PMMSY-Backed Ornamental Fish Brood Bank Emerges as ₹1.93 Crore Export Success Story
Operating under the brand “Sam Discus,” the facility has positioned itself among India’s leading producers of high-quality discus fish and currently conserves and breeds over 25 ornamental fish varieties.
Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary, Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, interacting with beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana during his visit to the ornamental fisheries brood bank in Raigad, Maharashtra, to assess implementation outcomes and sectoral challenges.
Raigad (Maharashtra): India’s ornamental fisheries sector is witnessing strong growth under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), with a brood bank established in Maharashtra emerging as a successful export-oriented enterprise generating revenues of nearly ₹1.93 crore, the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying said in a statement on Saturday.
The ornamental fisheries brood bank at Mangrul village in Raigad district, developed by Yashodhara Sanjay Khandagale under PMMSY support, has produced around 7.7 lakh ornamental fish across 20 species while creating direct and indirect employment opportunities for nearly 25–30 people.
Operating under the brand “Sam Discus,” the facility has positioned itself among India’s leading producers of high-quality discus fish and currently conserves and breeds over 25 ornamental fish varieties. Equipped with more than 700 tanks, the brood bank also supports skill development, adoption of scientific breeding practices, and export-oriented aquaculture.
The unit exports ornamental fish to multiple international markets including the United States, Italy, France, Mauritius, South Korea, Qatar, Kuwait, Malaysia, China, Uzbekistan, Nigeria, and Israel, highlighting the growing export potential of India’s ornamental fisheries ecosystem.
The initiative was showcased during a visit by Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary, Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, who interacted with PMMSY beneficiaries to assess implementation outcomes and sectoral challenges.
India currently hosts nearly 700 indigenous freshwater species and more than 300 marine ornamental fish species, providing significant biodiversity advantages for the sector. Ornamental fisheries exports from India are estimated at around ₹41 crore.
Under PMMSY, the Government has supported 1,986 backyard ornamental fish rearing units, 6,018 fish kiosks and aquariums, and 117 retail fish markets, including dedicated ornamental fish and aquarium markets. In addition, five freshwater ornamental fish brood banks and 199 integrated ornamental fish units have been established across the country.
The Department of Fisheries has also notified 34 fisheries production and processing clusters nationwide, including an ornamental fisheries cluster in Madurai, aimed at strengthening the fisheries value chain and enhancing livelihood opportunities.
Maharashtra remains a major fisheries hub with an 878-km coastline, 173 fish landing centres, and 526 fishing villages supporting over 15 lakh fisherfolk. The state recorded fish production of around 5.9 lakh tonnes during 2022–23.
