The Indian government will host the Fisheries Startup Conclave 2.0 on 8 March 2025 in Hyderabad, Telangana. The event, led by Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh and Ministers of State S.P. Singh Baghel and George Kurian, aims to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in the fisheries sector.
One of the key highlights will be the launch of the National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP) Mobile App, designed to streamline digital access to fisheries-related services and resources. The government will also unveil the Fisheries Startup Grand Challenge 2.0, reinforcing its commitment to technological advancements and business development in the industry.
Fisheries Driving Employment & Innovation
India’s fisheries and aquaculture sector supports 30 million livelihoods, with employment spanning the entire value chain. Since 2015, the government has invested ₹38,572 crore through schemes like Blue Revolution, FIDF, PMMSY, and PM-MKSSY to ensure sustainable growth. This support has led to the rise of over 300 fisheries startups, integrating advanced technologies such as blockchain, IoT, and AI to enhance productivity, traceability, and value chain efficiency.
To strengthen the fisheries startup ecosystem, the Department of Fisheries has introduced several initiatives:
- Matsya Manthan Series – A knowledge-sharing platform for industry stakeholders.
- Dedicated Incubation Centres – Supporting fisheries startups across India.
- LINAC-NCDC Fisheries Business Incubation Centre (LIFIC) – Gurugram – Established under PMMSY in 2021, the first of its kind.
- Business Incubation Centre for Fisheries & Aquaculture – Guwahati Biotech Park – Set up with an outlay of ₹9 crore.
- New Incubation Centres – MANAGE Hyderabad, ICAR-CIFE Mumbai, and ICAR-CIFT Kochi will support 100 fisheries startups, cooperatives, FPOs, and SHGs.
Recognising & Supporting Fisheries Startups
At the conclave, Entrepreneur Model approvals will be distributed to emerging fisheries startups, providing them with official recognition and support. A technical feedback and interaction session will also be held, allowing industry experts, startups, and policymakers to discuss key initiatives by the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
This event marks another step towards boosting innovation and sustainability in India’s fisheries sector, ensuring long-term economic and environmental benefits.
