Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Government of India, Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, highlighted the need for identifying the gaps and concerted efforts from all stakeholders to reach the benefits of Aquaculture Crop Insurance Scheme to all eligible fish farmers. He also stressed on understanding the concept of insurance amongst the stakeholders. He suggested that training sessions on best management practices should be undertaken to mandate the strategic plan for implementing the insurance scheme.
Dr. Likhi was speaking during a meeting on Aquaculture Crop Insurance scheme for shrimp and fish, organised by the Department of Fisheries, on Wednesday to discuss and understand technical challenges in the implementation of Aquaculture Crop Insurance Scheme for shrimp and fish farming under the ongoing Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) scheme.
You may also like to read: Aquaconnect expands into West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh with tech-enabled aquaculture solutions
Dr. Likhi chaired the meeting and the meeting was attended by both joint secretaries of DoF; CE, National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB); senior officials from insurance companies, Department of Financial Services (DFS), ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA) and the officials from the states and union territories.
Dr. L. Murthy, C.E. NFDB highlighted that NFDB is implementing the pilot scale insurance scheme for shrimp and freshwater fish in flood-prone areas of Andhra Pradesh and other parts of the country and briefly gave an overview.
Joint Secretary, (Marine Fisheries), Neetu Prasad in her address, suggested that setting up governing structure in line with Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) will be an important aspect to consider.
You may also like to read: CMFRI to provide technical support for strengthening sustainable harvest of selected trawl fishery of Kerala
Joint Secretary (Inland Fisheries), Sagar Mehra presented a brief on a pilot project on Aquaculture Crop Insurance Scheme for both fish crops and shrimp crops under PMMSY and highlighted the best management practices being adopted in the aquaculture shrimp farming. He also informed that aquaculture production is continuously increasing therefore it is essential to manage risk faced by the marginalised farmers by providing them with insurance for their crops. He also brought out various challenges being faced by the fishers or taking insurance.
The officers from insurance companies, DFS, state fisheries departments, CIBA and NFDB actively participated in the meeting and gave suggestions and feedback for implementing the scheme for saturation.
Towards the end, open discussion was held with the various agencies, clarifications were sought from the distinguished agencies on practical and on-the-ground issues and possible actions and development of new insurance products.
