Fisheries
Centrally Sponsored Scheme on Development of Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture
Introduction:
The country is endowed with vast resources in terms of ponds & tanks, rivers & canals, reservoirs, lakes and other water bodies having immense scope for development of fisheries to strengthen the food security, generate employment opportunities and earn foreign exchange with the ultimate objective of improving the socio economic status of fishers and other people engaged in the sector. In this direction, the Government of India formulated and launched the Centrally Sponsored Scheme on “Development of Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture” under macro-management approach in States/UT’s during the 10th Plan. The total outlay approved for the entire 10th Plan period is Rs 135.00 crore. The components approved under the scheme are:
- Development of Freshwater Aquaculture.
- Development of Brackish water Aquaculture.
- Cold water Fisheries and Aquaculture.
- Development of Waterlogged Areas.
- Productive Utilization of Inland Saline/Alkaline Soils for Aquaculture.
- Integrated Development of Inland Capture Resources (reservoirs/rivers etc.)
The component-wise details of activities eligible for assistance, the quantum of assistance and other details are as mentioned below:-
Group 1: Development of Freshwater Aquaculture (FFDA’s) Ongoing Component
| Sr. No | Description of Items | Rate of assistance |
| 1 | Construction of new ponds | Rs 2.00 lakh/ha in the plain areas. Subsidy @ 20% with a ceiling of Rs. 40,000/ha for all farmers except SC’s/ST’s for whom it will be Rs 50, 000/ha (25%) Rs 3.0 lakh/ha in the hill States/Districts and North-Eastern region. Subsidy @ 20% with a ceiling of Rs 60,000/ha for all farmers except SC’s/ST’s for whom it will be Rs 75, 000/ha (25%). |
| 2 | Reclamation/Renovation of ponds/tanks | Rs 60,000/ha. Subsidy @ 20% with a ceiling of Rs 12, 000/ha for all farmers except SC’s/ST’s for whom it will be Rs 15,000/ha (25%). |
| 3 | Cost of inputs | a) Finfish Culture – Rs 30,000/ha Subsidy @ 20% with a ceiling of Rs 6,000/ha for all farmers except SC’s/ST’s for whom it will be Rs 7,500/ha (25%) b) Freshwater prawn culture – Unit cost Rs 1.20 lakh per ha. Subsidy @ 20% with a ceiling of Rs 24,000/- per ha |
| 4 | Running Water fish culture in hilly areas as well as in plain areas | Rs 20,000/unit of 100 sq. meters. The above cost is inclusive of Rs 4,000 towards inputs. Subsidy @ 20% with a ceiling of Rs 4,000/- unit for all farmers except SC’s/ST’s for whom it will be Rs 5,000/unit (25%). Ceiling of 3 units for each farmer in terms of admissibility of grant. |
| 5 | Integrated Fish Farming | Rs 80, 000/ha. Subsidy @ 20% with a ceiling of Rs 16, 000/ha for all farmers except SC’s/ST’s for whom it will be Rs 20,000/ha (25%). |
| 6 | Aerators/Pumps | 50, 000/unit of two-1hp aerators/one 5hp diesel pump. Subsidy @ 25% with a ceiling of Rs 12,500/- for each set of aerators/pump for all categories of farmers who have reached a level of production of 3000 kg/ha/year. Maximum of two-1hp aerators/one 5hp diesel pump for one-hectare water area will be admissible. |
| 7 | Freshwater Fish Seed Hatchery | Rs 8 lakh for a fish seed hatchery with 10 million (fry) capacity for the plain areas and Rs 12 lakh for same capacity in the hill States/Districts and NE Region. Subsidy @ 10% with a ceiling of Rs 80,000/- and Rs 1.20 lakh in the plain and hilly areas respectively to entrepreneurs only. |
| 8 | Fish Feed Units | Small Units – Unit cost is Rs 5 lakh with a capacity of 1.2 quintals/day. The subsidy would be @ 20% with a ceiling of Rs 1 lakh per unit to entrepreneurs. |
| 9 | Training of fish farmers | Stipend @ Rs 100/- per day during training period of 10 days and a lump sum of Rs 100/- towards travel expenses/field visits. |
| 10 | Establishment of freshwater prawn seed hatchery | i) Unit cost is Rs 30 lakh for a large freshwater prawn hatchery with a minimum capacity of 25 million PL/year. This would be one time grant to the States for establishment of hatchery at State level. (ii) Unit cost is Rs 8 lakh for a small hatchery of 5-10 million PL/Year capacity. Subsidy @ 20% with a ceiling of Rs 1.60 lakh to entrepreneurs as one time grant. |
| 11 | Establishment of laboratories at State level for water quality and fish health Investigations | Unit cost is Rs 30 lakh (Rs 25 lakh for the construction of building and Rs 5 lakh for equipment, glassware & chemicals, etc.). This would be one time grant to the States. The respective States would meet operational and other recurring cost. |
| 12 | Provision of soil and water testing kits to each FFDA | Unit cost of each soil and water testing kit is Rs 30,000. The kits are sanctioned once to each FFDA as one time grant. |
| 13 | Setting up of integrated units, including hatcheries for ornamental fishes | Unit cost is Rs 15 lakh, which includes hatchery of 5-10 million (fry) capacity. Subsidy @ 10% with a maximum ceiling of Rs 1.50 lakh to all categories of fish farmers. |
| 14 | Transportation of fish/prawn seed | This will be applicable only for the hill States/Districts and North-Eastern Region. Subsidy @ Rs 20 for 1000 fry transported to all FFDAs. Not applicable to individual fish farmer. |
| 15 | Purchase of Vehicles | 50% cost of vehicle for each new FFDA and 50% cost for the replaced vehicle (second vehicle). |
- Expenditure on all items above except purchase of vehicles (item 15) will be shared on 75:25 basis between Government of India and States.
