The Government of India in the Union Budget, 2026-27 has announced the development of fisheries and aquaculture by undertaking integrated development of 500 reservoirs and Amrit Sarovars in the country. The initiative reinforces the Government’s objective to harvest the untapped fisheries potential from reservoirs and Amrit Sarovars, strengthening livelihood of fishermen in the reservoirs and engagement of women self help groups (SHGs), fisheries cooperatives, Fish Farmers Producer Organizations (FFPO) for development of fisheries in Amrit Sarovars and Reservoirs. The key components envisaged for implementation of such initiatives includes strengthening quality seed production by establishing hatchery, promotion of cage and pen culture in reservoir, providing boats and nets to reservoir fishermen, promotion of composite fish culture and integrated fish farming in the Amrit Sarovar, establishment of fisheries infrastructure such as fish feed mill, cold storage, ice plant, fish kiosk and retail fish market, fish transport vehicle and fish value added unit.

(b): The Department of Fisheries (DoF), Government of India (GoI) in consultation with States and Union Territories (UTs) has selected 351 reservoirs and 100 Amrit Sarovars. The selection was based on the lists submitted by the States and UTs, considering the perennial water availability and fisheries potential of the identified reservoirs and Amrit Sarovars.

(c): The Department of Fisheries (DoF), Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAH&D), Government of India (GoI) with the objective of enhancing fisher’s income in the country is promoting Fish Farmer Producer Organization (FFPOs), women-led groups and fisheries cooperatives under the Integrated development of Reservoirs and Amrit Sarovars. This includes the formation of new Fish Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs), women-led groups, and fisheries cooperatives, as well as support for existing ones, in the selected reservoirs and Amrit Sarovars.

(d): The investment for the implementation of the Integrated Development of Reservoirs and Amrit Sarovars shall be based on the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) submitted by the States and Union Territories (UTs). The unit cost and funding pattern shall be as per the existing guidelines of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).

This information was given by Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh in the Rajya Sabha in response to a question asked.

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JP