In a major policy shift aimed at promoting growth in the fisheries sector, the Maharashtra Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, has approved granting agriculture status to fishing. This move, announced during a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, is expected to bring substantial benefits to the state’s fishermen and boost Maharashtra’s standing in national fish production.
With this decision, the government will provide a range of infrastructure and financial incentives to the sector. Fishermen will now be eligible for compensation in cases of loss or damage, similar to the relief offered to farmers.
State Fisheries Minister Nitesh Rane welcomed the move, describing it as transformative for the sector. “Giving the status of agriculture to fishing is a game changer decision. Due to this decision, our state can come in the top three in fishing. Our state is at sixth position in terms of marine fishing. Nearly, 4,83,000 fishermen will get concessional benefits like farmers. Fishermen will get loans as per agricultural rates, concessional electricity rates and insurance while solar energy benefits will be available. The availability of funds will be easy.”
He further explained that fishermen will now receive electricity subsidies, Kisan Credit Card access, and loan assistance at agricultural interest rates.
“The farmers will be eligible for loan assistance at agricultural rates. Fisheries will get insurance at low rates and fishermen will be eligible for financial assistance to set up fish farms with the help of new technologies (such as aquaculture). Grants will be available for cold storage facilities and ice factories.”
He added that fishermen will also gain access to a range of state and central government schemes.
Rane also emphasized the broader impact on employment and economic upliftment:
“A decision will create employment. Fishermen will also be able to avail benefits like farmers in the district central cooperative banks,” he said. “Today’s decision will improve the fishermen financially.”
This policy decision comes at a time when Maharashtra lags behind other states in terms of fish production. According to data from the State Fisheries Department, in FY 2022–23, Maharashtra contributed only 0.59 million metric tons—about 3.3% of the country’s total fish production of 17.54 million metric tons.
Maharashtra currently ranks sixth in marine fishing and seventeenth in inland fishing. In contrast, states like Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, and Karnataka have already granted agriculture status to fisheries and provided similar benefits. The results have been significant—fish production has surged in these states, with Karnataka witnessing a 103.03% increase, and other states reporting growth ranging from 32% to 50% over the last six years.
“Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar and Karnataka have provided facilities such as electricity tariff concession, Kisan Credit Card, loan assistance at agricultural rates, insurance tariff concession and equipment concession to give agricultural status to fisheries. In the last six years, the fish production has increased in Andhra Pradesh by 50.43 per cent, Chhattisgarh 32.15 per cent, Jharkhand 49.526 per cent, Bihar 45.02 per cent and Karnataka 103.03 per cent,” said the fisheries department sources.
The Maharashtra government is now looking to replicate this success by extending similar support, aiming to revitalize its fisheries sector and improve the economic conditions of its fishing communities.
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