Access Passes, PM-MKSSY incentives, fisheries clusters and export-oriented aquaculture initiatives aim to strengthen fisher incomes, seafood value chains and the Blue Economy

Key Highlights

• 9,650 Access Passes issued for fishing beyond 12 nautical miles in India’s EEZ.
• PM-MKSSY offers 40% aquaculture insurance incentive, with additional support for women and SC/ST beneficiaries.
• Government is developing 34 fisheries production and processing clusters to strengthen value chains and exports.
• Chhattisgarh has emerged as an emerging Tilapia production and export hub, with 382 tonnes already exported to the US.
• PMMSY interventions have helped Chhattisgarh’s fish production rise from 3.14 lakh tonnes in 2014-15 to 8.73 lakh tonnes in 2024-25.
• Digital platforms such as NFDP, ReALCRaft and satellite-based vessel tracking are expanding access, traceability and safety.

India is accelerating reforms across its fisheries and aquaculture sector, with the government combining digitalisation, deep-sea fishing access, insurance support, modern infrastructure and export-oriented production clusters to raise fisher incomes and strengthen the country’s Blue Economy.

The developments outlined by the Department of Fisheries in August 2026 point to a broader shift from traditional fish production towards formalised, technology-enabled and value-added fisheries, with greater emphasis on processing, cold chains, traceability and international markets.

9,650 Access Passes issued for fishing in India’s EEZ

The government has issued 9,650 free digital Access Passes through the ReALCRaft portal for fishing operations in India’s Exclusive Economic Zone, covering waters beyond 12 nautical miles and up to 200 nautical miles.

The Access Pass operates under the Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone Rules, 2025, notified in November 2025. Mechanised fishing vessels and large motorised boats over 24 metres are required to obtain the pass, while traditional non-motorised and small artisanal vessels remain exempt.

Karnataka accounts for the largest number of passes at 2,563, followed by Gujarat with 2,524 and Andhra Pradesh with 1,952.

The system is linked with MPEDA and the Export Inspection Council to facilitate catch and health certificates, traceability and eco-labelling. It also integrates with satellite-based vessel transponders and the Nabhmitra application, providing fishers with weather information, Potential Fishing Zone advisories, cyclone and tsunami warnings, navigational alerts and International Maritime Boundary Line warnings.

PM-MKSSY pushes insurance, finance and value addition

The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY), with an estimated outlay of ₹6,000 crore for FY2023-24 to FY2026-27, is being used to formalise the fisheries sector and improve access to finance, insurance and markets.

Under the scheme, aquaculture farmers receive a 40% incentive on insurance premiums, subject to specified ceilings. Women and SC/ST beneficiaries receive an additional 10% incentive.

The scheme also provides performance grants to fisheries microenterprises, cooperatives, FFPOs and other organisations for improving value-chain efficiency, safe fish supply chains, employment and market access.

The government is also promoting technologies such as RAS, biofloc and cage culture, alongside improved hygiene, disease management, traceability, certification, renewable energy and climate-resilient production.

Digital fisheries ecosystem expands

The National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP), launched in September 2024 under PM-MKSSY, has registered 35.85 lakh fishers, fish farmers, fish vendors and other fisheries stakeholders.

The platform provides a digital identity and facilitates access to institutional credit, insurance, cooperatives, training and other fisheries services. Twelve nationalised banks have been onboarded for credit facilitation.

The wider digital transformation is being complemented by satellite tracking and mobile-based safety systems, creating a more connected fisheries ecosystem from production at sea to processing and exports.

Chhattisgarh emerges as a Tilapia export hub

The government is also placing greater emphasis on inland fisheries and freshwater species as a means of diversifying India’s seafood exports.

In Chhattisgarh, more than 1,300 Tilapia farmers and value-chain stakeholders recently participated in discussions on developing an export-oriented Tilapia cluster.

The state has already exported 382 tonnes of Tilapia to the United States, while the government is working on a broader roadmap covering production, processing, quality assurance, cold chains and international market access.

India exported 22,601 tonnes of Tilapia worth ₹189.73 crore in FY2025-26, making it the country’s largest freshwater finfish export by volume. The government has identified 34 fisheries production and processing clusters as potential growth engines for exports.

The Chhattisgarh cluster is expected to benefit from greater adoption of quality seed, modern aquaculture technologies, processing and value addition.

PMMSY strengthens fisheries infrastructure

Under PMMSY, Chhattisgarh received approvals worth ₹956.86 crore, including a central share of ₹321.01 crore, during 2020-21 to 2025-26. Of this central share, ₹274.16 crore had been released.

Projects include:

• 28 fish seed hatcheries
• 3,200 hectares of new fish ponds
• 287 RAS units
• 820 biofloc units
• 14 fish feed mills
• 511 small fish transport vehicles
• 8,500 reservoir cages
• One Integrated Aqua Park

The programme has also supported accidental insurance for 5.52 lakh fishers annually, livelihood and nutritional assistance for 9,667 fishers and Kisan Credit Card access for 4,189 fishers.

