New Delhi: The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying is implementing various schemes and programmes for development and promotion of aquaculture in the country claims Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Pratap Chandra Sarangi in Lok Sabha on Monday.

Minister Sarangi explaining the initiative said, "The Department of Fisheries has launched a flagship Scheme 'Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY): A scheme to bring about Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of fisheries sector in India'. The PMMSY inter-alia, envisages financial assistance for promotion of freshwater and brackish water aquaculture, fish culture in reservoirs and other open water bodies, wetland, cold water fisheries and technology infusion in the aquaculture sector."

He said, "The PMMSY also envisages cluster and area-based developmental approaches to enhance competitiveness of aquaculture sector, facilitate economies of scale, generate higher incomes, accelerate growth and expansion of the sector in an organized manner, amplify outcomes. Potential areas for aquaculture are developed as an integrated cluster with requisite interventions/activities, forward and backward linkages and with facilities for quality brood, seed and feed, critical infrastructure, processing and marketing networks."

He added, "Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure and Development Fund (FIDF) also provide concessional finance for development of aquaculture. Kisan Credit Card (KCC) facility has also been extended to fishers and fish farmers to meet their working capital requirements."