On May 23, 2025, Dr. Ram Mohan M K was appointed as the new Director of the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), a pivotal institution under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry tasked with promoting India’s marine products exports. This appointment marks a significant milestone for the marine sector, given Dr. Mohan’s extensive experience and academic credentials. For competitive exam aspirants, this development is crucial for understanding key appointments, the role of MPEDA, and India’s growing seafood export industry.
Dr. Ram Mohan M K brings a wealth of expertise to his new role as MPEDA Director. An alumnus of the Post Graduate Programme in Mariculture from the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), affiliated with the Cochin University of Science and Technology, he holds a PhD from the ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE), Mumbai. His academic background in mariculture and fisheries positions him uniquely to lead MPEDA’s efforts in advancing sustainable seafood exports.
Since joining MPEDA in 2003, Dr. Mohan has held critical roles in marketing, quality assurance, infrastructure development, and international trade. Notably, he served as the Resident Director in Tokyo, strengthening India’s marine export presence in one of the world’s largest seafood markets. He is also a member of the Director Boards of MIDCON, Seafood Park India Ltd., and Lakshadweep Development Corporation Ltd., showcasing his multifaceted contributions to the marine industry.
Established in 1972 under the Marine Products Export Development Authority Act, MPEDA is headquartered in Kochi, Kerala, and operates under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The authority plays a critical role in promoting India’s marine products exports, including shrimp, prawn, lobster, crab, fish, and other aquatic products. MPEDA’s key functions include:
- Export Promotion: Facilitating market access to over 130 countries, with exports reaching $7.76 billion in FY 2021-22.
- Quality Standards: Ensuring compliance with international standards through initiatives like NETFISH (established 2006) for sustainable fishing.
- Infrastructure Development: Supporting modern fishing vessels, storage, and processing facilities.
- Research and Training: Through its research wing, NaCSA (established 2007), focusing on shrimp farming and sustainability.
MPEDA’s Vision Document 2030, released in 2025, aims to achieve an export turnover of $18 billion by 2030, with a focus on enhancing the competitiveness of Indian seafood, particularly frozen shrimp, which constitutes 66.12% of export value. Dr. Mohan’s appointment is expected to drive this ambitious target, leveraging his expertise in global markets.
Dr. Mohan’s appointment on May 23, 2025, comes at a time when India’s seafood exports are experiencing robust growth. In FY 2024-25, India exported 16.85 lakh metric tonnes of marine products, valued at $7.2 billion, a 60% increase from FY 2015. With major markets like the United States, China, and the UAE (ranked 9th in 2024), MPEDA aims to further expand India’s global footprint. Dr. Mohan’s experience in Tokyo and his strategic roles in MPEDA make him well-suited to address challenges like anti-microbial resistance (AMR) in shrimp farming and global trade uncertainties.
His leadership is expected to strengthen initiatives like AMR Week 2024 (observed from November 18-24, 2024) and support policies from the Union Budget 2024-25, which reduced customs duties on aquafarm inputs to 5%, enhancing cost competitiveness.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Appointee | Dr. Ram Mohan M K |
| Position | Director, Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) |
| Appointment Date | May 23, 2025 |
| Qualifications | Post Graduate in Mariculture (CMFRI, CUSAT); PhD (ICAR-CIFE, Mumbai) |
| Experience | Joined MPEDA in 2003; roles in marketing, quality assurance, infrastructure, and Resident Director in Tokyo |
| Other Roles | Member of Director Boards of MIDCON, Seafood Park India Ltd., Lakshadweep Development Corporation Ltd. |
| MPEDA’s Goal | $18 billion export turnover by 2030 |
On May 23, 2025, Dr. Ram Mohan M K was appointed Director of MPEDA, bringing his expertise in mariculture and over two decades of experience in marketing, quality assurance, and international trade. MPEDA, established in 1972, aims to boost India’s marine exports to $18 billion by 2030, with frozen shrimp as the leading product. Dr. Mohan’s leadership is expected to enhance India’s global seafood market presence, addressing challenges like AMR and trade barriers. This topic is vital for exams, covering appointments, export policies, and sustainable development.
- Appointment: Dr. Ram Mohan M K appointed MPEDA Director on May 23, 2025.
- Qualifications: Post Graduate in Mariculture (CMFRI, CUSAT); PhD (ICAR-CIFE, Mumbai).
- Experience: Joined MPEDA in 2003; served as Resident Director in Tokyo.
- MPEDA’s Role: Promotes marine exports, targeting $18 billion by 2030.
- Export Growth: 16.85 lakh metric tonnes valued at $7.2 billion in FY 2024-25.
- Initiatives: Supports NETFISH, NaCSA, and AMR Week 2024 (November 18-24, 2024).
- Policy Support: Union Budget 2024-25 reduced duties on aquafarm inputs to 5%.