Kings Infra Ventures Limited has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Andhra Pradesh to develop the Rs 25 billion, 500-acre Kings Maritime Aquaculture Technology Park near Srikakulam, close to Visakhapatnam. The project aims to position Andhra Pradesh as a global centre for smart, technology-driven, and sustainable aquaculture. Under the agreement, the District Collector of Srikakulam has been tasked with identifying suitable land parcels and fast-tracking all statutory approvals, enabling Phase I operations to commence immediately once land is finalised. The Technology Park will be developed through Rs 5 billion in direct investment by Kings Infra, participating investors, and institutions for core infrastructure, processing, and research facilities. A further Rs 20 billion is expected to come indirectly through ancillary industries, tank-based systems, MSME participation, and renewable-energy clusters. Designed as a first-of-its-kind innovation hub, the park will feature hatcheries, indoor farming systems, multi-species culture units, processing lines, a marine bio-actives division, and an AI-powered digital operations centre. Speaking on the initiative, Shri Kondapalli Srinivas, Minister for MSME, said Andhra Pradesh—already India’s largest aquaculture-producing state—will benefit significantly from this first-in-the-country model. He emphasised that the Government will extend full support through seamless single-window clearance and noted that the project aligns strongly with Vision 2030, which aims to encourage one entrepreneur in every household. He added that the forthcoming R&D and training programmes will accelerate coastal development, entrepreneurship growth, and Andhra Pradesh’s global positioning in responsible aquaculture. A major highlight of the development is the Aquaculture Skill and Innovation Centre, which will train and certify 5,000 aqua professionals over five years. Trainees will receive hands-on experience with indoor RAS systems, IoT-enabled tanks, automated feeders, biosecurity protocols, and AI-driven farm management. The Centre will also provide incubation, mentorship, and market access for MSMEs, strengthening entrepreneurship across the state’s coastal belt. Partnerships with CMFRI, CIFE, FSI, RGCA, universities, and global institutions are being explored to expand research and capacity-building. The entire ecosystem will operate on BlueTechOS, Kings Infra’s proprietary AI operating system to be developed and managed from Visakhapatnam. The platform will offer real-time water-quality analytics, predictive disease alerts, automated feeding, machine-learning dashboards, and end-to-end digital farm management—making this India’s first fully AI-driven aquaculture park. Mr Shaji Baby John, Chairman and Managing Director of Kings Infra Ventures Ltd, said the project is envisioned as a global model for smart and sustainable aquaculture. He invited global technology leaders, researchers, and investors to collaborate in building what he described as the world’s most advanced aquaculture platform—engineered in India for international markets. He emphasised that with strong Government support, the project will unlock new frontiers for the Blue Economy, generate large-scale employment, and set global benchmarks for responsible food production. The Park will support multi-species farming, including shrimp (L. vannamei and black tiger), seabass, grouper, tilapia, mud crab, and selected marine and freshwater species, enabling year-round production and diversified export opportunities. A dedicated Marine Nutraceutical and Bio-actives Unit will convert biomass into high-value ingredients such as astaxanthin, Omega-3 oils, marine collagen, and seaweed-based extracts, supporting a circular-economy model. Mr Sreeram Inagalla, COO – International Business at Kings Infra Ventures Ltd, said the project is ideally suited to Srikakulam due to its strong coastal potential, skilled communities, and access to global logistics corridors. He noted that Government readiness to expedite land allocation and approvals offers a strong foundation for India’s next-generation aquaculture hub. He added that the integrated ecosystem—spanning R&D, multi-species farming, digital management, processing, training, and bioeconomy verticals—will transform Andhra Pradesh’s aquaculture landscape while generating significant employment, entrepreneurship, and export growth for the region