- The above assistance under FFDA programme is available only once to a beneficiary.
- Subsidy for the construction of new ponds and tanks, reclamation/renovation of ponds/tanks and first year inputs to an individual beneficiary up to 5 ha is available with or without institutional finance in the plain areas and 1.0 ha in the hill States/Districts on pro-rata basis.
| Sr. No. | Description of Items | Rate |
| 1 | Renovation or construction of brackishwater fish farms | Beneficiaries will be small shrimp farmers having land holding of 2 ha or less. 25% cost subject to a maximum of Rs 40,000/- per ha as subsidy. |
| 2 | For training of shrimp farmers | Training part could be managed by the State Governments by availing assistance under another scheme on Fisheries Training and Extension or could provide specific/specialized training through the centers of expertise on surveillance centers proposed under the programme at Sr. No. 5 below. |
| 3 | Establishment of Demonstration-cum-Training center | One time GOI’s share of grants amounting to Rs 5.00 lakh. |
| NEW ACTIVITIES | ||
| 4 | Aquatic Quarantine and Inspection Unit (AQIU) | Unit Headquarter at Delhi and supporting staff at NBFGR (ICAR Institute) and nodal units one each on east and west coast. 100% expenditure will be incurred by the Centre. |
| 5 | Network of Diagnostic Laboratories for Aquatic Animal Health | 100% expenditure will be incurred by the Centre. |
Expenditure on items from 1 to 3 above will be shared on 75:25 basis between GOI and States. On items 4 and 5 above, 100% expenditure will be borne by the GOI.
Group 3: Coldwater Fisheries and Aquaculture (New Component)
| Sr. No. | Description of Items | Rate |
| 1 | Preparation of resource survey report/feasibility report | Rs 5 lakh as one time grant to the State Government |
| 2 | Short term investigations, breeding or rearing, etc. | Rs 5 lakh as one time grant to the State Government |
| 3 | Construction, renovation, extension or remodeling of fish farms | One time grant. Amount to be decided on the merit of the proposal |
| 4 | Farming units for coldwater fish species and first year inputs | Unit cost of Rs 35,000/- (Rs 25,000/- plus Rs 10,000/-) for a unit size – 15m x 2m x 1m. Subsidy to beneficiaries @ 20% with a maximum ceiling of Rs 7,000/- per unit. |
| 5 | Units for running water fish culture | Unit cost including inputs Rs 42,500/-. Subsidy to beneficiaries @ 20% with a ceiling of Rs 8,500/- per unit. |
| 6 | Feed units | Rs 10 lakhs per unit as one time grant to State Governments |
| 7 | Training of fish farmers | Stipend @ Rs 100/- per day of training (for a period of 10 days) and a lump sum payment of Rs 100/- towards travel expenses/field visits per trainee. |
| 8 | Purchase of vehicle | Purchase of one vehicle under the scheme is allowed. Expenditure to be shared on 50:50 basis by the Centre and the states. |
Expenditure on all the above items except Sr. No. 8 (purchase of vehicle) to be shared on 75:25 basis by the Centre and States.
Group 5: Productive Utilization of Inland Saline/Alkaline Waters for aquaculture (New Component)
| Sr. No. | Description of Items | Rate |
| 1 | Cost for construction | Unit cost Rs 2.5 lakh/ha Subsidy @ 20% with ceiling of Rs 50,000/- per ha |
| 2 | Input cost | Unit cost Rs 1 lakh/ha Subsidy @ 20% with a ceiling of Rs 20,000/- per ha |
| 3 | Training | Stipend @ Rs 100/- per day during training (maximum period of 10 days) and a lump sum payment of Rs 100/- towards travel expenses/field visits per trainee. |
Expenditure on all the above items will be shared on 75:25 basis by the Centre and States.
