Sikkim’s Soreng becomes India’s first notified organic fisheries cluster

Soreng district in Sikkim is India's first notified Organic Fisheries Cluster under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), the Fisheries Ministry said, as Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh visited the state on 2 November.

During the visit to Mangan district, Singh launched a standard operating procedure (SOP) for organic certification of fisheries in the Northeast and inaugurated PMMSY projects worth ₹375 lakh. These include hatcheries, feed mills, cold storage, and biofloc and recirculatory aquaculture systems.

The cluster

The cluster focuses on fish farming "without the use of harmful chemicals, antibiotics and pesticides", with emphasis on Amur carp, Indian Major Carps and trout. Under PMMSY, 34 fisheries clusters have been notified nationwide, including organic clusters in Sikkim and Meghalaya.

The new SOP is meant to give organic production a structured framework and support traceability, helping organic fish reach premium domestic and export markets.

On the ground

Singh visited a Live Fish Vending Centre, met members of fish farmers' cooperatives and saw stalls of fish, ornamental fish and organic produce. Fish feed went to 15 farmers from two cooperatives, Kisan Credit Cards were handed out, and five farmers received cheques under the Mukhya Mantri Matsya Uthpadhan Yojana.

Sikkim has also signed an MoU with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police to buy locally produced rainbow trout, giving trout farmers a steady market.

The visit followed a mechanism under which Union Ministers visit the Northeast periodically.

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Source: official release by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, issued through the Press Information Bureau, Government of India (02 NOV 2026 3:37PM by PIB Delhi). Read the full official text: Soreng, Sikkim: India’s first notified Organic Fisheries Cluster under PMMSY; Union minister launched standard operating procedure for Organic Certification of Fisheries in the Northeastern region.