Madhya Pradesh is set to strengthen its position in India’s fisheries industry as the state prepares to host the Fisheries Investors & Exporters Conclave 2026 in Bhopal on October 23. The event, organised by the state’s Department of Fisheries in collaboration with the Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, will focus on attracting investment, expanding processing capacity and connecting inland fish production with domestic and international markets.
The conclave will bring together investors, seafood exporters, fish farmers, cooperatives, Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs), entrepreneurs, start-ups, processors, financial institutions and research organisations. More than 1,000 fish farmers from across Madhya Pradesh are expected to participate, creating opportunities for collaboration across production, infrastructure development, financing and market access.
A key highlight will be the launch of the Madhya Pradesh Fisheries Investment and Export Guidelines, 2026. The guidelines are intended to encourage investment across the fisheries value chain, including hatcheries, fish seed and feed production, reservoir fisheries, cage culture, aquatic animal health, processing, cold-chain facilities, logistics and value-added seafood products. Madhya Pradesh has been notified by the Centre as a Reservoir Fisheries Cluster, positioning the state to attract investment in reservoir-based aquaculture and related infrastructure.
The programme will also feature the release of Standard Operating Procedures outlining the export potential of inland states, alongside the virtual inauguration of Integrated Cage Culture Units. Union Fisheries Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh will hand over administrative approval for the Integrated Development of Reservoirs and Amrit Sarovars in Madhya Pradesh. These initiatives are expected to support the productive use of inland water resources and create opportunities for fisheries enterprises and associated businesses.
India’s expanding fisheries sector provides a significant market opportunity for investors and exporters. According to figures cited by the Department of Fisheries, the country’s total fish production reached 197.75 lakh tonnes in 2024–25, with inland fisheries contributing 151.60 lakh tonnes, or nearly three-fourths of the total. Meanwhile, India’s seafood exports were valued at ₹73,890 crore in 2025–26, underlining the sector’s contribution to export earnings and the importance of improving processing, preservation and market connectivity.
Madhya Pradesh has nearly 4.50 lakh hectares of water area, offering substantial potential for inland fisheries development. However, translating production capacity into higher commercial returns requires investment beyond fish farming itself. Improved cold storage, processing facilities, transport infrastructure, quality control and access to export markets can help reduce post-harvest losses, extend product shelf life and improve the value realised by fish farmers.
The conclave will seek to address these requirements by bringing producers and businesses closer to investors, processors and international buyers. Better integration of inland fisheries into established seafood supply chains could also create opportunities for logistics providers, refrigerated transport operators, packaging companies, equipment suppliers and exporters.
The event will be attended by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, Union Fisheries Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Union Minister of State S. P. Singh Baghel and Madhya Pradesh Fisheries Development Minister Narayan Singh Pawar.
As India looks to strengthen its seafood export competitiveness, the Bhopal conclave represents an effort to connect inland production with investment, value addition and organised markets. The success of these initiatives will depend on effective implementation of the new guidelines, access to finance, infrastructure development and sustained participation from private-sector investors and exporters.
For Madhya Pradesh and other inland states, a more integrated fisheries value chain could help unlock new commercial opportunities while supporting rural employment, improving fish farmers’ incomes and strengthening India’s position in domestic and global seafood markets.