Fishing in Bihar: Growth Trends, Schemes and Economic Importance (Economic Survey 2025

1. Introduction: Status of Fishing in Bihar

Fishing in Bihar has emerged as one of the fastest-growing components of the primary sector. Agriculture, forestry and fishing together contributed 23.1 percent to the Gross State Value Added (GSVA) in 2023–24, reflecting the continued importance of allied activities in the rural economy. Within this framework, fish production recorded a 9.9 percent growth between 2023–24 and 2024–25, indicating strong expansion in aquaculture activities.

Unlike coastal states, fishing in Bihar is entirely based on inland water resources such as rivers, ponds, tanks, chaurs and reservoirs. The state is nourished by major rivers including the Ganga, Gandak, Kosi and Son, which create a vast network of water bodies suitable for fisheries. With expanding irrigation infrastructure and targeted state schemes like pond and chaur development programmes, fishing in Bihar is gradually shifting from traditional capture fishing to commercial pond-based aquaculture.

Thus, fisheries today represent not merely a supplementary activity but an important pillar of income diversification, nutritional security and rural employment in Bihar’s agrarian economy.

2. Inland Water Resource Base of Bihar

Fishing in Bihar is fundamentally dependent on its vast inland water resources. Unlike marine states, Bihar’s fisheries sector is entirely riverine and pond-based. The state lies in the middle Gangetic plain and is traversed by major perennial rivers such as the Ganga, Gandak, Kosi and Son, along with tributaries like the Punpun and Phalgu. These rivers not only sustain agriculture but also provide significant scope for capture fisheries.

As of 2024–25, Bihar possesses a strong surface water infrastructure base. The state has 968 canals, 14,927 tubewells, 654 tanks (including traditional ahar–pyne systems and ponds) and 26 reservoirs. This extensive network creates substantial potential for inland aquaculture. In addition, floodplain wetlands locally known as chaurs expand during monsoon and serve as seasonal fish breeding and rearing grounds.

The irrigation expansion programmes have further strengthened water availability. Hundreds of minor and medium irrigation schemes have restored or created irrigation potential across several lakh hectares, indirectly benefiting aquaculture by ensuring water retention in ponds and tanks.

However, despite this rich water base, the utilisation rate for scientific fish farming remains uneven across districts. North Bihar’s flood-prone ecology offers high natural productivity, whereas parts of South Bihar face seasonal water scarcity. Therefore, the inland water resource base provides strong natural advantage for fishing in Bihar, but productivity depends on infrastructure management and modern aquaculture practices.

3. Fish Production Trends and Growth Analysis

Fishing in Bihar has shown consistent expansion in recent years, indicating structural improvement in inland aquaculture. Between 2023–24 and 2024–25, fish production increased by 9.9 percent, making fisheries one of the fastest-growing allied agricultural activities in the state. This growth rate is significant because it exceeds the overall growth of the primary sector in the same period.

The steady rise in production reflects a gradual shift from traditional river-based capture fishing to scientific pond-based aquaculture. Expansion of pond development schemes, input subsidies and better seed availability has contributed to this trend. The state government’s focused investment in irrigation and water infrastructure has also ensured improved water retention in ponds and tanks, which directly supports higher fish productivity.

Districts in North Bihar, particularly those with abundant wetlands and chaurs, contribute significantly to total output due to favourable floodplain ecology. At the same time, South Bihar districts are increasingly adopting controlled pond aquaculture supported by government schemes.

Thus, the production trend demonstrates that fishing in Bihar is moving from subsistence-level activity toward commercially viable aquaculture, with policy support playing a catalytic role in sustaining nearly double-digit annual growth.

4. Types of Fisheries in Bihar

Fishing in Bihar can be broadly classified into capture fisheries and culture fisheries, depending on the source of water and method of production. The structure of fisheries reflects the state’s inland riverine ecology and expanding aquaculture practices.

Capture Fisheries (River-Based Fishing)

This is the traditional form of fishing carried out in rivers such as the Ganga, Gandak, Kosi and Son. Fisher communities depend on natural fish stocks available in flowing waters. Production in this segment depends heavily on monsoon flow, flood patterns and natural breeding cycles. While ecologically important, river capture fisheries show fluctuating output due to pollution, siltation and overfishing.

Culture Fisheries (Pond-Based Aquaculture)

This is the fastest-growing segment of fishing in Bihar. Fish are scientifically reared in ponds, tanks and reservoirs under controlled conditions. The state has hundreds of tanks, ahar–pyne systems and irrigation ponds that are now being utilised for aquaculture. Government schemes promoting pond renovation and input subsidies have significantly expanded this segment.

