Aquaculture in UP and its Impact in the Development of UP |ForumIAS

Uttar Pradesh is poised to overhaul its aquaculture sector with a ₹4,000-crore investment from the UAE-based Aqua Bridge Group, one of the largest foreign investments ever made in India’s aquaculture field. The initiative, planned for Saraiya village in Unnao under the UP Industrial Development Authority (UPIDA), will span six districts- Sitapur, Hardoi, Unnao, Ayodhya, Barabanki, and Rae Bareli.

The state has enormous inland saline and alkaline area of 1.36 lakh ha, spread out in different districts of Uttar Pradesh. On a trial basis, 28 hectares of inland saline area has been utilized for shrimp and brackish water fish culture in Agra, Mathura and Hathras districts of Uttar Pradesh. This has not only given encouraging results but has also set a good example for showcasing species diversification in fish culture. Uttar Pradesh is accelerating efforts to tap the immense potential of its aquaculture industry.

Aquaculture in UP

Table of Content

What has been the historical development of aquaculture in UP?
What have been the state specific initiatives to boost the aquaculture sector in UP?
What is the significance of aquaculture in the development of UP?
What are the challenges in the aquaculture sector of UP?
What should be the way forward?

What has been the historical development of aquaculture in UP?

Institutional Background & Early Development	The Uttar Pradesh Fisheries Department was established to promote planned development of the fisheries sector. Post-Zamindari abolition, several fishponds were transferred to the UP Fisheries department.
Expansion Through Five-Year Plans	Fisheries development gained significant momentum with the creation of Fish Farmers’ Development Agencies during the Sixth Five-Year Plan. These agencies improved access to loans, grants, training, and technical information for fish farmers. In order to meet rising demand for fish seed, the UP Fisheries Development Corporation established nine large hatcheries. By the Seventh Five-Year Plan, fisheries development agencies were present in every district, helping expand fish seed production and pond development.
Sector Modernization and Diversification	Under the CSS–Blue Revolution program, the state undertook major aquaculture development activities, contributing to a 30% increase in water-spread area for fish culture. The state began experimenting with inland saline and alkaline areas (1.36 lakh ha) for aquaculture. Pilot shrimp and brackish-water fish culture in Agra, Mathura, and Hathras saw encouraging results, demonstrating the potential for species diversification.
Policy and Regulatory Enhancements	Uttar Pradesh amended the UP Fisheries (Development and Control) Rules, 1954 and established the Fishermen Welfare Fund to support fisher livelihoods and sector management. A 10-year long-term policy was formulated for reservoir management, culture-based capture fisheries, and sustainable river fishing. Policies were initiated to regulate hatchery accreditation, seed certification, feed quality control, and fish/fish-product quality standards.
Institutional Strengthening, Technology Adoption and Capacity Building	Adoption of Recirculatory Aquaculture Systems (RAS) began, supporting intensive aquaculture practices and water conservation. The state organized large-scale training programs and workshops (ex- 1,200 workshops in 2017), created extensive cooperative societies, and implemented major welfare measures like DBT, insurance, and geo-tagging.
Recent Achievements of UP in Aquaculture	Rapid construction of hatcheries, ponds, rearing units, and cage culture systems has significantly boosted fish seed and table-fish production. Annual fish production has reached 19.9 lakh tonnes across 5.47 lakh ha water area. The aquaculture sector now contributes 0.38% to the state GDP and is a major source of rural employment.

What have been the state specific initiatives to boost the aquaculture sector in UP?

Policy and Regulatory Reforms	Amendment of the UP Fisheries (Development and Control) Rules, 1954 to establish the Uttar Pradesh Fishermen Welfare Fund. Formulation of a 10-year long-term policy focusing on- Reservoir fisheries management, Culture-based capture fisheries, Promotion of cage culture, Integrated reservoir development. Strict measures to prevent the culture of Clarias gariepinus (African catfish), a banned species. Policy formulation for hatchery accreditation, seed certification, feed quality control, and fish/fish-product quality assurance.
Implementation of State & Central Schemes	Construction of nurseries, development of waterlogged areas, strengthening of fish seed farms, and introduction of mobile fish parlours. Renovation of ponds under MGNREGS, generating local employment. Provision for doubling inputs in ponds across eight districts to boost production.
Production Enhancement Measures	Establishment of 49 freshwater hatcheries, 333 fish seed rearing units, and use of 1,755 captive fish seed rearing ponds. Construction of 262 ponds under Khet Talab Yojana in Bundelkhand. Introduction of RAS (Recirculatory Aquaculture System) technology to conserve water and enable intensive aquaculture.
Welfare and Financial Inclusion	Implementation of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), Aadhaar authentication, and geo-tagging for transparent subsidy delivery. Insurance support to 1.34 lakh fishermen under PM Suraksha Bima Yojana. Processing of 4,786 Kisan Credit Cards (KCCs) for fishers.
Digital Governance & Best Practices	Development of Aadhaar-authenticated digital portals for- Beneficiary registration, Online application processing, DBT-based fund transfer, Monthly progress reporting, Implementation of CSS and RKVY schemes. Barabanki district’s low-cost RAS model adopted nationally under the Blue Revolution.

