{"id":350201,"date":"2025-11-18T15:44:56","date_gmt":"2025-11-18T10:14:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/?p=350201"},"modified":"2025-11-18T15:44:56","modified_gmt":"2025-11-18T10:14:56","slug":"aquaculture-in-up-and-its-impact-in-the-development-of-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/aquaculture-in-up-and-its-impact-in-the-development-of-up\/","title":{"rendered":"Aquaculture in UP and its Impact in the Development of UP"},"content":{"rendered":"

Uttar Pradesh is poised to overhaul its aquaculture sector with a \u20b94,000-crore investment<\/strong> from the UAE-based Aqua Bridge Group<\/strong>, one of the largest foreign investments ever made in India\u2019s aquaculture field. The initiative, planned for Saraiya village in Unnao under the UP Industrial Development Authority (UPIDA)<\/strong>, will span six districts- Sitapur<\/strong>, Hardoi<\/strong>, Unnao<\/strong>, Ayodhya<\/strong>, Barabanki<\/strong>, and Rae Bareli<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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

\"Aquaculture<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Table of Content<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What has been the historical development of aquaculture in UP?<\/a>
\nWhat have been the state specific initiatives to boost the aquaculture sector in UP?<\/a>
\nWhat is the significance of aquaculture in the development of UP?<\/a>
\nWhat are the challenges in the aquaculture sector of UP?<\/a>
\nWhat should be the way forward?<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/a>What has been the historical development of aquaculture in UP?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Institutional Background & Early Development<\/strong><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • The Uttar Pradesh Fisheries Department was established<\/strong> to promote planned development of the fisheries sector.<\/li>\n
  • Post-Zamindari abolition<\/strong>, several fishponds were transferred<\/strong> to the UP Fisheries department.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Expansion Through Five-Year Plans<\/strong><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Fisheries development gained significant momentum with the creation of Fish Farmers\u2019 Development Agencies<\/strong> during the Sixth Five-Year Plan<\/strong>. These agencies improved access to loans<\/strong>, grants<\/strong>, training<\/strong>, and technical information<\/strong> for fish farmers.<\/li>\n
  • In order to meet rising demand for fish seed, the UP Fisheries Development Corporation<\/strong> established nine large hatcheries<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
  • By the Seventh Five-Year Plan<\/strong>, fisheries development agencies<\/strong> were present in every district<\/strong>, helping expand fish seed production<\/strong> and pond development.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sector Modernization and Diversification<\/strong><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Under the CSS\u2013Blue Revolution program<\/strong>, the state undertook major aquaculture development activities, contributing to a 30% increase in water-spread area<\/strong> for fish culture.<\/li>\n
  • The state began experimenting with inland saline and alkaline areas (1.36 lakh ha)<\/strong> for aquaculture. Pilot shrimp and brackish-water fish culture in Agra<\/strong>, Mathura<\/strong>, and Hathras<\/strong> saw encouraging results, demonstrating the potential for species diversification<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Policy and Regulatory Enhancements<\/strong><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Uttar Pradesh amended the UP Fisheries (Development and Control) Rules, 1954<\/strong> and established the Fishermen Welfare Fund<\/strong> to support fisher livelihoods and sector management.<\/li>\n
  • A 10-year long-term policy<\/strong> was formulated<\/strong> for reservoir management<\/strong>, culture-based capture fisheries<\/strong>, and sustainable river fishing.<\/li>\n
  • Policies were initiated to regulate hatchery accreditation<\/strong>, seed certification<\/strong>, feed quality control<\/strong>, and fish\/fish-product quality standards.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Institutional Strengthening, Technology Adoption and Capacity Building<\/strong><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Adoption of Recirculatory Aquaculture Systems (RAS)<\/strong> began, supporting intensive aquaculture practices and water conservation.<\/li>\n
  • The state organized large-scale training programs<\/strong> and workshops (ex- 1,200 workshops in 2017<\/strong>), created extensive cooperative societies, and implemented major welfare measures like DBT, insurance, and geo-tagging.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Recent Achievements of UP in Aquaculture\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\nRapid construction of hatcheries<\/strong>, ponds<\/strong>, rearing units<\/strong>, and cage culture systems<\/strong> has significantly boosted fish seed and table-fish production.
\nAnnual fish production has reached 19.9 lakh tonnes<\/strong> across 5.47 lakh ha water area<\/strong>.
\nThe aquaculture sector now contributes 0.38%<\/strong> to the state GDP<\/strong> and is a major source of rural employment<\/strong>.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/a>What have been the state specific initiatives to boost the aquaculture sector in UP?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Policy and Regulatory Reforms<\/strong><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Amendment of the UP Fisheries (Development and Control) Rules, 1954<\/strong> to establish the Uttar Pradesh Fishermen Welfare Fund.<\/li>\n
  • Formulation of a 10-year long-term policy<\/strong> focusing on- Reservoir fisheries management, Culture-based capture fisheries, Promotion of cage culture, Integrated reservoir development.<\/li>\n
  • Strict measures to prevent the culture<\/strong> of Clarias gariepinus (African catfish),<\/strong> a banned species.<\/li>\n
  • Policy formulation for hatchery accreditation<\/strong>, seed certification<\/strong>, feed quality control<\/strong>, and fish\/fish-product quality assurance<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Implementation of State & Central Schemes<\/strong><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Construction<\/strong> of nurseries<\/strong>, development of waterlogged areas<\/strong>, strengthening of fish seed farms<\/strong>, and introduction of mobile fish parlours<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
  • Renovation of ponds<\/strong> under MGNREGS<\/strong>, generating local employment.<\/li>\n
  • Provision for doubling inputs<\/strong> in ponds across eight districts to boost production.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Production Enhancement Measures<\/strong><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Establishment of 49 freshwater hatcheries<\/strong>, 333 fish seed rearing units<\/strong>, and use of 1,755 captive fish seed rearing ponds<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
  • Construction of 262 ponds<\/strong> under Khet Talab Yojana<\/em> in Bundelkhand.<\/li>\n
  • Introduction of RAS (Recirculatory Aquaculture System) technology<\/strong> to conserve water and enable intensive aquaculture.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Welfare and Financial Inclusion<\/strong><\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Implementation of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)<\/strong>, Aadhaar authentication<\/strong>, and geo-tagging for transparent<\/strong> subsidy delivery.<\/li>\n
  • Insurance support to 1.34 lakh fishermen<\/strong> under PM Suraksha Bima Yojana<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
  • Processing of 4,786 Kisan Credit Cards (KCCs)<\/strong> for fishers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Digital Governance & Best Practices<\/strong><\/td>\n\n