Telangana fish production reaches 4.56 lakh tons in 2024; Rs 7,059 crores contribution to State

Hyderabad: Telangana’s Fisheries Department has emerged as a leader in the country by housing 5,901 fisheries cooperative societies with a total membership of 4,13,120.

With 5.73 lakh sqkm of water, including reservoirs, Telangana has the third-largest inland water spread in the nation, marking a true ‘Blue Revolution’ for the State. It has the fifth place in the country for inland fish output.

Fish production of 4.56 lakh tons in 2024

This year, the state achieved fish production of 4.56 lakh tons, generating a revenue of Rs 7,059.04 crores, significantly contributing to the State’s economy. Telangana’s Fisheries Department has set new benchmarks in the sector, solidifying its position as a frontrunner in inland fisheries development in the country.

Since December 2023, as many as 225 new societies have been established, enrolling 8,069 new members, further strengthening the cooperative network. Under the Group Accidental Insurance Scheme, a premium of Rs 139.77 lakhs was paid to insure the lives of 4.16 lakh fishers, setting a notable example.

195.94 hectares of fish ponds sanctioned

Additionally, the construction of new fish ponds was sanctioned, covering an area of 195.94 hectares with a project cost of Rs 2,145.44 lakhs. To conserve and promote striped murrel fish, a centre of excellence is being set up at the Yellampalli Reservoir in the Mancherial district in collaboration with the ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA).

Furthermore, an export-oriented state-of-the-art fish market is being developed at Koheda in Ranga Reddy district at a cost of Rs 47.03 crores. As part of the Indira Mahila Shakti program, 32 mobile fish retail outlets were distributed to women’s self-help groups with a 60 per cent subsidy.

Apart from that, Telangana has won the National Award for Best Inland Fisheries for the year 2024. This award was presented in recognition of the innovative initiatives and development-focused outlook of the Fisheries Department in 2024.

The award was conferred by the Union Minister for Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, and Dairy, Rajiv Ranjan Singh, at a grand event held in Delhi on the occasion of World Fisheries Day. Special Chief Secretary of Fisheries, Sabyasachi Ghosh, IAS, and the Director of Fisheries, Priyanka Ala, IAS received the award and later they presented the award to Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy.