Centre eyes Mizoram as fish-exporting state: Minister Lalan Singh
Synopsis
The Centre has set its sights on turning Mizoram into a fish-exporting state — not just self-sufficient — with Union Minister Lalan Singh personally visiting Aizawl to push key projects including a Wholesale Fish Market, an Integrated Aqua Park, and PMMSY 2.0 provisions. With ₹32.15 crore in projects set for inauguration and all eight Northeast states at the table, this is one of the most concrete federal fisheries pushes the region has seen.
Key Takeaways
Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh) met Mizoram CM Lalduhoma in Aizawl on 25 May 2025 , pledging to make Mizoram a fish-exporting state .
Centre is working to sanction a Wholesale Fish Market , an Integrated Aqua Park , and expanded Paddy-cum-Fish Culture clusters for Mizoram.
PMMSY 2.0 will include provisions for new fish ponds, pond renovation, and enhanced support for fish farmers.
Mizoram sought a 90:10 Central-state funding ratio for new Milk Processing Plants; the Centre responded positively.
Minister Singh will inaugurate projects worth ₹32.15 crore under PMMSY and FIDF at the Regional Review Meeting in Aizawl on Monday.
Ministers from all 8 Northeastern states will attend the hybrid regional fisheries and animal husbandry review meeting.
Union Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, widely known as Lalan Singh, on Sunday, 25 May 2025, declared that the Centre is committed to transforming Mizoram into not just a fish self-sufficient state but a fish-exporting state in the years ahead. The minister made the remarks during a high-level meeting with Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma in Aizawl, where he also assured full central support for the state's development proposals.
Key Announcements for Mizoram's Fisheries Sector
Union Minister Singh informed Chief Minister Lalduhoma that the Centre is actively working to sanction several critical projects proposed by the Mizoram government. These include the establishment of a Wholesale Fish Market, an Integrated Aqua Park, and the expansion of Paddy-cum-Fish Culture clusters to additional districts across the state.
He also highlighted that the forthcoming Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) 2.0 will carry dedicated provisions for construction of new fish ponds, renovation and rejuvenation of existing ones, and enhanced financial support for fish farmers. Singh urged the Mizoram government to submit well-prepared project proposals to maximise the state's benefits under the upgraded scheme.
Dairy and Animal Husbandry Commitments
On the dairy front, Chief Minister Lalduhoma raised the matter of a revised funding pattern for Milk Processing Plants under a new central scheme being formulated. The state has sought a more favourable 90:10 Central-state funding ratio, a shift from the existing arrangement.
Minister Singh responded positively, assuring that an additional sanction for Mobile Veterinary Units required by Mizoram would be considered, while advising the state to simultaneously implement already-sanctioned units. He also said the issue of Transport Subsidy for Animal Feed would be actively pursued. Notably, Singh emphasised that promoting local cultivation of animal feed within Mizoram would be the most sustainable long-term approach, with the Centre pledging support for such initiatives.
Regional Review Meeting for Northeast
The Union Minister's visit coincides with the Regional Review Meeting: Northeastern Region 2026, being organised by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying on Monday in Aizawl. The meeting will be chaired by Minister Singh, with Ministers of State S.P. Singh Baghel and George Kurian also in attendance.
Ministers in charge of Fisheries and Animal Husbandry from Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura are expected to participate in the hybrid-format event. The meeting will review progress across fisheries, animal husbandry, and dairying schemes in the Northeast and chart future strategies for sustainable growth, farmer welfare, and livelihood enhancement.
₹32.15 Crore in Projects to Be Inaugurated
During the regional meeting, Union Minister Singh will inaugurate and lay the foundation for key projects worth approximately ₹32.15 crore under PMMSY and the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF). The move underscores the Centre's stated commitment to building a self-sustained fisheries ecosystem across the Northeastern Region.
Singh was received at Lengpui Airport by Mizoram Ministers C. Lalsawivunga and Lalthansanga, along with senior state officials who also attended the Chief Minister's meeting. He was accompanied by Union Minister of State George Kurian and senior Central government officials throughout the visit.
With the Northeast receiving renewed central focus on blue economy and agri-allied sectors, all eyes will be on whether Mizoram's proposals translate into sanctioned projects under PMMSY 2.0 in the coming months.
Point of View
Infrastructure-thin, and dependent on central transfers. The real signal is in the PMMSY 2.0 framing: tying new pond construction and renovation to enhanced farmer support suggests a shift from pure output targets toward livelihood-linked metrics. However, the gap between ministerial assurances and sanctioned disbursements has historically been wide in the Northeast. The ₹32.15 crore inauguration figure, while welcome, is modest relative to the scale of transformation envisaged. The 90:10 funding ask on Milk Processing Plants is the shrewder ask — if conceded, it sets a precedent that other hill states will quickly invoke.
NationPress
11 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Union Minister Lalan Singh announce for Mizoram's fisheries sector?
Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh announced that the Centre aims to make Mizoram a fish-exporting state and is working to sanction key projects including a Wholesale Fish Market, an Integrated Aqua Park, and expanded Paddy-cum-Fish Culture clusters. He also urged the state to submit strong proposals under the upcoming PMMSY 2.0 scheme.
What is PMMSY 2.0 and how will it benefit Mizoram?
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) 2.0 is the upgraded iteration of the Centre's flagship fisheries scheme, which will include provisions for new fish ponds, renovation of existing ones, and enhanced support for fish farmers. Mizoram stands to benefit if it submits well-prepared proposals, as the minister specifically encouraged.
What is the Regional Review Meeting for the Northeastern Region?
It is a meeting organised by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying in Aizawl on Monday to review progress of central schemes across all eight Northeastern states. Ministers from Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura will participate in the hybrid-format event.
How much central funding is being directed to the Northeast through this visit?
Union Minister Singh will inaugurate and lay the foundation for projects worth approximately ₹32.15 crore under PMMSY and the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) during the regional meeting in Aizawl.
What did Mizoram request regarding dairy development funding?
Chief Minister Lalduhoma raised the issue of revising the funding pattern for new Milk Processing Plants to a 90:10 Central-state share, more favourable than the existing ratio. Minister Singh responded positively and also assured consideration of additional Mobile Veterinary Units for the state.
