New Delhi. The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has launched various schemes/programmes for development of fisheries including pisciculture. Details of the Central Schemes/Programmes implemented are as below:
The Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) on Blue Revolution: Integrated Development and Management of Fisheries implemented from 2015-16 to 2019-20 for development of fisheries in the country. The CSS Blue Revolution inter-alia, extended financial assistance for pisciculture activities such as construction of grow-out ponds for freshwater, brackish and saline water aquaculture, seed rearing facilities, establishment of fish brood banks, hatcheries, installation of cages in reservoirs, raceways for fish culture, development of waterlogged areas, Recirculatory Aquaculture System (RAS), as well as training and skill development of fish farmers.
A dedicated fund namely, ‘Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund’ (FIDF) with a total fund size of Rs.7,522.48 crore has been implemented with effect from the financial year 2018-19 for providing concessional finance for creation and strengthening of fisheries infrastructure facilities including in the field of pisciculture like development of hatcheries and aquaculture, setting up of brood banks and establishing of cage culture in reservoirs.
Extension of Kisan Credit Card (KCC) facility to fishers and fish farmers, in the year 2018-19 to help them to meet their working capital needs for pisciculture.
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) with highest ever estimated investment of ₹20050 crore in fisheries sector implemented for a period of 5 years with effect from the financial year 2020-21. PMMSY inter-alia aims at enhancing fish production and productivity by expansion, intensification, diversification, technological infusion and productive utilization of land and water in both inland and marine sectors through fisheries and pisciculture activities such as setting up of ponds for freshwater, saline and brackish water aquaculture, input support, facilities like brood banks, hatcheries, rearing facilities, quality seed units and high density aquaculture activities like Re-circulatory Aquaculture System (RAS), Bio-floc and cage culture along with imparting training for skill development and capacity building among fishers and fish farmers.
In addition, the Department of Fisheries, Government of India has also approved a Sub-scheme named Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY) for its implementation for a period of four years from FY 2023-24 to FY 2026-27. The scheme inter-alia aims incentivizing fisheries and aquaculture microenterprises through performance grants for improving fisheries sector value-chain efficiencies.
The various fisheries development schemes of the Department of Fisheries, Government of India are implemented through State Governments/Union Territories (UTs). Beneficiaries under these schemes are identified by the concerned State Governments/UTs. It is estimated that 47,16,216 fishers, fish farmers and other stakeholders are supported so far for taking up various fisheries activities including pisciculture activity under the PMMSY implemented by the Department of Fisheries, Government of India. Besides, a total of 4,50,799 KCCs have been issued to fishers and fish farmers with a credit amount of Rs. 2898 crore. The Government of Chhattisgarh has informed that currently one fisheries training centre is operational in Chhattisgarh.
The Department of Fisheries, Government of India under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) during the last four years (FY2020-21 to 2023-24) and current financial year (2024-25) has approved a total of 56,643 Cage units to various State Governments and Union Territories for fish culture. Under this scheme, the Governmental Financial assistance of 40% of the project/unit cost for General Category Beneficiaries and 60% of the project/unit cost for SC/ST/Women Beneficiaries is provided. The governmental financial assistance is shared in 60:40 ratio between the Central and State Governments and in case of Union Territories, the Department of Fisheries, Government of India provides 100% governmental assistance.
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