PMMSY Saline Aquaculture Inputs

Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), the Department of Fisheries provides funding towards input costs for the first crop raised in newly built ponds and tanks located in saline and alkaline areas (item 1.10 of the scheme's activity list). These culture systems allow inland saline land, which would otherwise remain unproductive, to be put to economic use.

The benchmarked unit cost is ₹6.00 lakh per hectare, which covers seed, feed and other production inputs. Government assistance stands at ₹2.40 lakh per hectare for a general beneficiary, and ₹3.60 lakh per hectare for an SC/ST/Women beneficiary. Support is limited to the first crop only.

Proposals are submitted to the State/UT Fisheries Department.

- Build the new saline or alkaline water pond or tank for which you are claiming inputs - Draw up an input-cost proposal using the unit cost of ₹6.00 lakh per hectare - File it with your District or State Fisheries Officer under PMMSY, attaching pond, soil and water particulars, along with a category certificate if you are claiming the higher rate - The State Fisheries Department assesses and approves the claim through the Annual Action Plan - Funds are disbursed once the stocked pond has been verified

State and UT Fisheries Departments assess proposals for conformity with PMMSY activity norms and unit costs, rank them within the outlay set by the approved Annual Action Plan, and pass them on for sanction. Assistance is released only after the asset created has been physically verified.