Chaur-Based Fisheries

In flood-prone North Bihar, large seasonal wetlands known as chaurs act as natural fish breeding grounds. Under integrated chaur development schemes, these low-lying lands are being converted into productive aquaculture zones. This model combines flood management with income generation.

Integrated Fish Farming

Modern initiatives encourage integration of fish farming with agriculture, livestock or duck rearing. This improves resource use efficiency and farmer income. Integrated models are particularly promoted in chaur areas and permanent ponds.

Thus, the diversity of fisheries types demonstrates that fishing in Bihar is no longer limited to traditional river fishing but increasingly driven by organised and scheme-supported aquaculture systems.

5. Government Schemes Promoting Fishing in Bihar

The rapid expansion of fishing in Bihar is strongly supported by targeted state-level schemes aimed at increasing productivity, modernising aquaculture and improving farmer income. The Bihar Economic Survey 2025–26 highlights significant financial allocation and physical achievements in the fisheries sector.

Mukhyamantri Samekit Chaur Vikas Yojana

This scheme focuses on developing flood-prone chaur lands into productive aquaculture zones. In 2024–25, around 510 hectares of chaur land were developed, with a total expenditure of ₹24.67 crore. The objective is to promote integrated fish farming in low-lying flood-prone regions of North Bihar. This approach converts seasonal waterlogging from a liability into an economic asset, directly supporting fish farmers in vulnerable districts.

Mukhyamantri Talab Matsyaki Vikas Yojana

This scheme aims at sustainable utilisation of ponds, tanks and other water bodies for fish production. In 2024–25, the state government spent ₹40.95 crore under this programme. Out of this, ₹30.35 crore was allocated specifically for advance input supply, including fish seed, feed and other essentials. The scheme encourages scientific aquaculture practices and productivity enhancement in existing ponds.

Expansion of Irrigation and Water Infrastructure

Aquaculture growth is closely linked to water availability. In 2024–25, total expenditure on irrigation reached ₹2,729.83 crore, marking a 63.1 percent increase over the previous year. Additionally, hundreds of irrigation schemes have restored or created irrigation potential across several lakh hectares. This expansion ensures stable water retention in ponds and reservoirs, directly benefiting fish farming activities.

Climate Resilience and Disaster Support

Fishing in Bihar is highly influenced by floods and climate variability. During the 2024–25 flood season, substantial compensation was provided to affected farmers under disaster management provisions. Furthermore, 30 districts have been included under the Climate-Resilient Agriculture Programme, with an allocation of ₹238.49 crore, indirectly strengthening adaptive capacity in allied sectors including fisheries.

These schemes collectively demonstrate that fishing in Bihar is not left to traditional practices alone but is being actively supported through infrastructure investment, targeted subsidies and climate adaptation strategies.

6. Fisheries and Rural Livelihood Diversification

Fishing in Bihar has emerged as an important instrument for rural income diversification, particularly for small and marginal farmers who constitute the majority of landholders in the state. With agriculture, forestry and fishing together contributing 23.1 percent to the state’s GSVA in 2023–24, allied activities like fisheries play a crucial role in supplementing crop income.

The near 10 percent growth in fish production in 2024–25 indicates expanding commercial aquaculture opportunities. Unlike seasonal crop cultivation, fish farming can provide relatively continuous income cycles, especially in scientifically managed ponds. In flood-prone districts of North Bihar, chaur-based aquaculture converts waterlogged land into a productive economic asset, reducing vulnerability.

Fishing activities also generate employment in pond preparation, seed stocking, feed supply, harvesting, transportation and local marketing. This creates multiplier effects within rural economies. The expansion of irrigation infrastructure—where expenditure rose to ₹2,729.83 crore in 2024–25—has indirectly supported pond-based aquaculture by improving water availability.

Furthermore, fisheries contribute to nutritional security by increasing local availability of protein-rich food. As Bihar continues to diversify its agrarian economy, fishing in Bihar is increasingly becoming a viable livelihood alternative rather than merely a supplementary occupation.

7. Challenges in Fishing in Bihar

Despite steady growth and policy support, fishing in Bihar faces several structural and ecological constraints that limit its full potential.

Low Productivity of Traditional Water Bodies

Although Bihar has an extensive inland water base with 968 canals, 654 tanks and 26 reservoirs, a large proportion of ponds and traditional ahar–pyne systems remain underutilised or poorly managed. Many ponds suffer from siltation, inadequate stocking density and absence of scientific feeding practices. As a result, average productivity remains below the potential achievable through modern aquaculture techniques.

Flood and Climate Vulnerability

The state’s multi-hazard profile creates production instability. In 2024–25 alone, 2.62 lakh farmers received ₹169.98 crore in flood compensation, highlighting the scale of ecological risk. Sudden floods can lead to fish escape, pond damage and loss of investment. Conversely, drought conditions in parts of South Bihar reduce water retention capacity, affecting fish growth cycles.

