Lok Sabha Question No. 4098 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-17
Subject: Aquaculture Cluster
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Shri Maddila Gurumoorthy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4098 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 th  MARCH, 2026

## Aquaculture Cluster

## 4098. Shri Maddila Gurumoorthy:

Will the Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has any proposals to strengthen cold storage, processing and  value-addition  infrastructure  in  major  aquaculture  clusters  like  Vanakadu,  Kota, Chillakuru and Guduru in Andhra Pradesh to mitigate the impact of export disruptions;
- (b)  whether  any  steps  are  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  diversify  prawn  export markets beyond the United States to reduce dependency and stabilize prices; and
- (c) if so, the details of schemes, funding support, or export facilitation measures being planned under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) or other initiatives to assist affected aqua farmers?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING (SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH)

- (a) The Department of Fisheries (DoF), Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAH&D), Government of India (GoI) under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) has approved proposals of the Government of Andhra Pradesh at a total cost of Rs. 2416.92 crore with central share of Rs 569.86 crore for development of fisheries in the State, including the areas of Vanakadu, Kota, Chillakuru and Guduru. To strengthen fisheries and aquaculture infrastructure, PMMSY has sanctioned a wide range of activities, including (i) 17 units of cold storage plants (ii) 160 units of insulated vehicles (iii) 800 units of motorcycle with icebox (iv) 85 units of fish retails markets (v) 4215 units of fish kiosks (vi) 25 units of fish value addition enterprises units.
- (b) and (c): The Government is cognizant of the challenges faced by the shrimp export sector arising from fluctuations in international market demand, price volatility, and rising input costs. Despite geopolitical uncertainties and tariff and non-tariff barriers imposed by importing countries, India's shrimp exports during April-January 2025-26 increased from 6,22,182  tonnes  to  6,59,600  tonnes  (Prov.)  in  quantity  and  from  ₹36,029.38  crore  to
- ₹41,018.30 crore (Prov.) in value, compared to the corresponding period of 2024-25.

The Government continues to engage closely with stakeholders to assess the evolving impact  of  U.S.  tariff  measures  and  is  pursuing  a  comprehensive  strategy  to  mitigate adverse  effects  on  Indian  exports.  This  includes  intensive  engagement  with  the  U.S. Government  towards  a  mutually  beneficial  India-U.S.  Bilateral  Trade  Agreement; immediate relief through RBI's trade-related measures and the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Exporters; enhancement of domestic demand through next-generation GST reforms; and  export-promotion  initiatives  such  as  the  new  Export  Promotion  Mission,  which provides targeted support to exporters. The Government is also negotiating new Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and working to improve utilisation of existing FTAs.

Further, the Department of Fisheries has undertaken extensive stakeholder consultations and strategic engagements, including Investors' Meets in Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep, the Coastal States Fisheries Meet, Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture Meet,  Seafood  Exporters  Meet,  and  World  Fisheries  Day  events,  with  a  focus  on strengthening  value  addition  in  seafood  exports.  A  Round  Table  Conference  with Ambassadors and High Commissioners from 39 countries  was  convened to promote seafood  exports,  deepen  diplomatic  engagement,  foster  collaboration  on  sustainable fisheries, and advance technology in fisheries and aquaculture. Bilateral engagements with major importing nations are also being pursued to enhance seafood market access.

To improve the sector's global competitiveness, the Government is facilitating ease of doing business by amending regulations and streamlining imports. The Union Budget has also enhanced the duty-free import limit of specified inputs used in seafood processing from 1% to 3% of the previous year's FOB export value to promote value-added exports. Further,  sustainability  and  compliance  initiatives  include  promoting  the  use  of  Turtle Excluder  Devices  (TEDs)  in  trawl  nets,  strengthening  antibiotic  residue  controls, supporting  marine  mammal conservation, and launching a comprehensive traceability framework. The Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)  Rules,  2025,  have  also  been  notified  to  promote  high-value,  export-oriented fisheries in the Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands. As a result of sustained efforts,  the  number  of  fishery  establishments  approved  for  export  to  the  EU,  China, Russia, and Brazil has increased in recent months.

The  Department  of  Fisheries,  Ministry  of  Fisheries,  Animal  Husbandry  and  Dairying, Government of India, is implementing various schemes and programmes for the holistic development of the Fisheries Sector. Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). The Department of Fisheries, Government of India (GoI), during the last five years, has approved projects with a total outlay of Rs. 21274.13 crore with a central share of Rs. 9189.74 crore for the establishment of production and processing clusters, Aqua Park,  establishment  of  fishing  harbours,  fish  landing  centres  and  development  of domestic  market  infrastructure  along  with  quality  testing  laboratories  and  traceability systems and value addition infrastructure. As a result of various well-thought-out policies and  initiatives  of  the  Government  of  India,  India's  seafood  exports  have  more  than doubled, from ₹30,213 crore in 2013-14 to ₹62,408 crore in 2024-25, and India has also secured comparability approval under the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), strengthening long-term access to the U.S. market.

Additionally,  the  Marine  Products  Export  Development  Authority  (MPEDA)  under  the Department  of  Commerce  continues  to  promote  marine  product  exports  through international  seafood  trade  fairs  and  exhibitions,  buyer-seller  meets,  branding  and promotion of Indian shrimp, and export facilitation measures aimed at expanding market access and ensuring stable global demand for Indian shrimp products.

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