Telangana’s Blue Revolution sets new milestones in inland fisheries

The previous BRS government's strategic interventions included the free distribution of fishlings and shrimp worth Rs 436.81 crore and Rs 85.02 crore respectively over 10 years period between 2014-15 and 2023-24

Hyderabad: Telangana continues to experience an extraordinary surge in fish and prawn farming, marking a true “blue revolution” for the State. With the State hitting a record milestone of 4,39,513 tonnes of fish production and 16,532 tonnes of prawn production for the year 2023-24, the Centre adjudged Telangana as the “Best Inland State” for fish production in the latest edition of awards presented in Delhi on Thursday.

Telangana’s efforts in aquaculture have redefined sustainable inland fisheries in India.

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The previous BRS government’s strategic interventions included the free distribution of fishlings and shrimp worth Rs 436.81 crore and Rs 85.02 crore respectively over 10 years period between 2014-15 and 2023-24.

The initiative, aimed at empowering fisher communities and boosting aquaculture, was launched in 2016-17, has driven consistent growth in fish and prawn production.

From 2014-15 to 2023-24, fish production in Telangana surged by 69.04 per cent, from 2.6 lakh tonnes to 4.39 lakh tonnes, with an impressive cumulative annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.01 per cent.

Similarly, prawn production soared by 97.94 per cent, from 8,352 tonnes to 16,532 tonnes, with a CAGR of 7.88 per cent. In 2023-24, prawn cultivation recorded a production of 16,532 tonnes, valued at Rs 545 crore.

Over the last decade, Telangana saw sustained double-digit growth, supported by enhanced infrastructure, market access, and welfare measures for fishers. The combined value of fish and prawn production rose from Rs 2,637 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 7,059 crore in 2023-24.

Telangana, now a leader in inland water spread with 5.73 lakh square kilometers of water bodies, stands as a model state for inland fisheries, with its products in demand across the country.

The growth in aquaculture has also significantly impacted the livelihoods of fishermen. The number of Fishermen Cooperative Societies (FCS) has increased from 4,002 in 2016-17 to 5,856 in 2023-24, while membership grew from 2.85 lakh in 2016-17 to about 4.1 lakh in 2023-24.

In post on X, BRS working president KT Rama Rao termed the national award to Telangana as a recognition of the Blue Revolution brought by the K Chandrashekhar Rao government. “This is the truth that cannot be hidden, and a history that cannot be erased. The national award to Telangana is Chandrashekhar Rao’s achievement,” he asserted.