Sikkim gets India’s first notified organic fisheries cluster under PMMSY

Dairy, Livestock & Fisheries

Soreng: Sikkim’s Soreng district has emerged as India’s first notified organic fisheries cluster under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), marking a step towards developing certified organic fish production and strengthening market access for fish farmers in the Northeast. The initiative was highlighted during Union Fisheries Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh’s visit to Sikkim on November 2, during which he launched a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for organic certification of fisheries in the Northeastern region and inaugurated fisheries projects worth ₹375 lakh. The projects cover key infrastructure and technologies, including hatcheries, feed mills, cold storage facilities, biofloc systems and recirculatory aquaculture systems (RAS). These investments are expected to strengthen fish production, post-harvest management and other links in the fisheries value chain. The organic fisheries cluster in Soreng aims to promote fish farming without harmful chemicals, antibiotics and pesticides. Its focus species include Amur carp, Indian Major Carps and trout. Building on Sikkim’s established organic farming ecosystem, the cluster seeks to improve production practices, strengthen the fisheries value chain and create opportunities for fish farmers to access premium domestic and international markets. The newly launched SOP for organic certification is expected to provide a structured framework for organic fish production and...