Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying organized a Meeting on Aquaculture Crop Insurance scheme for Shrimp and Fish today 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.

Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi chaired the meeting and the meeting was attended by both Joint Secretaries of DoF; CE, NFDB; Senior officials from insurance companies, Department of Finance Services (DFS),Central Institute of Brackish water Aquaculture (CIBA) and State/UT government officials.

Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi highlighted the need for identifying the gaps and concerted efforts from all stake holders to reach the benefits of Aquaculture crop insurance to all eligible fishers.  He also stressed on understanding the concept of insurance amongst the stakeholders and suggested that training sessions on Best Management Practices should be undertaken to mandate the strategic plan for implementing the Insurance scheme.

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 of the same.

Joint Secretary, (Marine Fisheries), Ms Neetu Prasad in her address, suggested to setting up governing structure in line with Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) will be an important aspect to consider.

Joint Secretary inland fisheries, Shri Sagar Mehra presented a brief on a pilot project on Aquaculture Crop Insurance for both fish crop and Shrimp Crop 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 very 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 their insightful suggestion/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.

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SK/SS

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