WELFARE SCHEMES FOR FISHERMEN

The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying reported that under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) the Department of Fisheries approved fisheries development proposals for Kerala worth Rs 1,413.91 crore (central share Rs 598.58 crore) and released Rs 462.22 crore, of which Rs 451.807 crore was spent. Activities include livelihood support during fish‑ban periods, provision of boats, nets, Biofloc farming, RAS, ornamental units, cage culture, fish kiosks, ice‑box vehicles and Sagar Mitras in Vadakara, benefiting 7,561 beneficiaries. Under the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) 13 projects in Kerala were approved with a total cost of Rs 551.72 crore, including an Integrated Fisheries Development Project of Rs 35.97 crore. The National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP) under PM‑MKSSY has registered 2,52,301 Kerala stakeholders, of whom 5,032 are from Vadakara. Additional measures include 18,908 KCC cards, establishment of modern and climate‑resilient coastal fishing villages, artificial reefs, and Sagar Mitras for advisory services.