West Bengal ranks second in terms of highest fish production in India.
BJP government is going to be formed for the first time in West Bengal. This is Bengal which is famous all over the world for its fish and rice. Interestingly, Bengal, which is known for fish, is not at the first position in fish production. Central government figures confirm this. Statistics of the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying show that West Bengal ranks second in terms of highest fish production in India.
According to the report of the ministry, the production of fish which was 141.60 lakh tonnes in 2019-20 has increased by 38 percent to 197.75 lakh tonnes in 2024-25. The figures directly show that fish production has increased in the country. Know which state is on top in fish production, why it is so and to how many countries India is exporting fish.
Where is the biggest concentration of fish?
According to the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Andhra Pradesh is at the forefront in fish production in the country. This is on the first position. West Bengal is at second, Uttar Pradesh at third, Bihar at fourth and Odisha at fifth.
The report says, since the launch of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) in 2020, both fish production and fisheries productivity have increased in India. At the same time, after the launch of PMMSY in the country including Darbhanga district of Bihar, a significant increase in fish production has been recorded from the year 2020-21 to 2024-25.
Why is Andhra Pradesh at the forefront?
Andhra Pradesh is not at the forefront in fish production for no reason. Many reasons account for this. Let us understand it one by one.
- Long Beach: Andhra Pradesh has about 970 km long coastline along the Bay of Bengal. This has made large-scale production of marine fish and shrimp possible. This is a major reason behind the maximum production of fish.
- Stronghold of Rivers and Reservoirs: There are big rivers like Krishna and Godavari in Andhra Pradesh. Their delta areas, ponds and reservoirs have proved to be very beneficial for fisheries. They have also played a role in increasing the production of fish.
- Next in Shrimp Farming: Andhra Pradesh is ahead in aquaculture not just for nothing. This state is the largest center of shrimp production. Here shrimp are produced scientifically on a large scale and are exported to China, America and Europe.
- New methods of increasing production were adopted: Here, fish farming farmers adopted new methods instead of traditional methods. Like- improved feed management. Enhanced testing of water quality. Build hi-tech pond. Linked it to technology.
- Also adopt these methods: Fishery farmers in Andhra Pradesh took advantage of government schemes. Through subsidy, cold storage, export facility and training, its production was improved and export of fish abroad was increased. As a result, it became a profitable business and its scope kept expanding.
To how many countries is India exporting Indian fish?
130 countries of the world buy fish and seafood from India. This includes America, China, European countries, South Asian countries, Japan and many countries of the Middle East. America is India’s biggest partner in purchasing fish and seafood.
Andhra Pradesh has a big role in terms of exports because the export network here is also big. Marine products are sent abroad from ports like Visakhapatnam and Kakinada. Due to this, farmers doing fish farming get good profits. The climate here is hot and humid. It is considered very favorable for fish and prawn farming, due to which production is maintained throughout the year.
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