**Executive Summary:**
The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying addresses the progress of the Organic Fisheries Cluster in Sikkim, plans for similar clusters in other states, and the inclusion of fishers in the PMKISAN scheme. The Department of Fisheries has notified an Organic Fisheries Cluster in Sikkim and 34 fisheries production and processing clusters in other States/UTs. There is no current proposal to extend PMKISAN to fishers, but those with cultivable land are eligible.
**Key Points / Main Content:**
* **Organic Fisheries Cluster in Sikkim:**
* An Organic Fisheries Cluster was notified in Soreng District, Sikkim, under PMMSY.
* Stakeholder consultations and gap analysis were conducted.
* A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) was prepared, and infrastructure interventions initiated, including fish tank construction through MGNREGA convergence.
* A three-year Strategic Action Plan includes capacity building, input support, certification, infrastructure creation, and market linkage.
* **Fisheries Production and Processing Clusters:**
* 34 fisheries production and processing clusters have been notified in different States/UTs.
* These clusters focus on ornamental fisheries, seaweed cultivation, pearl farming, Saline Water Aquaculture, Reservoir Fisheries, Wetland Fisheries, Cold water Fisheries, Dry Fish Cluster, Integrated fish farming, and tuna fishing.
* **PMKISAN Scheme:**
* There is no proposal under consideration to extend PMKISAN to fishers.
* Fishers and fish farmers with cultivable land are eligible for PMKISAN benefits.
**Impact Analysis:**
* **Fish Farmers in Soreng District, Sikkim:**
* *Impact:* Benefit from infrastructure development, capacity building, and market linkages through the Organic Fisheries Cluster under PMMSY.
* *Action Required:* Participate in capacity-building programs, adopt organic aquaculture practices, and engage with market linkage initiatives.
* **Fishers and Fish Farmers with Cultivable Land:**
* *Impact:* Remain eligible for PMKISAN benefits if they meet the existing criteria related to land ownership.
* *Action Required:* Apply for PMKISAN if they own cultivable land and meet other eligibility criteria.
* **Department of Fisheries, Government of India:**
* *Impact:* Responsible for implementing and monitoring the Organic Fisheries Cluster in Sikkim and the 34 fisheries production and processing clusters in other States/UTs.
* *Action Required:* Continue implementing the Strategic Action Plan for the Organic Fisheries Cluster in Sikkim and overseeing the development of the other 34 notified clusters.
* **Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare:**
* *Impact:* Continues to administer the PMKISAN scheme, with fishers eligible if they meet the land ownership criteria.
* *Action Required:* No new action required, continue administering PMKISAN according to existing guidelines.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying: The Indian government ministry responsible for fisheries, animal husbandry, and dairying.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
Sikkim: A state in India where the organic fisheries cluster was launched.
PMKISAN: Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) is an initiative by the government of India to provide income support to small and marginal farmers.
SHRI GEORGE KURIAN: Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
Soreng District, Sikkim: A district in Sikkim where Organic Fisheries Clusters have been notified.
PMMSY: Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampadha Yojana, a scheme for development of the fisheries sector.
MGNREGA: Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, an Indian labour law and social security measure.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3732
TO BE ANSWERED ON 12TH AUGUST, 2025
Organic Fisheries Cluster
3732. Dr. Mallu Ravi:
Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING be pleased to
state:
(a) the progress of the organic fisheries cluster launched in Sikkim;
(b) whether similar clusters are being planned by the Government to launch in other States of
the country; and
(c) the status of the PM-KISAN scheme extension to include fishers in it and its impacts till date?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING:
(SHRI GEORGE KURIAN)
(a) and (b) : The Department of Fisheries, Government of India has notified Organic Fisheries
Clusters in Soreng District of Sikkim for development of organic fisheries and aquaculture under
PMMSY with focus on development of ecologically healthy fish farming systems. Series of
consultative meetings and stakeholder consultations involving experts, officials, and farmers were
conducted to align the objectives of organic fisheries cluster. A detailed gap analysis study was
carried out to identify bottlenecks and areas requiring intervention for effective promotion of
organic aquaculture practices. A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the Organic Fisheries
Cluster has been prepared and infrastructure-based interventions have been initiated in the
district. Construction of fish tanks through convergence with MGNREGA has already been
initiated. To ensure the systematic development and sustainability of the Organic Fisheries
Cluster, a comprehensive three-year Strategic Action Plan has been prepared. The plan includes,
interventions in the areas of capacity building, input support, certification, infrastructure creation,
and market linkage to establish a replicable and self-sustaining organic aquaculture model in the
State.
The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampadha Yojana (PMMSY) inter-alia provides adoption of a cluster-
based approach to enhance the competitiveness of the fisheries sector, facilitate economies of
scale, generate higher incomes, accelerate the growth, expansion of fisheries and aquaculture in
an organized manner in cluster based approach. To continue the efforts for sustainable
development of fisheries, Department of Fisheries, Government of India notified 34 fisheries
production and processing clusters in different States/UTs to boost fish production and improve
livelihoods. These clusters focus on specific areas like ornamental fisheries, seaweed cultivation,
pearl farming, Saline Water Aquaculture, Reservoir Fisheries, Wetland Fisheries, Cold water
Fisheries, Dry Fish Cluster, Integrated fish farming, and tuna fishing.
(c): The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers
Welfare informed that no proposal is under consideration for extension of PM-KISAN scheme to
fishers. Further, it is also informed that fishers and fish farmers having cultivable land are eligible
as per the guidelines and can get benefits of PM-KISAN scheme.
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