Hyderabad: Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Panchayati Raj Rajiv Ranjan Singh, also known as Lalan Singh, chaired the 13th Governing Body Meeting of the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) on 5 November 2026 at the Padma Shri Dr. Ayyappan Conference Hall in Hyderabad.
The meeting was attended by Vakiti Srihari, Telangana Minister for Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries; Gabriel Denwang Wangsu, Arunachal Pradesh Minister for Fisheries; and Sudhangshu Das, Tripura Minister for Fisheries. Representatives of State and Union Territory fisheries departments and 13 non-official members of the NFDB Governing Body were also present.
Union Minister Calls for Stronger Outreach and Project Execution
Addressing the meeting, Singh called on NFDB to strengthen its role as a proactive development institution, with greater last-mile outreach to fish farmers and closer coordination with States and Union Territories. He stressed the need for timely execution and completion of projects, along with effective utilisation of funds to improve fishers' incomes and livelihood security.
The Union Minister also called for focused support to North-Eastern and inland States to address gaps in production, supply and consumption and move towards self-sufficiency.
Referring to the rise in India's fish production from 141.64 lakh tonnes in 2019-20 to 197.75 lakh tonnes, he emphasised the need to further improve production and productivity. He said NFDB's future interventions should be guided by measurable outcomes.
Fisheries Department Stresses Investment and Digital Services
Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary, Department of Fisheries, highlighted the Centre's and States' efforts to expand aquaculture and strengthen seafood exports, which are currently valued at around Rs 70,000 crore.
He called for a stronger digital presence for NFDB and simpler mechanisms for stakeholder support and feedback to improve ease of doing business.
Likhi also emphasised the need to attract greater private investment and encourage entrepreneurship through cooperatives, Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs), start-ups and private entrepreneurs. He called for regular consultations with States and stakeholders to improve the implementation of fisheries policies and programmes.
State Ministers Seek Support for Fisheries Infrastructure
The State Fisheries Ministers raised the need for stronger fisheries infrastructure and continued Central support for fish markets and Integrated Aqua Parks. They also called for better coordination between Fisheries and Rural Development programmes to make productive use of Amrit Sarovars, reservoirs and other water bodies for fisheries development.
The Ministers further stressed the importance of training and capacity building, including inter-State and international exposure for fishers, entrepreneurs, women, Self-Help Groups and officials. They sought continued training for beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and called for nutrition-focused awareness initiatives to promote fish consumption.
NFDB Presents Progress on Ongoing Initiatives
Dr. Bijay Kumar Behera, Chief Executive of NFDB, presented an overview of the Board's activities, achievements and ongoing initiatives in fisheries and aquaculture. He briefed the Governing Body on progress under various schemes and programmes and outlined NFDB's interventions for the development of the sector.
The meeting reaffirmed the commitment of the Centre, States and Union Territories, NFDB and other stakeholders to accelerating fisheries and aquaculture development through effective programme implementation, stronger coordination and outcome-oriented interventions.
