Transforming strategies for infrastructure development through FIDF. Challenges in Fisheries sector, Infrastructure needs in Fisheries sector, maping of fisheries infrastructure & manpower in Fisheries sector, development of Fisheries infrastructure database (Indian Infra Fish ID), Human capital development, innovative solutions for sustainable development goals through Fisheries sector with stakeholders participatory Fisheries management

1. 1
Ambition for transforming better nation, through inclusive sustainable infrastructure development in fisheries sector by B
Recommended Strategies for effective Implementation of FIDF scheme for FY 2026-27 to
2030-31 towards addressing infrastructure and human capital developmental gaps in
Indian fisheries sector
Shri. Bhukya Bhaskar, Fisheries
I. Revised unit cost of projects as per current cost of components (2% -5% to previous rates,
after studying components cost in consultation with state govt. private beneficiaries, fishers,
farmers, self-help groups and cooperatives in fisheries sector).
II. Revise in credit guarantee cover based on scale and importance of project for the nation
and small scale fishers, farmers, start-ups and primary fisheries and aquaculture
activities)
a) 80% loan collateral free loans on Project cost range upto 50 lakhs (80% loan collateral
free loans for prime fisheries and aquaculture activities projects maximum number of
projects 1000 projects at various unit cost with maximum project cost of Rs. 50 Lakhs
amounting total Rs. 50,000 Lakhs/1000 units. Eligible loan amount of Rs.40,000 lakhs),
this project projects based on poverty line, unemployed students, rural empowerment this
projects based on project beneficiaries to their eligibility of project for small scale fisheries
business promotional infrastructure dependent activities).
Total fund requirement under this component: Rs. 400 crores
Interest subvention 3% and no lower and upper limit on interest on loan, with
maximum loan repayment period of 6 years.
III. Merging of FIDF Scheme
a) Central Schemes, of Dept. of fisheries, cooperatives, MSME, commerce& Industries,
MoTA, MoF, ministry of shipping and other ministries. This exceptional opportunities for
needy poorest areas, needy beneficiaries may be aligned with integrated objectives based on
integrated development strategies for targeted beneficiaries in aspirational districts/areas with
fisheries potential, it may helpful for uplifting the targeted areas for development.
b) Merging of FIDF approved projects with state govt. subsidy schemes:
Benefit exemption for availing balance loan for projects initiation and on-time completion of
sanctioned projects due to fund related constraints. (eg: 35% State govt. subsidy, 65% loan
under FIDF).
Integrated Centre cum state credit guarantee cover pattern under FIDF:
Recommended initiatives:
a) 80% of approved project cost may get assured loan with credit guarantee cover
facility under FIDF, with diverse pattern based on economic condition of
beneficiaries, by enforcing traceability system for identifying beneficiaries wise
needs, gap filling sustainable development goals initiatives
State recommended private projects may
i) with (center 25% credit facility, state 55% credit guarantee facility)
ii) Centre 55%: State 25% : beneficiary 20%
iii) Centre 35% State 45% : beneficiary 20%
iv) Centre 40%, State 40%; Beneficiary 20%

