Input Assistance to Farmers for Taking up Fish Farming in Farm Ponds" Component of the "Mukhyamantri Maschyajibi Kalyan Yojana" Scheme

Description
The "Input Assistance to Farmers for Taking up Fish Farming in Farm Ponds" Component of the "Mukhyamantri Maschyajibi Kalyan Yojana" Scheme was launched by the Fisheries & Animal Resources Development Department, Government of Odisha. The objective of this scheme is to increase the inland fish production, and to enhance the income of farmers in the State though aquaculture. Input assistance is provided to the farmers who have excavated farm ponds under MGNREGA for facilitating the production of fingerling and fish. The scheme is implemented by the Directorate of Fisheries through its field functionaries in Odisha.

Exclusions
• The applicant family should not be provided with multiple benefits under one particular scheme.
• A family will not be eligible for subsidy under the same scheme if any of its members has got a subsidy during the last two years.

Benefits
• One-day training and awareness programme will be conducted by the District Fisheries Officers for skill up-gradation of the beneficiaries.
• The input assistance towards pisciculture on the unit cost of ₹4,00,000/- hectare shall be given to the farmer as a one-time support at 40% for General Category, and 60% for Scheduled Castes (SC)/ Scheduled Tribes (ST)/Women/Transgender/Person with Disability (PwD) Category of farmers.
• Model 1
• Specification of Farm Pond: 20m x 20m
• Seed: 2400
• Feed: 10800
• Other Input: 2800
• Unit Cost (₹): 16000
• Subsidy Assistance (₹)
• General (40%): 6400
• SC/ST/Women/Transgender/PwD (60%): 9600
• Model 2
• Specification of Farm Pond: 15m x 15m
• Seed: 1350
• Feed: 6075
• Other Input: 1575
• Unit Cost (₹): 9000
• Subsidy Assistance (₹)
• General (40%): 3600
• SC/ST/Women/Transgender/PwD (60%): 5400
• Model 3
• Specification of Farm Pond: 10m x 10m
• Seed: 600
• Feed: 2700
• Other Input: 700
• Unit Cost (₹): 4000
• Subsidy Assistance (₹)
• General (40%): 1600
• SC/ST/Women/Transgender/PwD (60%): 2400
• *Other Inputs include fertiliser, lime, pro/pre/grow biotics, Vit-min mix, disinfectant, medicines, castnet, etc.
• NOTE 1: Farmers are free to stock more seed as per their choice for seed raising purpose.
• NOTE 2: The assistance shall be limited to 0.5 acres of water spread area per beneficiary.

Eligibility Criteria
1. The applicant should be a resident of Odisha.
2. The applicant must have a bank account in his/her name in Odisha.
3. The farm pond should have been excavated by the applicant.
4. The farm pond should have been excavated under the various Government schemes including Watershed Development Projects & MGNREGA through the Directorate of Soil Conservation & Watershed Development.
5. The farm pond should have a minimum 5 feet water depth.
6. The farm pond should have sufficient water retaining capacity for a minimum 5 months of culture period.
7. While availing subsidy, the beneficiary family will be considered instead of individual member of the family.

Application Process
Step 1: Step 1: The applicant should take print of the prescribed format of the application form.
Offline
Step 1: The applicant should take print of the prescribed format of the application form.

Step 2: Step 2: In the application form, fill in all the mandatory fields, paste the passport-sized photograph (signed across, if required), and attach copies of all the mandatory documents (self-attest, if required).
Offline
Step 2: In the application form, fill in all the mandatory fields, paste the passport-sized photograph (signed across, if required), and attach copies of all the mandatory documents (self-attest, if required).

Step 3: Step 3: Submit the duly filled and signed application form along with the documents to the Block Level Office.
Offline
Step 3: Submit the duly filled and signed application form along with the documents to the Block Level Office.

Step 4: Step 4: Request a receipt or acknowledgement from the concerned authority to whom the application has been submitted. Ensure that the receipt contains essential details such as the date and time of submission, and a unique identification number (i…
Offline
Step 4: Request a receipt or acknowledgement from the concerned authority to whom the application has been submitted. Ensure that the receipt contains essential details such as the date and time of submission, and a unique identification number (if applicable).

Required Documents
• Aadhaar Card (photocopy).
• Identification & Residential Proof (Aadhaar card).
• A Mobile Number (Aadhaar linked Mandatory).
• First page of Bank Passbook (photocopy).
• Land Document.
• Caste Certificate.
• The certificate of identity as transgender person issued by the District Magistrate as per "The Transgender persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 will be accepted for transgender category.
• For differently abled persons the certificate of disability issued by certifying authority/ competent authority indicating 40% or more disability as per "The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 will be acceptable."

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does the scheme ensure identification of farm ponds suitable for pisciculture, and who is responsible for providing the list at the block and district levels?
A: The Assistant Soil Conservation Officer (ASCO) provides the list at the block level, and PD watershed at the District level circulates it to Assistant Fisheries Officers (AFOs) for verification.

Q: What is the role of the AFO in mobilizing beneficiaries, and how is the application process initiated for availing subsidized fish seed?
A: The AFO, in coordination with the ASCO, mobilizes interested beneficiaries to collect the application form (Annexure-II) for availing subsidized fish seed under the scheme.

Q: How does the scheme determine the eligibility of farm ponds for assistance, and what are the specific criteria regarding water depth during the culture period?
A: Eligibility is based on water retention capacity for a minimum 5-month period and feasibility for aquaculture. The selected farm ponds must have a minimum water depth of 5 feet during the culture period.

Q: What is the process after the AFO finalizes the list of applications, and how does the District Fisheries Officer (DFO) contribute to the scheme?
A: The AFO finalizes the list of applications, recommends feasible farm ponds to the DFO, who issues a Go-ahead letter (Annexure-III) to the beneficiary for stocking of fingerlings.

Q: How are fingerlings procured, and what are the specific guidelines for the beneficiaries regarding their purchase?
A: Fingerlings are procured by beneficiaries from Govt./OPDC managed fish seed farms or other private hatcheries/seed grower farms of the locality.

Q: Can district officials enhance their allocated targets, and what flexibility do they have in reallocating block targets?
A: District officials can enhance their targets up to 25%, and they are free to reallocate block targets as per demand.

Q: How does the scheme facilitate credit linkage for beneficiaries, and what is the role of AFOs/DFOs in this aspect?
A: AFOs/DFOs facilitate credit linkage from banks to beneficiaries for availing loans as per the requirement of the beneficiary in Bank Finance case.

Q: What role does the DFO play in maintaining a complete database, and where is it uploaded?
A: The DFO uploads a complete database to the DSS portal to ensure comprehensive documentation of the scheme's implementation.

Q: What are the key components of the training and awareness program conducted by District Fisheries Officers for beneficiaries?
A: District Fisheries Officers conduct a one-day training and awareness program for skill up-gradation of beneficiaries to enhance their understanding of the scheme.

Q: What is the timeline for the submission of applications, and who is responsible for the initial scrutinization and field feasibility report submission?
A: Applications are submitted to the block level in July, and the initial scrutinization of applications and submission of the field feasibility report are responsibilities of the beneficiary and AFO, respectively.

Q: When is the Go-Ahead issued to the beneficiary, and what is the basis for issuing it?
A: The Go-Ahead is issued within 15 days of receiving the field verification report, ensuring the feasibility of pisciculture in the farm pond.

Q: What is the timeline for field inspection after stocking of fingerlings, and who is responsible for conducting this inspection?
A: Field inspection occurs within 15 days of receiving intimation from the beneficiary, and AFO & DFO are responsible for the inspection regarding the completion of the stocking process.