaculture Development Authority Act, 2020. It conducts training programs, on-field demonstrations, farmer field schools, exposure visits, and capacity-building initiatives under PMMSY. Awareness is raised through technical literature and advisories, implemented via ICAR regional centers, the State Fisheries Department, Fisheries University, and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in Andhra Pradesh. ICAR has also indicated that its fisheries research institutes and centres have been developing and disseminating need‑based technologies across various aspects of fisheries and aquaculture jointly with other Government Departments/agencies. Over the past three years, they have provided technical support, training, and demonstrations to more than 40,000 stakeholders, including those in Andhra Pradesh. (e): The Government of Andhra Pradesh has informed that the Department of Fisheries collaborates with state universities and the private sector for public-private research partnerships. The Department of Fisheries works with national programs like National Surveillance Programme for Aquatic Animal Diseases (NSPAAD)and National Residue Control Programme (NRCP) to strengthen aquatic animal health management, disease diagnostics, and compliance with export standards. Additionally, through the State Institute of Fisheries Technology (SIFT), Kakinada, it partners with ICAR institutes, the State Fisheries University, and private entities for technology validation, broodstock development, skill enhancement, and adoption of best practices.Annexure-1 Statement referred to in reply to part (a) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2843 due for answer on 10th March, 2026 put in Shri Prabhakar Reddy Vemireddy, Shri G M Harish Balayogi, Shri Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy regarding ‘Fisheries Research Institutes and Regional Research Centres’: Institutes States represented Headquarters Regional/Research Centres Deemed 1. Central Institute of Maharashtra  Madhya Pradesh (Powarkheda) University Fisheries Education  Andhra Pradesh (Kakinada) (CIFE), Mumbai  Haryana (Rohtak)  West Bengal (Kolkata)  Bihar (Motipur) Research 2. Central Marine Kerala  Tamil Nadu (Mandapam, Institutes Fisheries Research Chennai & Tuticorin) Institute (CMFRI), Kochi  Andhra Pradesh (Visakhapatnam)  Gujarat (Veraval)  Maharashtra (Mumbai)  Karnataka (Karwar and Mangalore)  Kerala (Calicut and Vizhinjam)  West Bengal (Digha) 3. Central Inland Fisheries West Bengal  Karnataka (Bangalore) Research Institute  Uttar Pradesh (Allahabad) (CIFRI), Kolkata  Assam (Guwahati) 4. Central Institute of Kerala  Maharashtra (Mumbai) Fisheries Technology  Andhra Pradesh (CIFT), Kochi (Visakhapatnam)  Gujarat (Veraval) 5. Central Institute of Odisha  Karnataka (Bangalore) Freshwater Aquaculture  West Bengal (Rahara) (CIFA), Bhubaneswar  Andhra Pradesh (Vijayawada)  Punjab (Bathinda) 6. Central Institute of Tamil Nadu  West Bengal (Kakdwip) Brackishwater  Gujarat (Navsari) Aquaculture (CIBA), Chennai 7. Central Institute of Uttarakhand  Experimental station at Coldwater Fisheries Champawat, Uttarakhand Research (CICFR), Bhimtal 8. National Bureau of Fish Uttar Pradesh  Kerala (Kochi) Genetic Resources (NBFGR), Lucknow *****