2. 2
Ambition for transforming better nation, through inclusive sustainable infrastructure development in fisheries sector by B
v) Centre 10-25 Lakhs collateral free loans, states 10-15 lakhs collateral free loans for
identified startups/fishers/farmers/self-help groups/fisheries students projects for self
employment opportunities creation initiatives in fisheries sector
b) Subsidy based merging
i. 35% state subsidy, 45% centre credit guarantee cover facility, 20% beneficiary
share
ii. 45% state subsidy, 45% centre credit gurantee cover facility, 10% beneficiary
share
iii. 60% state subsidy, 40% centre loan with 25% credit guarantee cover, 15%
beneficiary collateral security based loan
iv. 75% state subsidy, 25% centre credit gurantee cover facility maximum upto 5
years.
v. 50% state subsidy, 50% centre loan with 25% credit gurantee cover facility,
25% beneficiary collateral security based loan
vi. 50% State subsidy, 50% centre loan with 50% credit gurantee cover facility
for projects below 12.5 crores, with maximum repayment period of 9years.
c) Special fund for human capital development in fisheries, for infrastructure and
manpower skills also essential as in developed countries, similarly fisheries colleges,
universities infrastructure may be considered for development under FIDF. State
govt./universities/Research centre may given opportunities for advanced research and
development of supporting world class infrastructure facilities by inviting the foreign
experts in concerned field of expertise, this will help for international standards in
education on par with medical & veterinary education, directly linking to the concerned
state fisheries department, based on faculty representation for identified development
needs, national and international collaboration for students future, involving them for
contribution of academics in fisheries sector development, this will fill the gap in
industry and fisheries sector demanded skills for better services to the sector.
For this Rs. 1000 crores may be allocated for special developmental needs
(Innovative, fishers, farmers dependent in primary fisheries sector& students qualified
in fisheries science from all colleges may trained in foreign in selected disciplines,
infrastructure may be created after trained well on specific technologies for operating
on pilot scale at college/university/department provided facilities for pilot scale
initiatives under research centers, international collaboration & departmental financial
support prior to implementation in country.
Advantages of merging/collaboration with international agencies under FIDF schemes: it
will helpful to initiate the transformative initiatives, global demand gaps addressing on real
time challenging issues in fisheries sector and initiate the environmentally friendly
economically viable sustainable projects held up due to fund shortage. Lack of sufficient funds
among interested needy small-scale fishers, fisherwomen, aqua farmers, entrepreneurs and
students led startups for self-employment opportunities through creation of infrastructure
projects in fisheries sector.
IV. FIDF for large-scale world-class modern innovative fisheries projects of national
importance

3. 3
Ambition for transforming better nation, through inclusive sustainable infrastructure development in fisheries sector by B
a) Selective breeding and genetic improvement programmes on indigenous and commercially
important fishes (including lobsters, crabs, marine fishes, oysters, sea urchins, live feeds,
marine algae, seaweeds) in marine, brackish water, fresh water and cold-water species.
b) Nucleus breeding center (NBC)
c) Brood stock multiplication center (BMC)
d) Fish group specific quarantine facilities for supplying disease free, SPF, high health brood
stocks to fin fish and shell fish hatcheries.
e) Advancement in hatcheries: smart single and multi-species finfish and shellfish hatchery
facilities
f) Live feed production, multiplication and processing, packaging centre (eg: Artemia,
Polychaetes, insect culture, fungi, micro algae and other phyto and zooplanktons).
g) Advanced technologies for precision fish Nurseries, seed/PL rearing, shellfish crab/lobster
fattening and precision fish farming (fresh water, cold water, inland saline water, flood plains,
wetlands, lakes, tanks, reservoirs & riverine fisheries, brackish water lagoons
i) Fisheries and Aquaculture, harvest and post-harvest-inputs startups,
j) Boat building startups- e-fishing boats, solar fishing boats, alternative renewable energy
sources in fisheries and aquaculture activities.
Potential scope of FIDF scheme in creation, modernization and expansion of infrastructure in
Indian Fisheries and aquaculture sector
Sector wise needs:
1. Marine capture fisheries (Blue fishing ports, modern fish landing centre, artisanal, modern boats,
life saving appliance, deep sea fishing vessels)
2. Mariculture: (marine fin fish and shell fish hatcheries offshore fish farming, marine cage
culture, integrated multi trophic fish cum seaweed farming)
3. Estuarine(Brackish water) Capture & culture fisheries
4. Inland (Fresh water, cold water and saline water) capture fisheries and aquaculture,
hatcheries, seed farms, aqua units), species diversification facility for selective breeding & genetic
improvement facility for commercial aquaculture), Cages, processing plants, cold storage, freezing
technologies.
5. Integrated Fisheries, Aquaculture, harvest and post-harvest Infrastructure components
Diversified fisheries, agricultural, animal husbandry & allied sector integrated
infrastructure components
6. Fisheries livelihood dependent promotional infrastructure facilities
(Training centres, technological complex, aqua-multi facility units, fisher’s community halls,
integrated fisheries, aquaculture and allied alternative livelihood)
7. Fisheries cold chain, transportation, marketing (domestic& export) infrastructure
8. Any other Innovative, startups led fisheries infrastructure components
9. Development of Indian fisheries infrastructure database(Bharat-FISH-Infra ID)