The fisheries sector is one of the fastest-growing agri-allied sectors in the country and plays a significant role in economic growth, food and nutritional securities, employment generation, livelihood support and export earnings. Under entry 21 of List-II of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India – “Fisheries” is within the purview of the State Governments. Whereas under entry 57 of List-I of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India – “Fishing and fisheries beyond territorial waters” is within the mandate of the Union of India. The fisheries sector, during 2023-24 has contributed about 7.43% to the Agricultural Gross Value Added (GVA) and about 1.09% to the country's total GVA.

The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has taken up several steps for holistic development of fisheries and aquaculture sector including welfare of fishers and fish farmers in the country. The steps taken up include implementation of fisheries and aquaculture development schemes such as (i) Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), (ii) Fisheries & Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), (iii) Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY). In addition, the Government of India with effect from the financial year 2018-19 has extended the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) facility to fishers and fish famers to help them to meet their working capital requirements.

The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY) implemented by the DoF, GoI inter-alia provides for one-time incentive for purchase of aquaculture insurance by farmers. The one-time incentive for aquaculture insurance is provided at the rate of 40% of the premium paid with a ceiling up to ₹25,000 per hectare, or ₹1 lakh per farmer for 4 hectares Water Spread Area (WSA). For the aquaculture system including intensive systems like farms, cage culture, Recirculatory Aquaculture System (RAS), bio-floc and raceways, aquaculture insurance is provided at the rate of 40% of the premium paid with a ceiling up to ₹1 lakh per farmer for 1800 m3 intensive aquaculture systems. Further, the SC/ST and women beneficiaries get an additional 10% of the incentive given to the General Category Farmers.

This Information was given by Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh in the Rajya Sabha in response to a question asked.

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