Soreng, Nov 2 (JKNS): India has launched its first notified Organic Fisheries Cluster in Soreng district of Sikkim under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), marking a major step towards promoting sustainable fish farming and strengthening organic fisheries in the Northeastern region.
Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh visited Mangan district, Sikkim, on November 2, 2026, to review fisheries development initiatives under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). The visit was in line with the structured mechanism for periodic visits of Union Ministers to the Northeastern Region, put in place under the guidance of the Prime Minister to support effective implementation of development programmes in the Northeast region and obtain field-level feedback. The visit witnessed participation from Puran Kumar Gurung, Minister for Fisheries, AH&VS and Dairying, Agriculture & Horticulture, Government of Sikkim; Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary (Fisheries), Department of Fisheries, Government of India; high-level officials from the Sikkim state government, NFBD, ICAR Institutes, fish farmers, fisheries cooperatives and other relevant fisheries stakeholders.
The Union Minister visited the Live Fish Vending Centre supported under PMMSY and interacted with members of the Fish Farmers’ Cooperative Societies to understand the challenges faced on the ground. Fish feed was distributed to 15 fish farmers from two fisheries cooperative societies, reinforcing support for fish production and farmer-based institutions. The Minister also inspected stalls showcasing fish, ornamental fish and value-added fish products, along with dairy and animal products and locally grown organic vegetables, highlighting the diversity of livelihood and market opportunities in the region.
During the programme, the Union Minister launched the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Organic Certification of Fisheries in the Northeastern region and inaugurated projects worth ₹375 lakh under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), encompassing critical fisheries infrastructure such as hatcheries, feed mills, cold storage facilities and production-related technologies such as Biofloc and Recirculatory Aquaculture System (RAS). The projects inaugurated under PMMSY will strengthen critical links across the fisheries value chain. Kisan Credit Cards were distributed to fish farmers to facilitate access to institutional credit, while cheques were provided to five fish farmers under the Mukhya Mantri Matsya Uthpadhan Yojana (MMMUY), further strengthening financial support for fish farmers and fisheries-based livelihoods.
The Government has adopted a cluster-based approach for integrated development of the fisheries value chain, bringing together production, processing, value addition and marketing within identified geographical areas. Under PMMSY, 34 fisheries production and processing clusters have been notified across the country, including organic fisheries clusters in Sikkim and Meghalaya. Soreng district, Sikkim, is India’s first Organic Fisheries Cluster launched under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). The cluster focuses on ecologically healthy fish farming without the use of harmful chemicals, antibiotics and pesticides, with special emphasis on Amur carp, Indian Major Carps (IMC) and Trout. It seeks to build on Sikkim’s established organic ecosystem while strengthening the fisheries value chain, enhancing incomes of fish farmers and creating opportunities for premium domestic and international markets for organic fish and fish products.
The SOP for Organic Certification of Fisheries in the Northeastern region will further strengthen this ecosystem by providing a structured framework for organic production and supporting traceability across the value chain. By developing a more credible and market-oriented organic fisheries ecosystem, the initiative will enhance the positioning of organic fish products and support their access to premium domestic and export markets.
Sikkim has taken a pioneering step towards strengthening market linkages by entering an MoU with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) for institutional procurement of locally produced Rainbow Trout. The initiative seeks to provide a stable market for trout farmers while strengthening the value chain for this high-value coldwater fish. The proposed arrangement envisages regular supply of trout to ITBP establishments, with emphasis on quality specifications, supply capacity, pricing, inspection and supply schedules.
The visit to Sikkim underscored the Government’s focus on outcome-oriented development of fisheries in the Northeastern Region, with convergence of Central and State initiatives and active engagement of fish farmers and institutions. The interventions are expected to translate the region’s fisheries potential into higher farmer incomes, stronger local enterprise and sustainable economic opportunities, while contributing to the larger objective of inclusive growth in the region. (JKNS)
