Next-Gen Aquaculture in India: Harnessing RAS and Bio-floc Technology in the Blue Economy for the Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat Vision

The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying highlights the growth of India's fisheries and aquaculture sector, positioning the country as the world's second-largest fish producer, second-largest aquaculture producer, and the largest producer and exporter of shrimp. Driven by cumulative government investments exceeding ₹39,272 crore since 2015 and flagship programs like the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), annual fish production and seafood exports have witnessed substantial expansion. The adoption of advanced, resource-efficient technologies such as Recirculatory Aquaculture Systems (RAS) and Biofloc technology—which recycle up to 90–95% of water and enable controlled, year-round farming across diverse agro-climatic zones—is central to this modernization. These systems support high-value exports, cold-water fisheries in Himalayan regions, saline-water shrimp farming, and ornamental fish rearing, advancing India's blue economy and Viksit Bharat vision.