Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying addresses Lok Sabha question 1571 regarding schemes to increase the income of farmers and youth in the fisheries sector. The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) is being implemented with an investment of Rs. 20,050 crore to develop the fisheries sector. The Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme has been extended to fishers and fish farmers, with lending limits enhanced from Rs. 2 lakh to Rs. 5 lakh from 2025-26.
Key Points / Main Content:
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY):
* Aims to bring about Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of the fisheries sector.
* Total investment of Rs. 20,050 crore across all States and Union Territories.
* Supports development of fishing harbors, fish landing centers, cold chains and market infrastructure.
* Promotes training, skill development, and formation of fisheries cooperatives and FFPOs.
* Encourages diversification through seaweed farming, ornamental fisheries, and mariculture.
* Implements development of climate resilient and model coastal fishing villages.
Welfare Activities for Fishers and Fish Farmers:
* Group Accidental Insurance Coverage: Rs. 5.00 lakh for death or permanent total disability, Rs. 2.50 lakh for permanent partial disability, and Rs. 25,000 for accidental hospitalization (age group 18-70 years).
* Livelihood and Nutritional Support: Rs. 3000 per fisher (plus Rs. 1500 beneficiary contribution) for three months during fishing ban/lean period (age group 18-60 years).
* Installation of transponders: 1,00,000 fishing vessels with two-way communication for emergencies (outlay of Rs. 364.00 Crore).
* Fishing vessel insurance support.
* Replacement of net and boat, support for acquisition and upgradation of fishing vessel for deep sea fishing
Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Scheme:
* Extended to fishers and fish farmers since 2018-19 to meet working capital requirements.
* Enhanced KCC lending limit: Increased from Rs. 2 lakh to Rs. 5 lakh from 2025-26 for fisheries allied activities.
* 4,76,237 KCC cards issued to fishers and fish farmers with a disbursed amount of Rs. 3214.32 crore.
Impact Analysis:
Fishers and Fish Farmers:
* Impact: Increased income opportunities through PMMSY, enhanced access to credit via KCC, improved safety and security through insurance and transponders, and support for sustainable resource management.
* Action Required: Avail benefits of PMMSY schemes, apply for KCC to meet working capital needs, and participate in training and skill development programs.
Coastal Communities:
* Impact: Development of climate-resilient and model coastal fishing villages, creation of sustainable livelihood opportunities, and enhanced participation in fisheries value chains.
* Action Required: Engage in sustainable resource management practices and participate in the development initiatives for coastal villages.
Government of India:
* Impact: Achieving the Blue Revolution through sustainable development of the fisheries sector, improving the socio-economic status of fishers and fish farmers, and promoting responsible fishing practices.
* Action Required: Continue implementing and monitoring PMMSY, ensure effective disbursement of KCC loans, and promote awareness of available schemes and benefits.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying: The Indian government ministry responsible for fisheries, animal husbandry, and dairying.
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY): A flagship scheme to bring about Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of fisheries sector and welfare of fishermen.
Blue Revolution: Refers to the significant increase in aquaculture production, aiming to enhance fisheries sector development and the welfare of fishermen.
Kisan Credit Card (KCC): A credit facility extended to fishers and fish farmers to meet their working capital requirements.
Coastal States and Union Territories: All coastal states and union territories of India which will receive the benefits of installation of transponders on fishing vessels.
Fish Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs): Organizations created to empower stakeholders with modern techniques and collective bargaining power in the fisheries sector.
Group Accidental Insurance Coverage: A welfare activity under PMMSY providing insurance coverage against death, disability, and hospitalization for fishers.
Modified Interest Subvention Scheme: A scheme under which Kisan Credit Card (KCC) lending limit for the fisheries allied activities enhanced from 2 lakh to 5 lakh.
O.I.H
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. †1571
TO BE ANSWERED ON 29TH JULY, 2025
Increase in Income of Farmers
†1571. Smt. Lovely Anand:
Shri Ramprit Mandal:
Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the welfare schemes being implemented by the Government in fisheries sector to
increase the income of famers and youth; and
(b) the details of the criteria fixed for providing incentives for fish farming in rural areas?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
(SHRI GEORGE KURIAN)
(a) and (b): The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying is
implementing a flagship scheme ‘Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana” (PMMSY) to bring about Blue
Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of fisheries sector and welfare of fishermen
in the country with an investment of Rs.20,050 crore in all States/ Union Territories. The scheme inter-
alia envisages several welfare related activities for fishers and fish farmers including (i) Group Accidental
Insurance Coverage of Rs.5.00 lakh against death or permanent total disability, Rs. 2.50 lakh against
permanent partial disability and Rs. 25,000 against accidental hospitalization in the age group of 18 to 70
years, (ii) livelihood and nutritional support for socio-economically backward active traditional fishers
families for conservation of fish resources during fishing ban/lean period in the age group of 18 to 60 years
wherein assistance is provided @Rs.3000/- per fishers and beneficiaries’ own contribution of Rs.1500/-
for three months during fishing ban/lean period, (iii) installation of transponders on 1,00,000 fishing vessels
in all Coastal States and Union Territories with a total outlay of Rs. 364.00 Crore with two-way
communication during any emergency while the fishers are at sea, (iv) fishing vessel insurance support,
(v) replacement of net and boat as well support for acquisition and upgradation of fishing vessel for deep
sea fishing.
Further, PMMSY also supports the development of fishing harbours, fish landing centres, cold
chains, and market infrastructure to reduce post-harvest losses and enhance income, training, skill
development, and formation of fisheries cooperatives, Fish Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs) to
empower stakeholders with modern techniques and collective bargaining power. Moreover, PMMSY
promotes diversification through seaweed farming, ornamental fisheries, and mariculture, while
implementing development of climate resilient coastal fishermen village and model coastal fishing villages
for targeted interventions and sustainable resource management to create sustainable livelihood
opportunities for coastal fishers communities and enhance their participation in fisheries value chains.
Besides, Government of India from the year 2018-19 has extended the facility of Kisan Credit Card
to fishers and fish farmers to meet their working capital requirements and from 2025-26, the Government
of India has enhanced the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) lending limit for the fisheries & allied activities from
₹2 lakh to ₹5 lakh to enhance credit accessibility for fishers, farmers, processors and other fisheries’
stakeholder under the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme. Till date, 4,76,237 KCC cards have been
issued to fishers and fish farmers in all States/UTs with a disbursed amount of Rs. 3214.32 crore.
****