Gondia's ₹15-Crore Fish Processing Plant to Boost Vidarbha's Fisheries Sector
A major development is underway in Vidarbha's fisheries industry with the establishment of a ₹15-crore frozen freshwater fish processing centre in Gondia district. This ambitious project represents a significant leap toward value addition and industrial growth in the region, aiming to transform the local fisheries landscape.
Project Details and Strategic Vision
The facility, which was prominently featured at the Advantage Vidarbha exhibition, is designed to reduce dependence on imports and foster an integrated ecosystem around fish processing and allied industries. According to Pratap Goswami of the Vidarbha Fisheries Association, the plant will be developed on 1.45 acres and will be a pioneering initiative in India, specializing in pangasius fillet processing.
With an annual processing capacity of 12,000 tonnes, the centre will produce 1,200 tonnes of ready-to-cook products such as fish fry and tikka, along with 2,400 tonnes of raw frozen fish. Goswami highlighted that only about 40% of a fish is directly edible, while the remaining 60% will be utilized to manufacture high-protein fish meal and fuel. Even fish scales will be sent to gelatin factories, ensuring multiple revenue streams and achieving minimal waste. This innovative approach is expected to deliver 35-40% higher value addition compared to conventional raw fish sales.
Addressing Challenges and Market Opportunities
Goswami pointed out that the lack of cold storage remains a major hurdle for the fisheries sector at present. However, production at the Gondia unit is anticipated to commence within a year. The facility is also seen as a strategic move to curb imports from Vietnam, which currently supply processed fish to hotels and large buyers. "The same market can be served by locally processed fish, benefiting farmers and entrepreneurs in the region," Goswami emphasized.
Assistant Commissioner of Fisheries Shubham Komewar underscored the need to reposition fish in the consumer mindset. "Milk became paneer, but fish remained fish. It has never been branded properly as a protein source," he said, describing fish as a "highly nutritious capsule of protein." He noted that while raw fish sells for around ₹200 per kg, processed fish products can fetch up to ₹1,000 per kg, highlighting the substantial economic potential of processing.
Future Prospects and Sectoral Growth
Komewar expressed optimism about the future, stating that while the fisheries sector lacks a major success story so far, processing-oriented entrepreneurs are poised to change the landscape. "From fish eggs to the bite on your plate, multiple industries are involved—fuel, equipment, logistics, and processing," he noted, adding that 281 government fisheries schemes are currently underway.
He also stressed the importance of improving accessibility and consumption. "People don't eat fish because it isn't easily available," he said, suggesting cooperative models, door-to-door supply, and branding campaigns similar to popular nutrition slogans. This holistic approach aims to boost both production and demand, creating a sustainable and profitable fisheries ecosystem in Vidarbha.