Group 6: Inland Capture Fisheries (Reservoirs/Rivers etc.) – New Component
| Sr. No. | Description of Items | Rate |
| 1 | Fish seed rearing units Seed Rearing Units |
Cages/pens with inputs Unit cost Rs 2 lakh/ha Subsidy @ 20% to the beneficiary/State Government/FISHCOPFED, etc. with a ceiling of Rs 40,000/- per ha Unit cost Rs 15,000/- Subsidy @ 20% to the beneficiary/State Government/FISHCOPFED, etc. with a ceiling of Rs 3000/- per unit |
| 2 | Input cost (seed, feed, manures, fertilizers, preventive measures for disease etc.) | Unit cost Rs 30,000/- per ha (one time) Subsidy @ 20% to the beneficiaries/State Government/FISHCOPFED with a ceiling of Rs 6000/- per ha |
| 3 | Training | Stipend @ Rs 100/- per day during training (maximum period of 10 days) and a lump sum payment of Rs 100/- towards travel expenses/field visits per training. |
| 4 | Craft and gear (nets, boats etc.) | Unit cost Rs 15,000/- Subsidy @ 20% with a ceiling of Rs 3000/- per unit |
| 5 | Construction of landing centers | Unit cost Rs 1,00,000/- per landing center Assistance to State Government |
| 6 | Riverine Fisheries Conservation and Awareness Programmes | Financial assistance to State Government for conservation/river ranching, etc. with a maximum ceiling of Rs 2 lakh in a year. |
Important Ongoing NFDB Schemes for Individual Beneficiaries/SHGs/Entrepreneurs (2014-15)
The National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) was established to work towards a blue revolution with a focus on increasing the fish production of the country to a level of about 10 million metric tonnes from the present level of 6.4 million metric tonnes, to achieve doubling of exports and an additional direct employment to an extent of 3.5 million by extending assistance to various agencies for implementation of activities under Inland, Brackish water and Marine sectors.
The NFDB has formulated several schemes for giving assistance to the individual farmers, SHGs, entrepreneurs & Govt. organization etc. The Directorate of Fisheries, West Bengal has taken initiatives to provide financial assistance through NFDB to the individual farmers, SHGs, entrepreneurs. The important schemes with existing unit cost and pattern of assistance are listed below:
Intensive Aquaculture in ponds and Tanks
| Sl No | Name of the Activity/Scheme | Unit Cost | Pattern of assistance |
| 1 | Construction of new fish/prawn ponds and Tanks | ||
| Existing species | Rs. 3.00 lakhs/ ha for plain areas | 20% subsidy with a ceiling of Rs. 0.60 lakhs /ha. and 25% subsidy to SC & STs with a ceiling of Rs. 0.75 lakhs/ha. | |
| New species Pangasius sutchi |
Rs. 3.00 lakhs /ha | 20% of the unit cost for all farmers and 25% subsidy to SC & STs | |
| 2 | Renovation of ponds and Tanks | ||
| Existing fish/prawn ponds and tanks | Rs.0.75 lakh/ha | 20% subsidy for all farmers/ entrepreneurs with a ceiling of 0.15 lakhs/ha and 25% subsidy to SC & STs with a ceiling of Rs. new species 0.1875 lakhs/ha. | |
| New species Pangasius sutchi |
Rs.0.75 lakh/ha | ||
| 3 | Cost of inputs | ||
| For prawn farming | Rs.1.80 lakhs/ha | 20% subsidy with a ceiling of Rs. 0.36 lakhs /ha for all farmers | |
| For fish/prawn farming in Paddy fields | Rs.0.50 lakhs/ha | 20% subsidy for all farmers/entrepreneurs | |
| New species Pangasius sutchi |
Rs. 5.00 lakh / ha | 40% of subsidy of the unit cost | |
| 4 | Establishment of freshwater prawn seed hatchery | ||
| Capacity: 5-8 million PL /unit/ year for Entrepreneurs/farmers | Rs. 12 lakhs/unit | 20% subsidy with a ceiling of Rs. 2.40 lakhs to entrepreneurs / farmers. | |
| 5 | Establishment of fish seed hatchery | ||
| Establishment of fish seed hatcheries with or with out /nurseries 7 -8 million (fry) capacity / year | Rs. 12.00 lakhs/ unit | 20% back ended bank linked subsidy to entrepreneurs / farmers with a ceiling of Rs. 2.4 lakhs/unit. | |
| 5 | Construction of fish seed rearing units | ||
| Construction of fish seed rearing units for rearing fry to large fingerlings of 80 – 100 mm size | Rs. 3.00 lakhs/ha. | 20% subsidy for all farmers/entrepreneurs 25% subsidy to SC & STs | |
| Feed mill of 1.2 quintal /day | 7.5 lakhs / unit | 20% subsidy with a ceiling of Rs. 1.5 lakh per unit to entrepreneurs/ Farmers | |
