Assam aims to nearly double fish output to 10 lakh tonnes by 2030-31

Assam's Fisheries Department has set a target of raising the state's annual fish production from 5.54 lakh metric tonnes to 10 lakh metric tonnes by 2030-31, The Sentinel reported on Monday, citing departmental data.

The department also wants to lift annual per capita fish consumption to 20 kg, double fish farmers' incomes and create more rural jobs through fisheries and allied work.

Where production stands

According to the department's figures, fish production rose from 4.17 lakh MT in 2021-22 to 5.54 lakh MT in 2025-26, a rise of about 33 per cent. Fish seed production grew about 12 per cent over the same period, from 18,219 million to 20,389 million.

Per capita fish availability in the state went up from 12.18 kg a year to 15.27 kg. Assam is ranked fourth among inland states for fish production and second for fish seed production, the report said.

Still buying from other states

Despite the growth, the state continues to depend on fish from outside. Imports were 20,073 MT in 2019-20, fell to 12,829 MT in 2020-21, and then rose to 22,731 MT in 2021-22 and 26,430 MT in 2022-23. They stood at about 18,241 MT in 2023-24, 20,926 MT in 2024-25 and 20,624 MT in 2025-26.

Most of this fish comes from Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Bihar. Fish is a staple in Assamese households, so the gap between local supply and demand represents a large market that local farmers could capture.

How the department plans to get there

The plan relies on moving farmers from traditional practices to scientific aquaculture, including AI-based and data-driven tools, along with better infrastructure, stronger institutional support and more research. The department's work also covers boosting quality seed output, running state and central schemes, collecting fisheries statistics and providing extension services to farmers and entrepreneurs.

Its priorities to 2030-31 include more livelihood opportunities, entrepreneurship, rural employment and taking modern technology to grassroots fish farmers.

A steep climb

Reaching 10 lakh MT in five years would need production to grow by roughly 12-13 per cent a year, much faster than the average of about 7-8 per cent a year achieved since 2021-22. The report noted that hitting the target will depend on sustained investment, higher productivity, reliable access to quality seed and scientific farming being adopted across the state.

The department has not published a year-wise roadmap or budget for the target.