The cooperative-driven Blue Economy received a major boost as the Raigad Fisheries Cluster in Maharashtra emerged as a compelling model for integrated value-chain development. Union Fisheries Secretary Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi visited the cluster on October 28, 2025, engaging directly with stakeholders and reviewing progress on sustainable fisheries-based livelihoods. The review focused on scaling infrastructure, creating market linkages, and aligning development initiatives with flagship schemes like PMMSY and the Fisheries Infrastructure Development Fund.
Cluster-Based Development and Government Commitment
The Raigad Fisheries Cooperative Cluster, notified under PMMSY, represents one of 34 clusters driving India’s Blue Economy transformation. These clusters promote collective growth by integrating marine, freshwater, and brackish-water fisheries, aquaculture, deep-sea fishing, processing, and marketing. Dr. Likhi’s visit underscored the government’s commitment to empowering cooperatives, encouraging innovation, and enhancing the sector’s competitiveness and financial viability. He assured that stakeholder-prioritized needs such as fishing jetties, ice plants, cold storages, and dredging facilities would receive attention in upcoming project proposals.
Capacity Building, Market Linkages, and Innovation
The Secretary directed the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) to conduct awareness, training, and grievance redressal camps across Raigad. These efforts aim to expand the reach and effectiveness of government schemes, foster technology-driven growth, and strengthen market access for cooperative members. Participating officials, including Joint Secretaries Sagar Mehra and Neetu Kumari, advocated convergent, multi-ministry partnerships, technology adoption, and the development of Standard Operating Procedures for harbour management.
Roadmap and Stakeholder Engagement
NFDB Chief Executive Dr. B.K. Behera outlined a five-year plan targeting cold chain expansion, processing infrastructure, market integration, and welfare initiatives aligned with Maharashtra’s fisheries growth strategy. The dialogue involved 251 representatives of 156 Primary Fisheries Cooperative Societies and 9 Fish Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs), along with fishers from diverse segments, local administration, and financial institutions. Stakeholders highlighted infrastructure gaps, women-centric initiatives, credit needs, and best-practice sharing via exposure visits.
Broader Impact and National Vision
The Raigad cluster is an anchor for Sahkar se Samriddhi (prosperity through cooperation) and Atmanirbhar Bharat, advancing India’s goal for a competitive, inclusive, and resilient fisheries sector. Multi-level collaboration with the Ministry of Cooperation, NCDC, NFDB, MPEDA, NABARD, industry and local administration is fostering holistic development, innovation, and sustainable economic growth through cooperative strength.
Conclusion
The Raigad Fisheries Cluster showcases the potential of a cooperative-led approach to drive innovation, infrastructure upgrades, livelihoods, and inclusive growth across India’s Blue Economy. As a model for integrated development, it demonstrates how collaboration, technology, and stakeholder engagement can transform local value chains and national fisheries outcomes.
For more real-time updates, visit Channel 6 Network.
Source: PIB
