Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu addressing a joint press conference following the inauguration of a workshop on seafood exports in Visakhapatnam on Friday. (From left) Union Ministers K. Rammohan Naidu, Piyush Goyal, Rajiv Ranjan Singh and Chirag Paswan are on the dais.
| Photo Credit: V RAJU
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has emphasised that ‘Blue Economy’ is a key driver of future economic growth. Underscoring the State’s leadership in fisheries production and exports, he called for a collaborative approach to build a globally competitive and trusted Indian seafood brand based on quality, sustainability, and traceability.
Mr. Naidu, as chief guest, opened the deliberations at a high-level two-day National Workshop on Seafood Exports, that began here on Friday. It was organised by the Department of Fisheries in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Andhra Pradesh government.
The event brought together senior Central government officials, representatives from States and Union Territories, and key national institutions such as MPEDA, EIC, NFDB, and NABARD to chart a comprehensive roadmap for strengthening India’s seafood export ecosystem.
With the nation actively working toward a significant target of ₹1 lakh crore in seafood exports, the workshop served as a critical platform to integrate innovation, infrastructure, and institutional support.
Facilities in Vizag
Addressing the workshop, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal emphasised the necessity of adopting advanced technologies to harness the full potential of India’s aquatic resources. He stated that the government’s vision is to position India as a globally trusted brand, noting that the strengthening of export infrastructure, including the potential establishment of quarantine and allied facilities in Visakhapatnam, remains a top priority to facilitate seamless trade.
Providing a sectoral overview, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh noted that production and exports have more than doubled over the past decade to 197 lakh tonnes and over ₹73,000 crore, respectively. Highlighting a focus on infrastructure, he announced the approval of a “Smart and Integrated Fishing Harbour” at Kakinada under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). With an outlay of ₹72.42 crore, the project will provide berthing for 423 vessels, cater to 74,448 tonnes of annual landings, and generate employment for approximately 12,345 people.
Logistics
The logistical and value-addition dimensions were addressed by Union Minister of Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu and Union Minister of Food Processing Industries Chirag Paswan.
Mr. Rammohan Naidu advocated for a “whole-of-government” approach to streamline air cargo networks and multimodal logistics to ensure cost-effective global delivery.
Mr. Chirag Paswan urged stakeholders to shift from “volume to value” and “produce to product,” pointing to the untapped potential in the ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook segments.
Challenges
During the proceedings, industry stakeholders and officials identified several structural challenges, including disease management, high input costs, and the need for improved cold-chain infrastructure.
Presentations by various ministries and associations stressed the importance of adopting new technologies and market diversification. The event also featured the distribution of benefits under PMMKSSY and Kisan Credit Cards (KCC).
Published – June 05, 2026 09:17 pm IST
