The government is considering expanding saline water aquaculture in northern states including Punjab , Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, as it looks to repurpose salt-affected farmland for fish farming.

Officials from the Department of Fisheries said saline intrusion in these regions offers an opportunity for land-use optimisation through aquaculture. For FY25, the department has approved projects covering over 263 hectares—exceeding the 200-hectare target—with a budgetary allocation exceeding ₹36 crore.

Aquaculture clusters will be set up in Muktsar Sahib (Punjab) and Sirsa ( Haryana ) under the initiative.

Meanwhile, under the government’s flagship programme–Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)–Punjab has attracted investment of ₹187 crore while fish production in the

See Full Page