**Executive Summary**
On April 8, 2026, the Secretary of the Department of Fisheries visited Sirsa, Haryana, to review the progress of the saline water Aquaculture Cluster under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). The review focused on addressing ground-level challenges, such as high input costs and infrastructure gaps, while highlighting the establishment of a ₹110-crore Integrated Aquapark. Key action items include the provision of local testing kits and enhanced technical guidance from MPEDA to strengthen export linkages.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Infrastructure and Financial Investment**
* An Integrated Aquapark with an outlay of ₹110 crore is being established in Sirsa to enhance post-harvest handling and cold-chain infrastructure.
* Haryana has attracted ₹760.88 crore in PMMSY investments, including ₹79.47 crore dedicated to technology infusion such as RAS and Biofloc systems.
* Total saline and alkaline area interventions cover 2,204 hectares with an earmarked budget of ₹176.32 crore.
**Technical and Operational Standards**
* Emphasis placed on adopting technology-driven practices, scientific pond management, and robust bio-security to improve productivity and quality.
* MPEDA is directed to provide technical guidance for establishing export linkages and supporting capacity building.
* The State is urged to ensure local availability of testing kits to eliminate the need for farmers to travel long distances for testing.
**Challenges and Resource Needs**
* Farmers identified high electricity costs, irregular power supply, and inadequate water supply as significant operational hurdles.
* There is a critical dependence on other states for quality fish and shrimp seeds.
* Requests were made to lease panchayat-owned land to Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to facilitate the expansion of shrimp farming.
**National and Regional Significance**
* The Sirsa cluster, involving Fatehabad, Hisar, and Rohtak, aims to unlock the potential of saline land through high-value species like shrimp, scampi, and seabass.
* Inland fisheries contribute 75% of India’s total fish production, with frozen shrimp accounting for 69% of the country’s marine export value.
* The Department of Fisheries has notified 34 specialized production and processing clusters across India to streamline resource use and market linkages.
**Impact Analysis**
**Shrimp and Fish Farmers**
**Impact**
Farmers gain opportunities for income diversification and employment through high-value aquaculture. However, they are currently burdened by high utility costs and a lack of local input supplies.
**Action Required**
Adopt scientific farming practices and technology-driven management; participate in SHGs to potentially access leased land for expansion.
**Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA)**
**Impact**
Identified as the primary body for bridging the gap between local production and international markets.
**Action Required**
Deliver technical expertise to farmers and establish formal export linkages and capacity-building programs.
**State Government of Haryana**
**Impact**
Responsible for the localized success of the cluster and the implementation of large-scale infrastructure projects like the Integrated Aquapark.
**Action Required**
Improve the reliability of electricity and water infrastructure, ensure local availability of testing kits, and coordinate with the Central Government to consolidate the fisheries cluster.
**Research and Institutional Bodies (ICAR, NFDB)**
**Impact**
Critical for providing the scientific foundation and inter-institutional coordination necessary for cluster-based development.
**Action Required**
Collaborate on addressing implementation gaps and support the convergence of various developmental schemes at the cluster level.
Key Entities Referenced
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY): The flagship national scheme for the sustainable development of the fisheries sector, under which saline water aquaculture clusters are notified and funded.
Saline water Aquaculture Cluster: A region-specific development initiative notified in Sirsa and partnering districts to harness the productive potential of saline and alkaline land for shrimp farming.
Sirsa District, Haryana: The central location for the reviewed aquaculture cluster and the site for a newly approved ₹110-crore Integrated Aquapark.
Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying: The primary central government department responsible for notifying production clusters and overseeing the implementation of national fisheries policies.
Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi: Secretary of the Department of Fisheries, Government of India, who conducted the high-level review of the aquaculture cluster and interacted with stakeholders.
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
Sirsa, Haryana to review the status of saline
water Aquaculture cluster notified under Pradhan
Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojna (PMMSY)
Posted On: 08 APR 2026 4:10PM by PIB Delhi
Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and
Dairying, Government of India, visited Sirsa District, Haryana on 8th April 2026 to review the progress
of saline water Aquaculture Cluster notified under PMMSY and interact with shrimp farmers engaged in
saline water aquaculture in the region. During the visit, the Union Secretary also interacted with shrimp
and fish farmers. to understand the gaps and challenges faced on ground.
Addressing the Fish farmers, Dr. Likhi highlighted the importance of adopting technology-driven shrimp
farming practices, scientific pond management and robust bio-security measures, along with sustained
capacity building to enhance productivity, product quality and overall profitability. He emphasized that
saline-affected regions such as Sirsa possess significant potential for optimal land-use through shrimp
aquaculture, which can play a vital role in income diversification, employment generation and
strengthening the rural economy. MPEDA was advised to provide the necessary technical guidance to help
establish export linkages and to support capacity building for farmers. It was also highlighted that easy
access to testing kits is essential, and the State was urged to ensure their availability locally so that shrimp
farmers do not have to travel long distances for testing.
A review meeting was held in hybrid mode at Chaudhary Devi Lal University (CDLU), Sirsa, to review
the progress of the overall implementation of cluster-based fisheries development initiatives under
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). The discussions focused on progress achieved,
inter-institutional coordination, convergence of schemes, and addressing implementation gaps at the
cluster level. The meeting was attended by officials from the Department of Fisheries, Government of
India and the Department of Fisheries, Government of Haryana, representatives of fisheries clusters from
States and Union Territories, scientists from ICAR fisheries institutes, and representatives of NFDB,
ICAR-CIFE, MPEDA, NABARD, fish farmers, shrimp farmers, fisheries cooperatives, Fisheries
universities and Fisheries colleges. The meeting witnessed participation from more than 500 participants.
