Bhopal, 23 October, 2026: Madhya Pradesh Department of Fisheries, with the Union Department of Fisheries and the NFDB, held the Fisheries Investors & Exporters Conclave 2026 in Bhopal to boost investment, processing, value addition and exports in inland fisheries.
Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav and Union Fisheries Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh led the event, joined by Minister of State Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel, state minister Shri Narayan Singh Panwar, Union Fisheries Secretary Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi and Chief Secretary Shri Ashok Barnwal. More than 1,000 fish farmers, investors, exporters and entrepreneurs took part.
India produced 197.75 lakh tonnes of fish in 2024-25, with inland fisheries contributing 151.60 lakh tonnes, nearly three-fourths of the total. Seafood exports were valued at ₹73,890 crore in 2025-26.
Guidelines and approvals
The leaders released the Madhya Pradesh Fisheries Investment and Export Guidelines, 2026, and export SOPs for inland states. Madhya Pradesh has been notified as a Reservoir Fisheries Cluster. Under PMMSY, administrative approval was handed over for developing 49 reservoirs (₹8,755.60 lakh) and five Amrit Sarovars (₹69 lakh).
Dr. Yadav announced three initiatives: linking fisheries with food processing, MSME-framework incentives including land, and the Madhya Pradesh Fisheries Policy 2026.
Export push
Shri Singh said inland states contribute only 2% of India’s fish exports despite a 147% rise in production. He urged identifying export-suitable species, building processing hubs, and ensuring certification and traceability. Dr. Likhi said Pangasius and Tilapia, now 2% of seafood exports, are targeted to reach 10% in five years.
Chief Secretary Barnwal said the state aims to raise fish production from 4.5 lakh tonnes to 10-11 lakh tonnes in two to three years, generating an estimated ₹5,000 crore in additional annual income for at least 50,000 people.
The conclave stressed moving beyond production to integrated value chains linking processing, branding and markets.
