PM Narendra Modi’s ‘Sahkar Se Samriddhi’ vision highlights national fisheries cooperative workshop in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: A national workshop on fisheries cooperative societies held in Hyderabad on Thursday brought together policymakers, fisheries experts, cooperative institutions and financial agencies to discuss ways to strengthen India’s fisheries ecosystem through the cooperative model.

The workshop, organised under the Ministry of Cooperation, focused on improving grassroots implementation of fisheries schemes, expanding cooperative-led businesses and creating stronger market and credit linkages for fisherfolk communities.

Officials said the initiative is part of a larger nationwide effort to promote the “Sahkar Se Samriddhi” vision by encouraging cooperation-driven growth in the fisheries sector.

Speaking at the event, Cooperation Secretary Dr. Ashish Kumar Bhutani said fisheries cooperatives can play a major role in improving rural livelihoods and generating sustainable income opportunities for fishing communities.

He stressed the need for stronger institutional systems, affordable financing, modern infrastructure and technology integration to improve production, processing and marketing across the fisheries value chain.

According to officials, discussions during the workshop focused on creating new fisheries cooperative societies, reviving inactive cooperatives and increasing participation of women and rural families in fisheries-related activities.

Union Fisheries Secretary Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi highlighted the growing opportunities in India’s fisheries sector and called for innovation-led growth supported by startups, digital platforms and modern infrastructure.

He also underlined the importance of aligning India’s fisheries sector with evolving global standards and export market requirements.

Technical sessions during the workshop covered a wide range of topics including reservoir fisheries, ornamental fish farming, bio-floc systems, recirculatory aquaculture systems (RAS), open-sea cage culture and seaweed cultivation.

Officials and experts also discussed fisheries insurance, cooperative financing models and strategies to improve access to institutional credit through district cooperative banks and development agencies.

Representatives from organisations such as the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), NAFED, NCDC, SFAC and MPEDA shared implementation experiences and cooperative development models from different states.

The workshop additionally reviewed schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), PM-MKSSY and the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF).

A separate session focused on value addition opportunities including fish waste utilisation, digital marketing, export promotion and circular economy models in marine fisheries.

Officials said the consultations will continue through regional workshops across the country to strengthen cooperative participation in fisheries and improve long-term economic security for fisherfolk communities.