During the meeting, the shrimp farmers highlighted several challenges, including the high cost and
irregular availability of electricity, dependence on other States for quality seed, and inadequate water
supply. They also requested that panchayat-owned land be made available on lease to Self-Help Groups
(SHGs) to support expansion of shrimp farming activities.Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Government of India, visited Shrimp farm of Shri
Preetpal Singh and Smt. Manpreet Kaur at village Raghuana, district Sirsa Haryana developed under
PMMSY. The farm comprises of 7 ponds spread over around 3 hectares with a total project cost of ₹42
lakh. They are producing around 28 tonnes annually, generating a turnover of nearly ₹90 lakh and creating
local employment opportunities. Interactions were held with shrimp farmers to assess the field-level
adoption of saline water aquaculture practices. The need to strengthen backward and forward linkages,
including availability of quality seed and feed, improved farm infrastructure and access to organised
markets, was underlined to support the sustainable scaling-up of shrimp farming in inland saline areas.Haryana has made notable progress under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY),
attracting investments of ₹760.88 crore, including a central share of ₹262.17 crore. A total of ₹79.47 crore
has been invested in technology infusion to harness inland aquaculture potential, leading to the
establishment of 456 RAS and Biofloc systems. So far, 3,766 hectares of ponds, 2,204 hectares of saline
and alkaline area interventions with a total outlay of ₹176.32 crore has been earmarked. In addition, an
Integrated Aquapark with an outlay of ₹98.90 crore has been approved to support the State’s aquaculture
growth.
The Deputy Commissioner announced the establishment of ₹110-crore Integrated Aquapark in Sirsa,
along with the development of cold-chain infrastructure to strengthen post-harvest handling and
value-addition. The District Magistrate also assured that the State Government would work in close
coordination with the Centre to further strengthen and consolidate the fisheries cluster.
Shrimp continues to be India’s flagship seafood export, with frozen shrimp accounting for nearly 69% of
the country’s marine products export basket by value during 2024–25. India’s marine products exports
shave nearly doubled over the last decade, rising from ₹30,213 crore in 2013–14 to ₹62,408 crore in2024–25, driven largely by shrimp exports valued at ₹43,334 crore. Notably, India’s seafood sector is
supported by approximately 658 processing plants, 532 pre-processing units, and a wide network of
handling centres for fresh, chilled, live, dried, and salted fish, along with over 734 cold storage facilities
across the country.
The department of fisheries, Government of India has notified 34 fisheries production and processing
clusters across key areas including, Pearl cluster in Hazaribagh, Seaweed in Lakshadweep, Ornamental
Fisheries in Madurai, Pearl cluster in Jharkhand, Reservoir Fisheries in Madhya Pradesh, Fishing
Harbours ins Gujarat and Puducherry, Saline Water Aquaculture in Sirsa, Punjab and Rajasthan, Cold
Water Fisheries in Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh, Sea Cage Culture in
Karnataka, Brackish-Water Fisheries in Andhra Pradesh, Tuna in Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Tilapia in
Chhattisgarh, Organic Fisheries in Sikkim and Meghalaya, Wetland Fisheries in Bihar, Murrel in
Telangana, Pearl Spot in Kerala, Scampi in Odisha, Pangasius in Uttar Pradesh, Dry Fish Cluster in West
Bengal, Integrated fish farming cluster in Nagaland, Pengba Fish Cluster in Manipur, Riverine Fish
Cluster in Assam, Paddy cum Fish Cluster in Mizoram, Aqua Tourism Cluster in Arunachal Pradesh,
Estuarian Cage Cluster in Goa, Pabda Fisheries Cluster in Tripura and Fisheries Cooperatives Cluster in
Maharashtra
The saline water cluster in Sirsa district, with Fatehabad, Hisar and Rohtak as partnering districts,
demonstrates how region-specific aquaculture development can unlock the productive potential of saline
and alkaline areas. By promoting diversification into high-value species such as shrimp, scampi and
seabass, the cluster enables efficient resource use while enhancing farmer incomes, generating local
employment and strengthening market linkages.
Background –
India’s inland fisheries sector has emerged as a cornerstone of national fish production, contributing 75%
to the total production. In the fiscal year 2024–25, inland fish production stood at 153 lakh metric tonnes.
Between 2013–14 and 2024–25, inland fisheries production surged by 150%, rising from 61 lakh tonnes to
153 lakh tonnes. This expansion has propelled India’s overall National fish production to 197.75 lakh
tonnes, marking a 105% increase over the same period.
The potential of India’s inland water resources remains vast and largely untapped. With 1.95 lakh
kilometres of rivers and canals, 6.06 lakh hectares of brackish water, 3.65 lakh hectares of beels and
oxbow lakes, 27.56 lakh hectares of tanks and ponds, and 31.53 lakh hectares of reservoirs, the scope for
sustainable inland fisheries development is immense. Recognizing this, the Government of India has
placed inland fisheries at the heart of its strategic vision for the sector.
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JP.
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