What is the significance of aquaculture in the development of UP?

1. Enhances Rural Livelihoods & Generates Employment- Aquaculture provides sustainable income opportunities to rural households, especially in water-rich and economically weaker regions. For ex- Renovation of ponds under MGNREGS created direct employment for local youth while increasing fish production.

2. Expands Water Productivity through Efficient Resource Use- Aquaculture enables the productive use of ponds, reservoirs, waterlogged areas, and even saline/alkaline lands.
For ex- 1.36 lakh ha of saline/alkaline land in UP has been identified, and pilot shrimp farming in Agra, Mathura, and Hathras has yielded successful result-showing how unproductive land can become a high-value aquaculture asset.

3. Boosts Fish Production and Ensures Food & Nutritional Security- Increased fish production helps meet protein demands and supports nutrition-focused initiatives. For ex- With interventions such as hatcheries, cages, and tanks, UP achieved 19.9 lakh tonnes of fish production using over 5.47 lakh ha of water area.

4. Encourages Aquapreneurship– Rising adoption of innovative technologies creates space for new small-scale and commercial aquaculture enterprises.

5. Supports Environmental Sustainability- Technologies like RAS and cage culture improve water efficiency and reduce pressure on natural water bodies. For ex- Introduction of 58 RAS units helps conserve water while enabling high-density fish farming.

What are the challenges in the aquaculture sector of UP?

1. Limited Quality Seed and Hatchery Infrastructure- Shortage of high-quality fish seed (fingerlings, fry) affects stocking and survival rates. Many small hatcheries lack proper broodstock management.

2. Inadequate Water Resources- Heavy dependence on seasonal ponds, tanks, and village water bodies, many of which dry up in summer. Water pollution from agriculture (pesticides/fertilizers) affects pond ecology.

3. Poor Pond Management Practices- Low adoption of modern techniques such as proper feeding regimes, Water quality monitoring, and scientific pond preparation.

4. Disease Outbreaks- Increasing cases of bacterial, parasitic, and fungal infections. Limited veterinary/aquaculture extension support.

5. Financial and Cost Challenges- High input costs (feed, seed, fertilizers). Limited access to low-interest credit. Insurance for fish farming is still not widespread.

6. Market Access and Price Fluctuation- Lack of cold chain and processing infrastructure. Highly variable fish prices, especially for carp species.

7. Environmental and Regulatory Issues- Siltation of ponds and encroachment on village water bodies. Increasing frequency of heatwaves, low dissolved oxygen incidents.

8. Social and Land Issues- Fragmented landholding patterns make pond leasing difficult. Conflicts over rights to community ponds.

What should be the way forward?

1. Strengthen Seed and Hatchery Infrastructure- Establish more scientific hatcheries and nurseries with quality broodstock. Promote certified seed production and ensure last-mile delivery of fingerlings.

2. Improve Water Resource Management- Renovate and desilt existing village ponds and tanks. Promote integrated water use (irrigation + fisheries). Encourage rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge for perennial ponds.

3. Strengthen Disease Management and Biosecurity- Develop fish health laboratories and mobile diagnostic units. Promote use of probiotics, regular health monitoring, and biosecure farm design.

4. Enhanced Access to Credit and Insurance- Expand Kisan Credit Card (KCC) to fish farmers. Promote aquaculture insurance to reduce risk. Provide subsidies for infrastructure like aerators, feed mills, and cold storage.

5. Market and Value Chain Development- Establish cold chains, ice plants, and fish processing units. Create fish mandi networks and direct marketing platforms. Promote value-added products (fillets, pickles, smoked fish) to improve income.

6. Promote Species Diversification- Encourage farming of High-value species (Pangasius, Tilapia, Murrel, Seabass).

7. Empower Farmer Organizations- Form Fish Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and cooperatives. Collective marketing, feed procurement, and training to improve bargaining power.