Indian Aquaculture has seen a greater growth and many states have become prominent in providing profitable livelihoods. The recent initiative under the development scheme "blue revolution" envisaged by Government of India (GoI) was expected to be a game changer with positive results. By 2015, GoI called for a mass call in the sector with an idea to double the farmer's income (DFI) through many initiatives by strengthening infrastructure and accelerating development activities. But much water has not flown with the targeted year of 2018.
It is observed that there has been an expansion in fish seed production (fry) through the "blue revolution" initiative though the country is self-sufficient with its demand. Fish seed production in the country is through a network of about 4500 hatcheries (Indian Major Carps, Exotic species, Scampi, Air breathing fish and Tilapia,) and seed growers. Plagued with constant price of Indian Major Carps ( IMC) seeds, in the recent past there is a shift to produce exotic fish species seed which fetches better price. Bringing the fact there are three exotic species which are predominant in the market of which one is banned, the other one is permitted and left is yet to get a clearance from the authority. In this scenario the one which has not been looked upon is on quality seed though the country is self sufficient in seed production. For promoting quality seed production NFDB has initiated to promote an improved rohu variety "Jayanti rohu" which has 18% genetic gain. Day by day the awareness and farmers requirement for quality seed is increasing and a development direction in these lines is a must.
In the case of brackishwater aquaculture the sector is still dominated by crustaceans and till the year 2007 P.monodon was ruling and at present the exotic cultivable shrimp species ( (Littopenaeus vannameii) is heading the sector with much preference. Earnest efforts were taken to popularise some of the high valued species in this sector like Seabass, Milk fish, Cobia, Pearl spot, Mullets and others, but in vain. Though attempts were taken only few recognised hatcheries and government institutes still produce seeds of these high valued species but the existing 246 shrimp hatcheries across the country never encashed to produce fish seed, why?. In the case of marine fish seed hatchery though technology was in public domain for use there were not many takers rather the government R&D institutes in seed production.
This paper is all about the pathway for developing the aquaculture seed production system focussing on how this can happen to double the farm/farmer's income. The chosen path for development of aquaculture has to be in line with the changing requirements of the market and demand especially with the exotic species. Slight deviations towards quality seed production can enhance the profitability of grow out fish farmers. Survival rate of fish seed is directly dependent on quality, which is not a concern with hatchery owners. Prevailing resources can be used for quality seed production is the direction in which the sector should move. The paper also provides information to direct the sector towards efficient hatchery system (Hatchery 2.0). A generation shift has to be seen in hatchery system, for improving existing freshwater fish seed production and exclusive hatchery for producing seeds of exotic fish species. A Public Private Partnership for multi species fish seed production, convergence of R&D institutions like ICAR, SAU and ministerial institutes (Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Aquaculture) to produce quality seeds and other unique initiatives have to be thought of. The paper ends by concluding that the sector need to be viewed in a system perspective having broader lens with an inclusive growth.