Fisheries Development Initiatives and Funding Allocation
The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has implemented multiple schemes for holistic fisheries and aquaculture development, including the Centrally Sponsored Scheme on Blue Revolution (2015-16 to 2019-20), Fisheries & Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) from 2018-19, Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), and Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah Yojana (PMMKSSY). The Kisan Credit Card (KCC) facility has been extended to fishers and fish farmers since 2018-19 to meet working capital requirements.
During the last three financial years (2023-24 to 2025-26), the department approved fisheries and aquaculture development proposals from various State Governments and Union Territories totaling ₹6,885.18 crore, with a central share of ₹3,159.83 crore under PMMSY. The central government released ₹2,208.74 crore to states and UTs for implementing these approved projects.
State-wise Fund Allocation
The annexure provides detailed state-wise allocations: Kerala received the highest central share approval at ₹29,144.17 lakh, followed by Maharashtra (₹18,292.10 lakh), Haryana (₹17,252.84 lakh), and Puducherry (₹15,516.10 lakh). Maharashtra received the highest actual fund release at ₹21,258.67 lakh (including previous years' share), followed by Tamil Nadu (₹17,419.87 lakh), Kerala (₹19,294.91 lakh), and Madhya Pradesh (₹13,853.99 lakh). Some regions like Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu received approvals of ₹12,886.00 lakh but zero funds released.
Risk Management and Insurance Coverage
To address challenges of rising input costs, disease outbreaks, and international market fluctuations, the government promotes biosecurity, disease surveillance, diagnostics, and best management practices through the National Surveillance Programme for Aquatic Animal Diseases (NSPAAD) under PMMSY. Financial assistance is provided for establishing aquatic animal health infrastructure, diagnostic laboratories, and hatcheries.
Under PMMSY, social security is provided through group accidental insurance coverage for marine and inland fishers with premium sharing between Centre and States (60:40 for general states, 90:10 for Himalayan & North Eastern States, and 100% by Centre for UTs). The insurance coverage includes ₹5,00,000 for death/permanent total disability, ₹2,50,000 for permanent partial disability, and ₹25,000 hospitalization expenses. During 2023-26, ₹54.03 crore was released for insurance coverage of 103.73 lakh fishers, averaging 34.57 lakh fishers annually.
Aquaculture Insurance Incentives
Under PM-MKSSY, a one-time incentive is provided for aquaculture insurance purchase: 40% of premium paid with ceiling up to ₹25,000 per hectare or ₹1 lakh per farmer for 4 hectares Water Spread Area (WSA). For intensive systems (farms, cage culture, RAS, bio-floc, raceways), the incentive is 40% of premium with ceiling up to ₹1 lakh per farmer for 1800 m³. SC/ST and women beneficiaries receive an additional 10% incentive. Insurance products include Basic Insurance covering yield losses from non-preventable perils (summer kill, pollution, earthquakes, cyclones, floods, natural calamities, riots, malicious acts including poisoning, structural damage) and Comprehensive Insurance covering additional disease-related perils.