Arnold Thomas
Expert
Published on: Apr 20, 2026
Scheme on Development of Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture
The fisheries and aquaculture sector is one of the growing industries in India and provides a livelihood for the economically backward community. It plays a very vital role in enhanced food production, employment generation and foreign exchange profit in the country and thus, it is referred to as the sunshine sector in Indian agriculture. The Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, constituted the
Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries to oversee the development of fisheries’ sector through the State Governments and the Union Territories (UTs). The Ministry has launched a Centrally Sponsored Scheme on Development of Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture during the tenth plan to improve the socio-economic status of the fishermen and other stakeholders involved in the sector. You can also learn about the Neel Kranti Mission launched by the Government.Objective of the Scheme
The scheme is launched with the objective to:
- Promote fish farming
- Enhance fish production from the Inland sector
- Increase fish seeds and quality seeds in the country
- Develop hatcheries and brood banks across all the agro-climatic regions of the country
- Generate employment opportunities
- Diversify aquaculture practices
- Provide sustenance to fish farmers
Components of the Scheme
The Ministry has approved the total assistance of Rs.135 Crores to cover all the inland fishery resources available in the country in the form of fresh water, brackish water, cold water, waterlogged areas, alkaline soils for aquaculture and other fishery resources such as reservoirs, ponds, tanks, rivers etc. The expenses of the developmental activities are shared between the Central and the State Government with the ratio of 75:25 and the scheme covers the following components:
- Development of Freshwater Aquaculture
- Development of Brackishwater Aquaculture
- Development of Waterlogged Areas
- Coldwater Fisheries and Aquaculture
- Productive Utilisation of Inland Saline Soil Aquaculture
- Integrated Development of Inland Capture Resources (reservoirs/rivers, etc.)
Development of Freshwater Aquaculture
The component is launched through a single agency called Fish Farmers Development Associations (FFDAs) in the respective States and UTs. The pattern of assistance provided under the component is as follows:
- For building new ponds,
- Assistance of 2 Lakhs/ha is provided to all the farmers to construct new ponds in the plain areas, and a grant of Rs.3 Lakhs/ha is given to the farmers in the hilly areas.
- A subsidy of Rs.40,000/ha is allotted to the non-SC/ST farmers and Rs.50,000/ha for SC/ST farmers to build new ponds in plain areas. Whereas, a subsidy of Rs.60,000 for non-SC/STs and Rs.75,000/ha for SC/ST farmers is offered to build ponds in hilly areas and North-Eastern regions.
- Total assistance of Rs.60,000/ha is allocated to renovate the already existing ponds.
- An allowance of Rs.30,000/ha is offered for the activities carried out for the development of Fish Culture and Rs.1.2 Lakh/ha for the Fresh Prawn Culture.
- Total grant of Rs.20,000/unit of 100 Sq. M is released for the running water fish culture in both plain and hilly areas.
- Total assistance of Rs.80,000/ha and a subsidy of Rs.16,000/ha for non-SC/ST farmers and Rs.20,000/ha for SC/ST farmers are given to conduct integrated fish farming for the enhanced fish production.
- A subsidy of Rs.12,500 for each set of aerators is given to all the farmers who have accomplished the production of 3000kg/ha/year.
- A sum of Rs.8 Lakh for the hatchery with the capacity of 10 million for the plain areas and Rs.12 Lakh for the hill areas are allocated under the scheme to boost its production further.
- In order to support the small fish feed units, i.e., with the capacity of 1.2 quintals/day, a total amount of Rs.5 Lakh is allocated under the component.
- A stipend of Rs.100/day is given to the fish farmers who attend the training for the period of 10 days and an extra of Rs.100 for their travel expenses.
- A lump sum amount of Rs.30 Lakh for a large freshwater hatchery with a minimum capacity of 25 million PL/year and Rs.8 Lakh for a small of 5-10 million PL/Year is disbursed by the Ministry to the States.
- A grant of Rs.30 Lakh is allotted to the respective States, out of which Rs.25 Lakh is utilised for the establishment of the building and Rs.5 Lakh for the procurement of other materials such as equipment, chemicals etc.
Development of Brackishwater Aquaculture
The component aims at making use of the country’s wide area of brackish water and improves the shrimp culture under the execution of FFDA. It is implemented by Brackish Water Fish Farmers Development Agencies (BFDAs) formed in all the coastal areas and the UTs. The pattern of assistance provided under the component is as follows:
- For effective revamping or erection of brackish water fish farms, assistance of Rs.40,000 per hectare is provided as subsidy for the beneficiaries having land of 2 hectares.
- Training assistance is provided under the Fisheries Training and Extension Scheme for the shrimp farmers by the State Governments through the surveillance centres of Aquatic Animal Health.
- A 100% or compete expenditure is provided by the centre for building the network of expertise diagnostic centres with laboratories for Aquatic Animal Health.
- A single payment of Rs.5 Lakh is provided as a grant by Government for establishing the demonstration centres with enriched training etiquettes.
- The centre extends a 100% or entire expenditure for the Aquatic Quarantine and Inspection Units (AQIU) and its allied units for implanting the inspection and testing methods in-line with the NBFGR (ICAR Institute).
Coldwater Fisheries and Aquaculture
- The State Government delivers a grant of Rs.5 Lakh for the preparation of a resource survey report and feasibility report.
- The State Government grants payment of Rs.5 Lakh for the short-term investigations, breeding or rearing, etc.
- The state government disburses the entire proposal amount for the construction, renovation, extension or remodelling of fish farms.
- A subsidy of Rs.7,000 per unit for a unit cost of Rs.35,000 is allotted for the beneficiaries as the farming units for cold water species at an annual input.
- Subsidy benefits of Rs.8,500 per unit is released for the units under the running water fish culture.
- State Government releases a grant of Rs.10 Lakh per unit for the Feed units
- The state provides a stipend of Rs.100 per day of training for a period of 10 days with Rs.100 towards travel expenses and field visits per trainee.
The state and the centre equally share the cost incurred for the purchase of the vehicle under the scheme.
- Creative Application of Inland Saline/Alkaline Waters for aquaculture
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- A subsidy of Rs.50,000 per hectare is issued as the cost for construction.
- The subsidy of Rs.20,000 is issued as the input cost for land with the unit cost of Rs.1 Lakh per hectare.
- The state provides a stipend of Rs.100 per day of training for a period of 10 days with Rs.100 towards travel expenses and field visits per trainee.
- Inland Capture Fisheries (Reservoirs/Rivers etc.)
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- As assistance for the Fish Seed Rearing Units, a subsidy of Rs.40,000 is issued to the beneficiary/State Government/FISHCOPFED.
- To incur the input cost for the seed, feed, manures, fertilisers, preventive measures, etc., a subsidy of Rs.6,000 is released to the beneficiary/State Government/FISHCOPFED.
- The state provides a Stipend of Rs.100 per day of training for a period of 10 days with Rs.100 towards travel expenses and field visits per trainee.
- A subsidy of Rs.3,000 is provided to the farmers to purchase the nets, boats, crafts and gears.
- Further, the assistance of Rs.1 lakh is allotted by the State Government for the construction of landing centres.
- State provides financial assistance of Rs.2 lakhs per year for the Riverine Fisheries Conservation and Awareness Programmes.