Centre Reviews Bhimavaram Aquaculture Cluster, Unveils Strategy to Boost Seafood Exports to ₹68,000 Crore

The Bhimavaram cluster in West Godavari district has emerged as a flagship example of intensive, technology-driven aquaculture.

In a major push to strengthen India’s Blue Economy and enhance global competitiveness in seafood exports, the Government of India convened a high-level review of the Bhimavaram Brackishwater Aquaculture Cluster—one of the country’s most significant fisheries ecosystems—under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).

The review meeting, chaired by Dr Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAH&D), brought together policymakers, scientists, financial institutions, exporters, and farmers on a single platform. Conducted in hybrid mode, the meeting emphasized collaborative governance and real-time problem-solving across the aquaculture value chain.

At the heart of the discussions was India’s rapidly expanding seafood export sector, which has surged from ₹62,408 crore in 2024–25 to an estimated ₹68,000 crore in FY 2025–26. This growth trajectory reflects both rising global demand and India’s strategic policy interventions aimed at scaling production, improving quality standards, and expanding market access.

Bhimavaram Cluster: A Model for Export-Oriented Aquaculture

The Bhimavaram cluster in West Godavari district has emerged as a flagship example of intensive, technology-driven aquaculture. Notified under PMMSY in March 2025, the cluster spans approximately 53,861 hectares with over 42,000 aquaculture ponds, primarily cultivating high-value shrimp species such as Penaeus vannamei and Penaeus monodon.

With productivity levels reaching around 8 tonnes per hectare—well above the national average—the cluster plays a pivotal role in India’s seafood export ecosystem. The region’s favorable climatic conditions, salinity levels, and infrastructure support have made it a high-performing aquaculture hub, generating employment and boosting rural incomes.

Policy Innovation and Global Integration

Highlighting the government’s forward-looking approach, Dr. Likhi outlined a comprehensive strategy to address gaps across pre-production, production, and post-production stages. Key initiatives include:

• Promotion of fish consumption through institutional tie-ups with defence establishments and public institutions

• International collaboration on fish waste utilization, including a proposed partnership with Iceland

• Expansion of farmer exposure visits within India and abroad

• Strengthening certification, traceability, and export compliance frameworks

These measures align with India’s broader push toward sustainable and traceable seafood production, a critical requirement in global markets.

Further policy innovations include the notification of the Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone Rules, 2025, enabling Indian vessels to expand operations into high seas while ensuring sustainability. Additional reforms—such as duty-free treatment of EEZ catches, recognition of foreign port landings as exports, and an increase in duty-free import limits for processing inputs from 1% to 3%—are expected to significantly enhance value addition and export competitiveness.

Technology and Infrastructure: The Next Growth Frontier

The meeting underscored the importance of advanced technologies such as IoT-enabled monitoring, biofloc systems, and Recirculatory Aquaculture Systems (RAS) in driving productivity and sustainability. A visit to a 40-acre shrimp farm in Kalla village showcased real-world adoption of cutting-edge solutions, including nano-bubble oxygenation and sensor-based monitoring, with projected production of 50 tonnes per cycle.

Stakeholders also stressed the need for strengthening last-mile infrastructure—particularly connectivity between farms and processing units—alongside expanding cold chain networks and improving logistics efficiency.

Addressing Ground-Level Challenges

Despite strong growth, farmers highlighted several structural challenges requiring urgent attention:

• Weak domestic market linkages and limited promotion of fish consumption

• High feed costs, accounting for nearly 70% of production expenses

• Limited access to institutional credit and demand for tax parity with agriculture

• Need for improved broodstock quality and disease-resistant varieties

• Rising shipping costs and global price pressures

Farmers also expressed willingness to adopt digital technologies but emphasized the need for subsidies to ensure affordability and scalability.

Institutional Convergence Driving Change

The review meeting showcased a multi-institutional approach involving ICAR institutes, MPEDA, NABARD, NFDB, and state agencies. ICAR highlighted advancements in disease diagnostics, genetic improvement, and sustainability practices, while MPEDA announced the establishment of regional offices and testing laboratories in Bhimavaram to support exports.

NABARD emphasized financial inclusion through Fish Farmers Producer Organisations (FFPOs), while CMFRI and CIBA presented innovations in hatchery technologies, integrated farming models, and traceability systems.

Blue Economy Vision Gains Momentum

India’s fisheries sector, already the second-largest globally, is undergoing a structural transformation driven by policy reforms, technological adoption, and global market integration. Brackishwater aquaculture alone contributes nearly 15% of total fish production but accounts for a disproportionately high share of export earnings due to its focus on high-value species.

The Bhimavaram cluster exemplifies how targeted investments, stakeholder convergence, and policy innovation can create high-impact growth ecosystems. As India positions itself as a global seafood powerhouse, such clusters are expected to serve as growth engines for rural livelihoods, export expansion, and sustainable resource utilization.