Limited Value Chain and Cold Storage Infrastructure

Fishing in Bihar is still largely focused on primary production. Processing, cold chain facilities and organised fish markets remain limited, especially in rural districts. Absence of adequate post-harvest infrastructure reduces farmer bargaining power and leads to distress sale during peak harvesting seasons.

Seed Quality and Input Constraints

While schemes like the Mukhyamantri Talab Matsyaki Vikas Yojana allocated ₹40.95 crore in 2024–25, including ₹30.35 crore for advance input supply, ensuring consistent quality fish seed and feed across districts remains a challenge. Inadequate technical training also affects scientific aquaculture adoption.

Credit and Institutional Support Gaps

Though Kisan Credit Card coverage and agricultural loan disbursement have increased significantly in recent years, access to dedicated fisheries credit and insurance products is still evolving. Small fish farmers often depend on informal borrowing, which increases risk.

Thus, while fishing in Bihar shows nearly double-digit production growth, structural bottlenecks in productivity, climate resilience and value addition must be addressed to achieve sustainable and inclusive expansion.

8. Way Forward

To transform fishing in Bihar into a high-income and climate-resilient sector, policy focus must now shift from mere production expansion to productivity enhancement, value chain integration and institutional strengthening.

Scientific Aquaculture and Productivity Enhancement

Large numbers of ponds and tanks remain below optimal productivity levels. The state should expand scientific stocking, composite fish culture and feed management practices. Training programmes and extension services must ensure that fish farmers adopt improved breeds and better pond management techniques. This will help convert Bihar’s vast inland water network into a high-yield aquaculture base.

Strengthening Chaur-Based Integrated Models

The development of 510 hectares under the Mukhyamantri Samekit Chaur Vikas Yojana (₹24.67 crore in 2024–25) demonstrates the potential of converting flood-prone land into productive aquaculture zones. Scaling up integrated fish farming in chaurs can simultaneously address flood management and livelihood generation.

Infrastructure and Value Chain Development

The fisheries sector requires expansion of cold chain, ice plants, fish processing units and organised markets. Since fish production grew by nearly 10 percent in 2024–25, market infrastructure must grow at a similar pace to prevent post-harvest losses and ensure better price realisation.

Climate-Resilient Aquaculture

With 30 districts covered under the Climate-Resilient Agriculture Programme (₹238.49 crore allocation), fisheries should be integrated into broader water and climate management strategies. Flood-resistant pond embankments, insurance coverage and early warning systems are essential for reducing risk.

Access to Credit and Institutional Support

Rising agricultural loan disbursement and increasing KCC coverage indicate improving rural credit access. Dedicated fisheries credit lines, cooperative models and SHG-based aquaculture clusters can further strengthen financial inclusion in fishing communities.

Blue Economy Integration

Fishing in Bihar should be linked with food processing, export promotion and nutritional security programmes. Developing organised fish markets and branding freshwater fish varieties can position Bihar as a leading inland aquaculture state in eastern India.

If these measures are implemented systematically, fishing in Bihar can evolve from a traditional livelihood activity into a dynamic growth engine that contributes to rural employment, income diversification and overall economic resilience.

9. Conclusion

Fishing in Bihar has transitioned from a traditional river-based livelihood activity to an increasingly organised inland aquaculture sector. With fish production growing by nearly 9.9 percent in 2024–25, the sector reflects strong momentum within the primary economy. The state’s extensive inland water base—comprising rivers, ponds, tanks, chaurs and reservoirs—provides a natural comparative advantage.

Government interventions such as the development of 510 hectares of chaur land (₹24.67 crore) and expenditure of ₹40.95 crore under pond development schemes indicate a policy shift toward scientific aquaculture and infrastructure expansion. However, climate vulnerability, low productivity of traditional ponds and limited value chain development remain key challenges.

If Bihar strengthens scientific fish farming, expands processing infrastructure and integrates fisheries into climate-resilient strategies, fishing in Bihar can become a major pillar of rural income diversification, nutritional security and sustainable economic growth.

BPSC Mains Practice Questions: Fishing in Bihar

Examine the growth trends and economic importance of fishing in Bihar. How does inland aquaculture contribute to rural livelihood diversification?
Discuss the role of government schemes in promoting scientific aquaculture in Bihar. Analyse their effectiveness in addressing flood-prone ecology.
Identify the major challenges faced by the fisheries sector in Bihar. Suggest policy measures to develop a climate-resilient and market-oriented fishing economy.

Also Read….

Share this article...

Fishing in Bihar

1. Introduction: Status of Fishing in Bihar

2. Inland Water Resource Base of Bihar

3. Fish Production Trends and Growth Analysis