New Delhi, March 18: The Government of India has supported the establishment of a state-of-the-art fisheries training centre in Himachal Pradesh to strengthen aquaculture capacity and improve skill development in the fisheries sector.

The Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying approved a proposal from the Government of Himachal Pradesh during 2022–23 for the establishment of a State-of-the-Art Fisheries Training Centre at Gagret. The project was sanctioned at a total cost of ₹5.17 crore, with the project cost restricted to ₹5 crore for interest subvention under the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF).

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), one of the designated nodal loaning entities under FIDF, sanctioned ₹5 crore to the Himachal Pradesh government for the project and has already disbursed the full sanctioned amount to facilitate its implementation.

The fisheries department is implementing several schemes nationwide aimed at holistic development of the fisheries sector across all states and union territories, including Himachal Pradesh. Key initiatives include the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), being implemented from 2020–21 to 2025–26, the FIDF scheme covering the period 2018–19 to 2025–26, and the central sector sub-scheme of PMMSY, Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah Yojana (PM-MKSSY), which runs from 2023–24 to 2026–27.

These programmes aim to address critical gaps in fish production and productivity by strengthening infrastructure, promoting technological adoption, improving post-harvest management systems, and modernising fisheries value chains. The schemes also focus on improving fishers’ livelihoods and enhancing welfare measures across the sector.

The government has also extended the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) facility to fishers and fish farmers since 2018–19, enabling them to meet working capital requirements and improve access to institutional credit for fisheries-related activities.

Data provided by the Himachal Pradesh government shows steady growth in fish production in key districts such as Kangra and Chamba over the past three years. Fish production in Kangra increased from 4,871.09 tonnes in 2022–23 to 5,480.62 tonnes in 2024–25, while Chamba recorded growth from 1,075.36 tonnes to 1,379.48 tonnes during the same period.

Overall fish production in Himachal Pradesh has also risen significantly in recent years. According to official figures, the state’s fish output increased from 13,745 tonnes in 2019–20 to 16,250 tonnes in 2025–26, reflecting steady expansion in aquaculture and fisheries activities.

Within this growth, Kangra district contributed around 2,850 tonnes of fish production, while Chamba district accounted for about 1,920 tonnes, highlighting the expanding aquaculture base in these regions.

The government believes that improved infrastructure, enhanced training facilities, and better access to institutional credit will further strengthen the fisheries ecosystem and support sustainable growth in fish production across the hill state.

This information was provided by Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Union Minister for the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.