India’s blue revolution at a crossroads: Lessons from the green revolution for a sustainable future

Title : India’s blue revolution at a crossroads: Lessons from the green revolution for a sustainable future

Abstract:

The Blue Revolution is reshaping India's fisheries and aquaculture sector, making the country the second-largest aquaculture producer globally, contributing over 8.0% to global fish production, and providing livelihoods for millions. Government-backed initiatives such as the Neel Kranti Mission, Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), and the National Fisheries Policy have driven significant growth, strengthening economic output, employment, and exports. However, as aquaculture expansion accelerates, concerns about environmental sustainability, resource depletion, and socio-economic disparities are emerging. The challenge now is not just increasing production but ensuring long-term ecological and economic resilience.

A pertinent comparison emerges with the Green Revolution, which transformed India’s agriculture in the 1960-70, ensuring food security and self-sufficiency. However, its long-term impact revealed unintended consequences such as soil degradation, groundwater depletion, loss of biodiversity, and socio-economic disparities. These lessons highlight the importance of sustainability foresight in rapid industrial and agricultural transitions. As the Blue Revolution continues to evolve, it is imperative to recognize this moment as an opportunity to proactively course-correct and integrate sustainability strategies before long-term consequences take hold. This presentation takes a sustainability-oriented perspective to critically examine the current trajectory of India’s Blue Revolution. Through secondary data analysis, stakeholder perceptions, and comparative lessons from the post-Green Revolution period.

Biography:

Mukesh Bhendarkar began his fisheries journey with a Bachelor's degree from the Maharashtra Animal and Fisheries Science University, followed by a Master's degree in Fisheries Resource Management from Dr. BSKKV, India. He then embarked on a professional journey, starting as a Lecturer for Freshwater Fisheries at VNJC, Maharashtra  and later worked as a Fisheries Project Consultant for the Adani Foundation in Gujarat. Transitioning into governmental roles, he assumed the position of Assistant Fisheries Development Officer for the Government of Maharashtra, where his responsibilities encompassed diverse areas from fish breeding initiatives to socio-economic activities involving fishermen. Subsequently, he transitioned into the research domain, assuming the role of Scientist at ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture in Odisha. Presently, he is serving at ICAR-National Institute of Abiotic Stress Management in Maharashtra, with a specific focus on addressing challenges associated with abiotic stressors in fisheries and aquaculture. Concurrently, he is pursuing his PhD at AZTI, Spain, concentrating on innovative environmental DNA (eDNA) applications in fisheries ecology.