Overview On October 28, 2025 , Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi , Union Secretary of the Department of Fisheries (DoF) under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying , visited the Fisheries Cooperative Cluster in Raigad district, Maharashtra . The purpose was to review its progress and engage with cooperative stakeholders. This cluster is being developed as a model for integrated fisheries value-chain development, aiming to strengthen fisheries-based livelihoods through a cooperative-led approach. Key Developments Stakeholder Engagement During the visit, Dr. Likhi interacted with 251 members representing 156 Primary Fisheries Cooperative Societies and 9 Fish Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs) from Raigad, Maharashtra . This engagement aimed to assess ground-level challenges and identify opportunities for improvement. Government Commitment Dr. Likhi emphasized the government’s commitment to cooperative-led development, highlighting the need to align fisheries cluster activities with flagship national initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and the Fisheries Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) . A Joint Task Force between the Department of Fisheries and the Ministry of Cooperation is actively working to strengthen fisheries cooperatives across the country. Strategic Directions Awareness and Training: The National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) has been directed to conduct awareness, training, and grievance redressal camps across all taluks of the district. Integrated Development: Emphasis on the cluster-based approach to achieve integrated development across the fisheries value chain. Innovation: Encouraging stakeholders to adopt innovative strategies for boosting exports, enhancing infrastructure, improving financial access, and strengthening market linkages. Convergence and Technology Shri Sagar Mehra , Joint Secretary (Inland Fisheries), emphasized the need for convergence across ministries and schemes to ensure holistic and sustainable fisheries development. He advocated for a technology-driven, convergence-based project approach for long-term viability. Standard Operating Procedures Ms. Neetu Kumari , Joint Secretary (Marine Fisheries), highlighted the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) for harbor management, focusing on empowering fisheries cooperatives to efficiently manage harbors and landing centers. These initiatives are being implemented in close coordination with the Ministry of Cooperation , NCDC , and other partner institutions. NFDB's Role Dr. B.K. Behera , Chief Executive, National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) , presented an overview of Raigad’s fisheries landscape and outlined key interventions planned over the next five years. These include projects under PMMSY for infrastructure strengthening, cold chain and processing development, market linkages, and welfare initiatives aligned with Maharashtra’s fisheries growth targets. Stakeholder Feedback The interaction with fisheries cooperative societies saw active participation from stakeholders representing marine, freshwater, and brackish water segments. They shared success stories and highlighted key challenges, including the need for fishing jetties, ice plants, cold storage, and dredging facilities in Raigad . Participants emphasized the importance of women-centric interventions such as health camps and sanitation facilities, and suggested exposure visits to states like Andhra Pradesh to learn from best practices and improve credit linkages for fishers. Rationale for Developing Fisheries Clusters The Fisheries Cooperative Cluster in Raigad , like the other 34 Clusters notified under PMMSY , is designed to strengthen collective fisheries-based enterprises by integrating aquaculture, mariculture, and deep-sea fishing activities. The overarching aim is to promote a more competitive, organized, and sustainable fisheries and aquaculture sector by fostering integrated development across the entire value chain. UPSC Relevance This news highlights the government's focus on developing the fisheries sector through cooperative models, aligning with GS3: Economy and GS2: Government Policies . The emphasis on PMMSY , infrastructure development, and stakeholder engagement are crucial for Mains questions on economic development and government initiatives. Important Facts The Raigad Fisheries Cooperative Cluster is a model for integrated fisheries value-chain development. The Department of Fisheries and the Ministry of Cooperation are collaborating to strengthen fisheries cooperatives. NFDB is playing a key role in awareness, training, and grievance redressal. Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) are being developed for harbor management. Raigad Fisheries Cooperative Cluster is one of the 34 clusters notified under PMMSY.