Department of Fisheries, under Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAH&D), organized Fisheries Startup Conclave 2.0 in Hyderabad, Telangana. The event aimed at fostering entrepreneurship, technological advancements, and sustainability in fisheries and aquaculture sectors. The conclave brought together government officials, fisheries startups, entrepreneurs, and key stakeholders to discuss innovation, e-commerce opportunities, and policy interventions in sector.
Fisheries Startup Conclave 2.0 Highlights
Launch of National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP) Mobile App
- Developed under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY).
- Now available on Google Play Store, it streamlines access to government schemes for fisheries startups and stakeholders.
- Enables fishers, farmers, vendors, and processors to create digital work identities, integrating them into formal financial and welfare systems.
- Provides ₹100 for self-registration and ₹76 for registration via Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) of Common Service Centres (CSCs).
- Benefits over 19 lakh registered users, improving market linkages, cooperative strength, and traceability.
Fisheries Startup Grand Challenge 2.0
- Launched to support emerging fisheries startups.
- 10 winning startups will receive ₹1 crore each in funding.
- Winners will get structured incubation support from premier institutions like ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (ICAR-CIFT) and the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB).
Entrepreneur Model Approvals for Fisheries Startups
- Recognizes and supports innovative startups in fisheries.
- Aims to strengthen the fisheries startup ecosystem.
Technical Feedback & Interaction Session
- Provided a platform for in-depth discussions on India’s fisheries ecosystem.
- Featured key insights from National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
- Experience-sharing by successful fisheries startups.
About India’s Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector
Employment & Economic Impact:
The sector sustains 3 crore livelihoods and generates employment across the value chain. Since 2015, the government has invested ₹38,572 crore through initiatives like:
- Blue Revolution Scheme
- Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF)
- Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)
- Pradhan Mantri Matsya Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY)
Rise of Fisheries Startups:
Over 300 fisheries startups have emerged in recent years. These startups leverage advanced technologies such as blockchain, IoT, and AI to:
- Develop commercially viable solutions.
- Address grassroots challenges.
- Enhance productivity and traceability.
- Improve value chain efficiencies.
Government Initiatives to Support Fisheries Startups
Matsya Manthan Series: A knowledge-exchange platform to discuss emerging trends and best practices in fisheries.
Dedicated Incubation Centers:
- LINAC-NCDC Fisheries Business Incubation Centre (LIFIC), Gurugram – First of its kind under PMMSY, inaugurated in 2021.
- Business Incubation Centre for Fisheries & Aquaculture, Guwahati Biotech Park, Assam – ₹9 crore allocated.
- Three premier incubation centers notified under the Department of Fisheries: MANAGE Hyderabad; ICAR-CIFE Mumbai & ICAR-CIFT Kochi
- These centers aim to support 100 fisheries startups, cooperatives, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
Regular Stakeholder Consultations
- Address challenges in the fisheries startup ecosystem.
- Provide financial assistance and policy interventions to drive sectoral growth.