(a) whether the Government has framed any scheme in the interest of farmers engaged in fisheries;
(b) if so, the number of people benefited through such schemes and the details thereof, State-wise;
(c) whether any scheme is likely to be prepared by the Government in the coming years, through which small fishing farmers can be connected with fisheries; and
(d) if so, the time by which such schemes will be finalized and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
(SHRI PRATAP CHANDRA SARANGI)
(a) and (b) : Yes, Sir. The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying since the financial year 2015-16 has been implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) on Blue Revolution: Integrated Development and Management of Fisheries at a total central outlay of Rs.3000 crore for development of fisheries in the country especially with farmer eccentric activities. The CSS aims (i) to increase the overall fish production in a responsible and sustainable manner for economic prosperity, (ii) to modernize the fisheries sector with special focus on new technologies, (iii) to ensure food and nutritional security in the country, (iv) to generate employment and export earnings and (v) to ensure inclusive development and empower fishers and aquaculture farmers.
In order to address the infrastructural requirements for fisheries sector, the Department of Fisheries during 2018-19 has created a dedicated fund namely Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Fund (FIDF) a fund size of Rs 7522.48 crore. Under the FIDF, concessional finance is provided for development fisheries infrastructure in the country. Besides, the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) facility has been extended to fishers and fish farmers to help them to meet their working capital needs.
As per the statistical information compiled in the Department of Fisheries, the fisheries sector provides livelihood to 16.00 million fishers population at the primary level to inland fishers, marine fishers, fish farmers and almost twice the number along the value chain. The activities covered under above said are directly or indirectly benefiting these fishers and fish farmers.
(c) and (d) : In addition to the above mentioned ongoing schemes, the Government of India in its Budget, 2019 announced a focused scheme Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) aiming to establish a robust fisheries management framework and to address the critical gaps in the value chain, including infrastructure, modernisation, traceability, production, productivity, post harvest management and quality control.
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