WELFARE SCHEMES FOR FISHERMEN
Issued by Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying
Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying on 11th August 2026. Classified under Press Release.
Executive Summary & Key Takeaways
Executive Summary The Department of Fisheries, Government of India, is implementing several welfare schemes including PMMSY, FIDF, and PM-MKSSY to enhance the livelihoods and social security of fishermen, with significant investments directed toward Kerala through 2026-27. To date, substantial central funds have been released for equipment, infrastructure, and livelihood support during fishing ban periods. Key action items include the formalization of the sector via the National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP) and the continued expansion of Kisan Credit Card (KCC) facilities.
Key Points / Main Content
Primary Welfare Schemes and Timelines
- Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY): Active from 2020-21 to 2026-27 for holistic fisheries development.
- Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF): Operational from 2018-19 to 2025-26.
- Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY): Focused on formalization from 2023-24 to 2026-27.
- Kisan Credit Card (KCC): Extension of credit facilities to the fisheries sector since 2018-19.
Financial and Digital Progress in Kerala
- Funding Approvals: Rs. 1,413.91 crore approved for Kerala under PMMSY, with Rs. 462.22 crore in central assistance already released.
- Infrastructure Investment: 13 projects approved under FIDF totaling Rs. 551.72 crore, including an Integrated Fisheries Development Project for MATSYAFED (Rs. 35.97 crore).
- Digital Formalization: 2,52,301 stakeholders from Kerala (including 5,032 from Vadakara) have registered on the National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP).
- Credit Access: 18,908 KCC cards have been sanctioned to fisheries beneficiaries in the state.
Specific Interventions and Local Implementation
- Livelihood Support: Provision of support during fishing ban periods (1,71,033 instances) and procurement of boats, nets, and deep-sea vessels.
- Technical Diversification: Implementation of Biofloc farming, Re-Circulatory Aquaculture Systems (RAS), and bivalve cultivation.
- Infrastructure and Advisory: Establishment of Integrated Modern Coastal Fishing Villages, Climate Resilient Coastal Fishing Villages, Matsya Seva Kendras, and the engagement of 222 Sagar Mitras.
- Vadakara Focus: 7,561 beneficiaries identified and three primary societies selected as Fish Farmers Producer Organisations (FFPOs).
Impact Analysis
Fishermen and Fish Farmers
- Impact: They receive direct financial assistance for equipment (motors, nets), social security during ban periods, and improved access to institutional credit via KCC.
- Action Required: Stakeholders should register on the NFDP portal to establish a digital identity and approach state authorities for beneficiary selection under PMMSY.
Government of Kerala
- Impact: Responsible for the utilization of central funds and the selection of beneficiaries for various developmental activities and infrastructure projects.
- Action Required: The state government needs to submit specific proposals for fisheries infrastructure, such as fishing harbors and landing centers in regions like Vadakara, as no such proposals have been received to date under FIDF.
Department of Fisheries (DoF) and National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB)
- Impact: Acts as the central oversight and funding body ensuring schemes are aligned with national socio-economic goals.
- Action Required: Continue organizing outreach and awareness programs (such as those held in Ponnani and Malappuram) to ensure fishers are informed of available Government of India schemes.
Official Gazette PDF Record
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See Full Document Text & PDF Transcript
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
WELFARE SCHEMES FOR FISHERMEN
प्रव तथ: 11 AUG 2026 5:26PM by PIB Delhi
The Department of Fisheries, Government of India (DoF, GoI) has been implementing various schemes
for the holistic development of the fisheries, welfare and livelihood of fishers in all States/UTs, including
Kerala. The major schemes include the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) (2020-21 to
2026-27), the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) (2018-19 to 2025-26),
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY) (2023-24 to 2026-27), and extension
of the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) facility to fisheries (since 2018-19). Under PM-MKSSY, the National
Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP) was launched to facilitate formalisation of the fisheries and aquaculture
sector through creation of a work-based digital identity and database for stakeholders.
During the last five years and the current financial year (2026-27), under PMMSY, the DoF, GoI has
approved fisheries development proposals of the Government of Kerala amounting to Rs.1,413.91 crore
with a central share of Rs. 598.58 crore. Against this, the Central assistance of Rs.462.22 crore has been
released. The Government of Kerala has reported that the expenditure of Rs.451.807 crore was utilised
towards this release. Under PMMSY, the beneficiary selection is done by the respective State
Governments/Union Territories. Government of Kerala has informed that activities like livelihood support
during fish ban period, boats & nets for traditional fishermen, Biofloc fish farming, Re-Circulatory
Aquaculture System (RAS), backyard ornamental units, brackish water cage, fish kiosk, three wheeler
with ice box, motor cycle with ice box and Sagar Mitras are implemented in Vadakara, Kerala.
Government of Kerala has also informed that 3 primary societies of Vadakara are selected for Fish
Farmers Producer Organisations (FFPOs) under PMMSY. It is further informed that about 7561
beneficiaries are benefitted from Vadakara, Kerala.
Under the FIDF, the DoF, GoI has approved 13 projects in Kerala with a total project cost of Rs.551.72
crore. The approval also include an Integrated Fisheries Development Project of MATSYAFED at a total
project cost of Rs.35.97 crore, implemented across the State, including Kozhikode district, to provide
financial assistance to fishermen for procurement of outboard motors, fishing nets and allied fishing
accessories, thereby contributing to improvement in the livelihood and socio-economic well-being of
fishermen. No specific proposal to the Vadakara has been received under FIDF. Under PM-MKSSY, as on
date, about 35.92 lakh fishers, fish farmers and other stakeholders have registered on NFDP portal
including 2,52,301 from Kerala, of whom 5,032 belong to the Vadakara.
The DoF, GoI through National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) and Government of Kerala,
organized outreach programmes at Ponnani, Malappuram, covering fishers from the Vadakara, to create
awareness about schemes of Government of India. DoF GoI has not received any proposal from
Government of Kerala towards fisheries infrastructure, fishing harbours, fish landing centres in Vadakara.
DoF, GoI accords high priority towards livelihood strengthening, ensuring safety and social security of
traditional fishermen in all States/UTs including Kerala. The schemes and policies implemented by the
DoF, GoI are strategically aligned to achieve holistic development of the fisheries sector while placing the
socio-economic well-being of the fishers at its core. Under the PMMSY the DoF, GoI has approvedvarious fisheries developmental activities to Kerala including interventions towards livelihood and fishers
welfare namely, livelihood support for during the fishing ban period (1,71,033 Nos), support for boats and
fishing nets (200 units), establishment of Integrated Modern Coastal Fishing Villages (9 Nos),
establishment of Climate Resilient Coastal Fishing Villages (6 Nos), procurement of deep-sea fishing
vessels (20 units), bivalve cultivation (1140 units) as additional employment, fish transportation units (468
units), installation of artificial reefs (42 units) for resource enhancement, establishment of Matsya Seva
Kendras (10 Nos) and engagement of Sagar Mitras (222 Nos) for extension and advisory services.
Additionally, 18908 Nos of KCC cards have been sanctioned to fisheries beneficiaries in Kerala. All these
initiatives are aimed at strengthening of fishers livelihood and safety of fishers in Kerala including
Vadakara.
This Information was given by Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan
Singh alias Lalan Singh in the Lok Sabha in response to a question asked.
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