Honorarium for Pradhan Samajpatis of Indigenous Tribal Community 2026

This scheme in Odisha aims to boost fish production and farmer income by providing financial aid for Read More... fish farming in farm ponds dug under MGNREGA. Read less

Details

The Government of Odisha, through its Fisheries & Animal Resources Development Department, has introduced a special initiative to empower farmers. This scheme, 'Input Assistance to Farmers for Taking up Fish Farming in Farm Ponds', is part of the larger 'Mukhyamantri Maschyajibi Kalyan Yojana'. Its main goal is to increase fish production within the state and improve the earnings of farmers through aquaculture.

What Is This Scheme?

The core idea of this initiative is to provide financial support to farmers. This help is specifically for those who have dug farm ponds as part of schemes like MGNREGA. The assistance is geared towards facilitating the breeding and farming of fish fingerlings and mature fish. The Directorate of Fisheries implements this scheme across Odisha, with the help of its local officials.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

This scheme is designed for farmers residing in Odisha who have their own farm ponds. These ponds should ideally have been excavated under government schemes like MGNREGA. Special focus is given to beneficiaries from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), women, transgender individuals, and persons with disabilities (PwD), offering them higher subsidy rates.

Why This Scheme Is Important

By providing essential inputs and training, this scheme directly contributes to increased inland fish production. This not only helps the environment but also creates a more sustainable livelihood for farmers involved in aquaculture. The scheme aims to make fish farming a more profitable and accessible venture for a wider range of people, promoting economic growth at the grassroots level.

Objective

This scheme in Odisha aims to boost fish production and farmer income by providing financial aid for fish farming in farm ponds dug under MGNREGA.

Benefits

Honorarium of ₹2000/- per month.

Sources and references

Guidelines

Eligibility Criteria

You must be a resident of Odisha.
You need to have a bank account in your name in Odisha.
The farm pond must have been excavated by you.
The farm pond should have been dug under government schemes like Watershed Development Projects or MGNREGA.
Your farm pond must have a minimum water depth of 5 feet.
The pond should be able to retain water for at least 5 months for fish culture.
When applying for the subsidy, the entire beneficiary family will be considered as one unit.

How To Apply

Interested farmers should obtain the application form (Annexure-II) from the Assistant Fisheries Officer (AFO).
Applications are typically submitted at the block level in July.
The beneficiary is responsible for initial application scrutiny, and the AFO will submit a field feasibility report.
If the farm pond is found feasible for fish culture, the AFO will recommend it to the District Fisheries Officer (DFO).
The DFO will then issue a 'Go-ahead' letter (Annexure-III) to the beneficiary. This letter permits the stocking of fingerlings.
Fingerlings can be purchased from government or OPDC managed fish seed farms, or other registered private hatcheries.
AFOs and DFOs will help beneficiaries in linking with banks for loans if needed.

For More Details: You can reach out to the Directorate of Fisheries through their field functionaries in Odisha or visit their official channels.

Documents Required

Aadhaar Card (photocopy)
Proof of Identity and Residence (Aadhaar card is sufficient)
A mobile number linked with Aadhaar is mandatory.
First page of your Bank Passbook (photocopy)
Land Document proving ownership or use of the farm pond
Caste Certificate
For Transgender Applicants: A certificate of identity as a transgender person issued by the District Magistrate, as per "The Transgender persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019".
For Differently-Abled Persons: A certificate of disability issued by a competent authority, indicating 40% or more disability, as per "The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016".

FAQ’s

What is the process for verifying farm pond suitability for fish farming?

The Assistant Soil Conservation Officer (ASCO) at the block level compiles a list, which is then shared by the PD Watershed at the District level with Assistant Fisheries Officers (AFOs). The AFOs verify these ponds for their suitability for aquaculture.

How can a farmer apply for the subsidized fish seed, and what is the AFO's role?

Interested farmers can get the application form (Annexure-II) from the AFO. The AFO works with the ASCO to encourage farmers to apply for the subsidized fish seed available under this scheme.

What are the main conditions for a farm pond to be considered eligible for this scheme?

Eligible farm ponds must be able to hold water for at least 5 months and be suitable for fish farming. Importantly, the water depth must be at least 5 feet during the culture period.

What steps are taken after the AFO finalizes the applications, and what is the DFO's involvement?

Once the AFO finalizes the list of applications and recommends suitable farm ponds, the District Fisheries Officer (DFO) issues a 'Go-ahead' letter to the beneficiary. This letter authorizes them to stock fingerlings in their ponds.

Where should beneficiaries get their fish fingerlings from, and are there any specific instructions?

Beneficiaries can procure fingerlings from fish seed farms managed by the Government or OPDC. They can also buy from other approved private hatcheries or seed grower farms in their area. Farmers are free to buy more seeds than suggested if they wish.

Can district officials change the targets set for their areas?

Yes, district officials have the flexibility to increase their targets by up to 25%. They can also reallocate targets among different blocks based on the demand they observe.

How does the scheme help farmers get loans, and what support do AFOs/DFOs provide?

AFOs and DFOs assist beneficiaries in connecting with banks to secure loans if they require financial assistance to meet the costs associated with fish farming.

What is the DFO's responsibility regarding the scheme's data, and where is it stored?

The DFO is responsible for maintaining a complete database of the scheme's activities and uploading it to the DSS portal for efficient record-keeping and monitoring.

What kind of training will farmers receive under this scheme?

District Fisheries Officers will conduct a one-day training session. This program is designed to enhance the beneficiaries' knowledge and skills related to fish farming practices.

When should farmers submit their applications, and who checks them first?

Applications need to be submitted to the block level by July. The beneficiary is responsible for ensuring the application is complete, and the AFO then conducts a field feasibility report.

How soon after the report is submitted will the beneficiary get approval to stock fish?

The 'Go-Ahead' letter, allowing the beneficiary to stock fingerlings, is issued within 15 days of receiving the field verification report, ensuring the pond is suitable.

After stocking the fish, when will the pond be inspected, and by whom?

An inspection will take place within 15 days of the beneficiary informing the authorities about stocking the fingerlings. Both the AFO and DFO will conduct this inspection to confirm the stocking process is complete.