Patna. There is news of great relief for fish farmers in Bihar. The government has launched Aquaculture Insurance Scheme under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samriddhi Sa Yojana, through which fish farmers will be protected from losses caused due to natural calamities and diseases.

Who is the scheme for?

Aquaculture farmers, fish farmers, fish farmers associated with cage culture, self-help groups, cooperative institutions, FPOs and micro and small entrepreneurs associated with fish farming can avail the benefit of this scheme. Especially those rearing indigenous fishes like Katla, Rohu, Mughal, Common Carp can take advantage of this.

insurance options

There are two types of insurance options available in this plan:

Basic Insurance: Protection against losses caused by floods, cyclones, pollution, drought and other natural calamities.

comprehensive insurance: Protection against fish diseases and additional risks along with all the risks covered under the basic insurance.

government incentives

The government gives back up to 40% of the incentive amount to the farmers who take the insurance policy by paying the premium amount. Along with this, Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe and women farmers will get additional 10% incentive amount. The maximum limit of one time incentive is Rs 1 lakh. Whereas for Scheduled Caste/Tribe and women the maximum is Rs 1 lakh 10 thousand.

Form Size and Eligibility

Rs 25 thousand per hectare for water spread area and up to a maximum of 4 hectares water spread area. Other intensive aquaculture systems like RAS, cage, biofloc, raceway have a limit of 1800 cubic metres. For more information, farmers should visit the website of Bihar Fisheries Department.