Bhubaneswar: Odisha is set to embark on a transformative journey toward becoming a national powerhouse in marine and freshwater resource management as part of its Viksit Odisha 2036 strategy.
The State Government has unveiled an ambitious Blue Economy Vision that leverages its 575 kilometer coastline and vast inland water bodies to drive economic prosperity and food security.
Under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi and guidance of the Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister Shri Gokulananda Mallick, Odisha is positioning itself as a global leader in the sustainable utilization of ocean resources and coastal economic power.
Shri Prem Chandra Chaudhary, Secretary, Fisheries and Animal Resources Development, is currently spearheading the creation of a comprehensive roadmap to ensure these long term goals are met through systematic implementation.
A cornerstone of this initiative is the launch of the Odisha Shrimp Mission, which aims to propel the state into the top two positions for shrimp production and export in India. The mission plans to expand cultivable brackish water areas from the current 2 kilometer limit to 10 kilometers from the coastline. By focusing on high quality seed and feed production along with expanded processing capabilities, the state targets a production level of 1.4 million metric tonnes per annum.
The vision also extends to the freshwater sector, where Odisha intends to rank among the top three producers and exporters nationwide. Development of specialized aquaculture clusters will focus on export oriented and genetically improved fish species, aiming for a total production target of 3 million metric tonnes per annum. This growth is expected to provide stable livelihoods for rural communities while addressing the nutritional needs of the country.
Marine fishing efforts will be significantly scaled up to reach 0.6 million metric tonnes per annum. Key infrastructure projects include the establishment of deep sea fishing harbors, beginning at Gopalpur, and the introduction of advanced deep sea vessels and tuna long liners. To ensure environmental sustainability, the state will implement sea ranching and artificial reefs to replenish coastal stocks, supported by updated water leasing policies for territorial waters.
This strategic focus on the blue economy is a vital component of Odisha’s broader objective to reach a 1.5 trillion dollar economy by 2047. By transforming the fisheries and maritime sectors, the state expects to generate millions of non-farm jobs and substantially increase per capita income.