RAS and biofloc expansion aims to produce more fish with tighter water use
The fisheries ministry reports approval of 9,467 recirculating aquaculture systems and 4,573 biofloc units under PMMSY.
The Fisheries Ministry says recirculating aquaculture systems can reuse up to 90 to 95% of their water. Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, it reports approval of 9,467 RAS units and 4,573 biofloc units with a combined value of Rs 4,120 crore.
The release also reports national fish production of 198 lakh tonnes in 2024-25, up from 95.79 lakh tonnes in 2013-14, and fisheries exports of Rs 73,890 crore in 2025-26.
Why it matters
Intensive aquaculture can place production closer to demand while reducing land and water requirements. Its wider value depends on energy demand, feed efficiency, disease control, waste handling and farmer economics.
SCULTRA point of view
The programme should distinguish approved units from commissioned and viable operations. Survival rates, feed conversion, energy and water intensity, biosecurity, operating margins and environmental compliance belong on the public scorecard.
Limitations
The figures are official claims, and approvals do not equal completed or commercially viable installations. The release provides no audited utilisation, failure-rate or environmental-impact dataset.
Source: Press Information Bureau / Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, 7 September 2026.