Freshwater Ornamental Fisheries
| Sl No | Name of the Activity/Scheme | Unit Cost | Pattern of assistance |
| 1 | Backyard hatchery | Rs.1.50 lakh | 50% unit cost as subsidy to entrepreneurs, members of Women SHGs/ Fisherwomen Cooperative Societies |
| 2 | Medium scale unit | Rs.4.00 lakhs | 50% unit cost as subsidy to beneficiaries |
| 3 | Integrated Ornamental Fishery Units | Rs 15.00 lakhs | 50 % unit cost as subsidy to entrepreneur |
| 4 | Setting up of Aquarium fabrication units SHGs/ Entrepreneurs | Rs. 1.00 lakh | 50% unit cost as subsidy to members of Women SHGs/ Fisherwomen Cooperative Societies and 25% unit cost as subsidy to individual persons. |
Coastal Aquaculture
| Sl.No | Name of the Activity/Scheme | Unit Cost | Pattern of assistance |
| 1 | Construction of ponds for brackish water fin fish culture | Rs. 2.40 lakhs/ha | 25% cost subject to a maximum of Rs. 0.60 lakhs/ha as subsidy. |
| 2 | Additional infrastructure for modification of existing shrimp farm for brackish water finfish culture. | Rs. 2.00 lakhs/ ha. | 25% cost subject to a maximum of Rs. 0.50 lakhs/ha as subsidy. |
| 3 | Input assistance for brackish water fin fish culture. | Rs. 3.00 lakhs/ ha. (subject to the approval of CIBA based on the production levels) | 1. One time back ended subsidy of 25% to all farmers to a maximum of 0.75 lakhs/ha and 2. 30% subsidy in case of SC/STs to a maximum of Rs. 0.90 lakhs/ha. |
| 4 | Assistance for additional infrastructure to Specific Pathogen Free shrimp culture farm | Rs. 15.00 lakhs for 5 ha. w.s.a. and above | 1. Back ended subsidy of 25% on the capital cost. 2. Back ended subsidy of 30% on the capital cost to SCs/STs |
Development of Domestic Fish Marketing
| Sl.No | Name of the Activity/Scheme | Unit Cost | Pattern of assistance |
| 1 | Setting up of retail fish Outlets (mobile) | Up to Rs.10.00 lakhs | Subsidy @ 25 % of approved project cost to entrepreneurs (30% subsidy for SCs /ST). |
| 2 | Retailing by fisherwomen | Up to Rs. 10.00 lakhs | 40% subsidy on the project cost to Fisherwomen who are involved in fish marketing and fisherwomen who are from fishermen Community and members of local fishermen or fisherwomen co-operative societies. |
Fish drying and Processing
| Sl.No | Name of the Activity/Scheme | Unit Cost | Pattern of assistance |
| 1 | Setting up of Solar Drying of fish units. | (i) Unit cost up to Rs. 6.0 lakhs for 100 Kg/day (ii) case to case basis for 500 Kg./day and above. |
25% subsidy (30% for SC/ ST) to fishermen/ fisher women/SHGs/ entrepreneurs |
| 2 | Platform for Sun drying of fish | Unit cost limited to Rs. 35,000/- per platform of min 150 sq. feet. | 25% subsidy (30% for SC/ ST) to Fishermen/ fisher women/SHGs/ entrepreneurs. |
Submission of Proposal: There is a single Application Form for all these NFDB schemes. All the eligible applicants shall submit duly filled application form to the concerned Block Fishery Extension Officers/CEO, FFDA of district.
Important documents required for NFDB assistance
- Clear title of the land in the name of the applicant/s (copy of Porcha/ROR)
- If the land is on lease, lease deed for a minimum period of 7 years (copy of lease deed agreement)
- Bank’s consent to provide loan towards the non-subsidy portion of the investment (original copy of bank consent letter).
- In case of Self finance (full or part) towards the non-subsidy portion of investment; the applicant has to furnish self declaration on one hundred rupees Non- Judicial Stamp Paper. This Stamp Paper should be attached with the Application Form.
- SC/ST Certificate (in case of SC/ST farmers)
- Proof of identity ((EPIC, Passport, Ration Card, Bank Account etc.)
- Other documents as specified in the schemes for which assistance required.
Release of Subsidy: Generally, the subsidy sanctioned shall be released to the implementing agencies in single installment/two installments depending upon the schemes.
Disbursement of Subsidy: The NFDB subsidy shall be back-ended in both the cases of self financed as well as bank loan availed towards the non-subsidy portion of funds.
However, the detailed conditions for disbursement of the NFDB assistance will be indicated in the respective sanctioned.