Fisheries Startup Conclave 2.0 Launched in Hyderabad to Boost Innovation and Digital Transformation

Hyderabad: The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying (MoFAH&D) hosted the Fisheries Startup Conclave 2.0 in Hyderabad, bringing together key stakeholders to drive innovation and technological advancements in the fisheries sector. The event was inaugurated by Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, along with Minister of State Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel and Prof. Ramesh Chand, Member of NITI Aayog.

A major highlight of the conclave was the launch of the Fisheries Startup Grand Challenge 2.0, designed to support ten winning startups with ₹1 crore in funding. Each selected startup will receive structured incubation support from ICAR-CIFT, NFDB, and other affiliated institutions under the Department of Fisheries. These incubators will provide mentoring, capacity-building programs, and access to manufacturing infrastructure to help startups scale their solutions.

The event also marked the launch of the National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP) Mobile Application, developed under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY). Now available on the Google Play Store, the app simplifies access to government schemes, financial aid, insurance, and training programs for fishers, vendors, and processors. The platform strengthens cooperatives, improves traceability, and enhances market linkages, benefiting over 19 lakh registered users.

India’s fisheries and aquaculture sector supports 3 crore livelihoods, and since 2015, the government has invested ₹38,572 crore to ensure sustainable growth. This has led to the emergence of over 300 fisheries startups leveraging technologies such as blockchain, IoT, and AI to enhance productivity, sustainability, and value chain efficiencies.

The Department of Fisheries continues to drive digital transformation, with initiatives like NFDP and the National Fisheries Digital Platform, first launched in September 2024. By addressing key challenges in the fisheries value chain and integrating modern technology with traditional knowledge, these efforts aim to position India as a global leader in sustainable fisheries and aquaculture.