Maha Cabinet grants agriculture status to fishing

Mumbai

In a significant policy move, the Maharashtra Cabinet, under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, has approved granting agriculture status to fishing. This decision aims to promote the growth of the fishing sector in the state. With this new status, fishermen will be eligible for benefits similar to those given to farmers, such as compensation for damage, loans at agricultural rates, and concessional electricity rates. Additionally, they will have access to insurance and support for setting up fish farms using modern techniques like aquaculture.

State Fisheries Minister Nitesh Rane called this a game-changing decision, stating it could elevate Maharashtra to the top ranks in fishing. Currently, Maharashtra ranks sixth in marine fishing, but with this decision, around 483,000 fishermen will enjoy benefits like farmers, including Kisan Credit Card facilities and financial assistance for infrastructure like cold storage and ice factories.

The government plans to provide financial support through various central and state schemes, encouraging technological advancements in the fishing industry. The move aims to create more jobs and improve the financial conditions of fishermen. Maharashtra, which lags behind in fish production compared to other states, hopes to close this gap. In 2022-23, the state produced just 0.59 million metric tonnes of fish, far below states like Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, where fish production has seen significant growth after similar initiatives.