NEW DELHI, 20 July 2020: In order to develop fisheries sector, New Delhi based apex body of fishery cooperatives, Fishcopfed is eyeing to develop 500 FPOs in fisheries vertical in the next ten years.

The body said has recently submitted a vision plan for ten years to the Department of fisheries under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and demanded for a package of INR 300 crore for five year to develop the sector.

Speaking on this, Fishcopfed managing director D B K Mishra said, The federation has submitted a vision plan for 10 years, as now the guidelines are ready, we are now looking for the funds to flow.

The cooperative will build FPOs and also propagate Kisan Credit Cards in fisheries Sector, working in aspirational districts of India for fisheries development, among other things, Mishra added.

It may be noted that in May 2020 the cabinet approved the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana with highest ever investment of INR 20,050 crore in fisheries sector comprising of Central share of INR 9407 crore, State share of INR 4880 crore and Beneficiaries contribution of INR 5763 crore.

Mishra said that insurance cover could be provided to over 10 million fishers, if the state provides data of fishermen. As per an estimate, there are around 42 lakh fishers in over 21000 FCSs under the PMSBY.

“Though the corpus fund given to fishcopfed for training activities has been stuck due to Covid-19, no business is going on in the current situation and it has become a challenge for Fishcopfed to run the national and state offices, even our two employees died due to the coronavirus”, Mishra stressed.

Stressing further, Mishra said that Fishcopfed has 9 offices in different states and has networking with all states and UTs. It is covering around 30 lakh fishers, we have an ambitious plan to cover 10 million fishers in 10 years and propose to cover boat insurance.