Centre Urges West Bengal to Improve NFDB Registrations, Enhance Fisheries Growth

At the Regional Review Meeting organised by the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh (alias Lalan Singh) strongly urged West Bengal to urgently bridge critical implementation gaps in central fisheries schemes, highlighting that low registration of fish farmers with the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) has become a significant barrier to their economic empowerment.

The meeting, held in Kolkata on 2nd August 2025, was attended by key central officials including the Union Minister of State, Shri George Kurian, and Secretary of the Department of Fisheries, Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, along with senior representatives from West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh. It provided a strategic platform to assess and realign fisheries schemes like Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), PM Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY), Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), and the Kisan Credit Card (KCC).

Low NFDB Registration: A Major Concern

Addressing the meeting, Minister Singh pointed out a critical concern for West Bengal: out of approximately 32 lakh fish farmers in the state, only a small fraction are currently registered with NFDB. This gap severely restricts their access to financial assistance and benefits under central schemes, notably PM-MKSSY, aimed at enhancing farmers' income and productivity.

He emphasized the urgent need for a state-driven initiative to actively enroll more farmers onto the NFDB portal to ensure they receive the full spectrum of government support.

Unlocking Potential: Inland Fisheries and Traditional Ponds

West Bengal, with its rich natural resources, was identified as having enormous untapped potential in the fisheries sector, particularly inland fisheries. Shri Singh advocated for revitalizing traditional water bodies known locally as pukurs (ponds), urging state authorities to invest in their redevelopment. He recommended forming robust cooperative structures for local fishers to collectively benefit from improved infrastructure, credit access, and market linkages.

The Union Minister also hinted at a strategic initiative to establish a modern dry fish cluster in West Bengal, designed to boost local employment, enhance value-added exports, and stimulate rural entrepreneurship.

Sustainable Practices and Advanced Technologies

Highlighting India’s global stature as the world’s second-largest fish producer, Minister Singh noted an impressive 104% growth in overall fish production nationally over the past decade. Specifically, inland fish production witnessed a remarkable surge of 142%, yet he acknowledged that India's share in global fish exports remains below potential.

To enhance sustainable practices, he emphasized embracing advanced technological interventions, specialized training programs, and revitalizing techniques such as establishing artificial reefs, which boost marine life biodiversity and sustainably enhance fish yield.

A Call for Improved Institutional Support

Both Union Minister of State George Kurian and Fisheries Secretary Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi underscored the significance of stronger central-state coordination, emphasizing the importance of institutional capacity-building and efficient governance structures for delivering fisheries-related schemes.

They called upon state governments to proactively utilize central schemes, ensuring swift disbursement and efficient monitoring to achieve broader socio-economic impacts for local fishing communities.

Roadmap for Enhanced Implementation in Eastern India

During the deliberations, detailed presentations and briefings were made by senior officials from the central Department of Fisheries and participating states—West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh. Discussions revolved around ground-level implementation challenges, success stories, and actionable strategies for accelerated scheme execution.

The primary focus was placed on the effectiveness of flagship initiatives:

• Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY): A comprehensive scheme aiming at doubling farmers’ income through sustainable fish farming practices.

• PM Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY): Focused on providing direct benefits and financial assistance to fish farmers.

• Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF): Ensuring necessary infrastructure for fisheries, aquaculture parks, and modernized processing units.

• Kisan Credit Card (KCC): Expanding credit accessibility to fishers to reduce dependence on informal lenders and encourage financial inclusion.

Charting the Path Forward

The Kolkata review session concluded with an action-oriented roadmap, underlining the imperative of swift and large-scale farmer registration with NFDB, widespread dissemination of information regarding central schemes, and targeted interventions to bolster fisheries infrastructure and market access.

The state authorities committed to taking proactive steps, in collaboration with central departments, to rapidly close existing gaps and foster sustainable economic development in fisheries, benefitting lakhs of small-scale and marginal fishers across eastern India.

Minister Singh expressed confidence that with sustained collaboration and transparent governance, fisheries could become a major economic driver for West Bengal and neighbouring states, improving livelihoods and positioning the region as a hub of sustainable aquaculture and fisheries-based trade.