Patna: In a bid to modernise its fisheries sector, Bihar has conducted a live trial of drone-based fish delivery, aiming to transport fresh fish directly to homes and hotels. The pilot, held at Patna’s Gyan Bhawan, showcased how drones could be used to revolutionise the state’s fish distribution network. The initiative, however, still awaits approval from the central government before it can be rolled out at scale.
The scheme, developed by the state’s Animal and Fisheries Resources Department, was demonstrated on 19 October last year using three different delivery models. Officials have confirmed that a formal proposal has been sent to the Centre, and approval would pave the way for Bihar to follow in the footsteps of coastal states where similar programmes are already underway. Beyond delivery, the project also envisions drones being used for a variety of fisheries-related operations — including dropping life jackets to fishermen in emergencies, delivering fish feed, and even diagnosing aquatic diseases via aerial surveillance.
Bihar has seen significant growth in fish production, which has nearly doubled over the past decade. From 4.8 lakh tonnes in 2014–15, the figure rose to 8.73 lakh tonnes in 2023–24. According to the department, 11.26 kg of fish is now available annually for roughly 60% of the state’s population — a key nutritional source in the region. The drone project forms part of a broader push to integrate technology into agriculture and allied sectors, reflecting both innovation and necessity in a state where traditional supply chains often struggle with logistics and infrastructure gaps.