Chhattisgarh’s fish production increased from 3.14 lakh tonnes in 2014-15 to 8.73 lakh tonnes in 2024-25, according to the government.

Traditional fishing rights remain protected

Alongside the expansion of deep-sea fishing, the government has reiterated protection for traditional fishers in near-shore waters.

Coastal States and Union Territories regulate fishing within 12 nautical miles under their respective Marine Fishing Regulation Acts. Many states reserve near-shore areas, generally extending 5-10 km from the coast, for artisanal and non-mechanised fishing.

Satellite-based transponders and geofencing are being used to alert authorities when mechanised vessels enter protected fishing zones.

The government is also supporting artificial reefs, sea ranching, seaweed cultivation and open-sea cage culture under PMMSY, alongside the development of 100 Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages.

What it means for hospitality, travel and tourism

The fisheries reforms have implications well beyond primary production.

For hospitality: Greater availability of traceable and quality-certified seafood could strengthen procurement for hotels, restaurants, resorts and institutional kitchens. Growth in value-added seafood can also create opportunities for premium menus and regional seafood experiences.

For coastal tourism: Better maritime safety systems, improved fishing infrastructure and climate-resilient coastal communities can support more sustainable coastal tourism economies.

For seafood exports: Investments in processing, certification, cold chains and traceability can help Indian seafood suppliers meet international standards and potentially expand India’s presence in premium global markets.

For culinary tourism: The emergence of inland species such as Tilapia and the expansion of coastal fisheries value chains could diversify India’s seafood tourism story beyond established shrimp and marine-fish destinations.

Dairy Sector Modernisation Gains Momentum as Milk Production Reaches 247.87 Million Tonnes

NPDD and AHIDF expand chilling, processing, cold-chain and value-addition capacity

India’s dairy sector is undergoing infrastructure modernisation as government-backed programmes expand organised milk procurement, chilling, processing and value addition.

Under the National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD), 36,611 new Dairy Cooperative Societies have been organised and 34,557 strengthened at village level as of June 2026. Around 168 lakh litres per day of milk chilling capacity has also been created, alongside distribution of 76,748 quality-testing devices.

The Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund has approved projects representing 418 lakh litres per day of milk processing and value-addition capacity across cooperative and private sectors.

Milk production increased from 209.96 million tonnes in 2020-21 to 247.87 million tonnes in 2024-25, while per-capita availability rose from 427 grams to 485 grams per day.

Hospitality and tourism impact

For hotels, restaurants and cafés, expanded dairy processing and cold-chain capacity can improve the availability and consistency of milk, dairy ingredients and value-added products. It also supports opportunities around regional dairy products, artisanal foods, desserts, beverages and farm-to-table tourism.

Agriculture Gets Major Digital and Mechanisation Push

Satellite monitoring, AI, drones and farm machinery schemes target productivity and lower cultivation costs

The government is expanding technology-driven agriculture through satellites, GIS, AI, drones, IoT and digital farmer databases.

The FASAL programme uses satellite data to forecast production of 11 major crops, while the Krishi Decision Support System integrates satellite, weather, soil, reservoir and groundwater information for crop monitoring and policy decisions.

The AI-powered National Pest Surveillance System currently covers 73 crops and 436 pests, while BharatVistaar has served more than 5.9 lakh farmers and addressed over 93 lakh queries.

Meanwhile, the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization provides financial assistance of 40-50% for farm machinery, 40% support for eligible Custom Hiring Centres and up to 80% assistance for Farm Machinery Banks, rising to 95% for eligible projects in the North Eastern States.

A total of 2,122 drones have been distributed or approved under SMAM, while 1,094 drones have been distributed to women-led Self-Help Groups under Namo Drone Didi.

Kharif 2026: Oilseeds buck the trend

As of August 7, 2026, total Kharif crop coverage stood at 967.92 lakh hectares, compared with 985.89 lakh hectares during the corresponding period in 2025.

Oilseeds were the notable exception, with coverage rising by 5.19 lakh hectares to 180.20 lakh hectares. Groundnut acreage increased by 3.71 lakh hectares and sesamum by 1.44 lakh hectares.

Rice acreage stood at 344.78 lakh hectares, down 15.90 lakh hectares from the comparable 2025 figure, while pulses declined by 1.95 lakh hectares.

Hospitality and tourism impact

For the hospitality sector, technology-led agricultural growth can improve the reliability of domestic food supply chains, particularly for rice, pulses, cereals, oilseeds, vegetables and processed ingredients. Better crop monitoring and mechanisation could also support more predictable sourcing for hotels, restaurants and food businesses while strengthening opportunities for agritourism and farm-based experiences.