Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund
Funded, but no order confirms it is still open: Union Expenditure Budget 2026-27 (Feb 2026, Demand No. 43 (Department of Fisheries), item 3 Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), BE 2026-27 ₹30.30 crore; Notes item 3)
Cheaper bank loans for fisheries infrastructure — hatcheries, fish feed mills, cages, cold storage, ice plants, processing units, fish markets and transport: the government pays the lender up to 3% a year so the loan rate can be as low as 5%. The order allowed new loans only until 31 March 2026, so check whether it has been extended.
- Lead benefit
- FreeConcessional loan up to 80% of project cost, at not less than 5% a year, with the government paying the lender up to 3% a year
- Components
- 1each read from the document
- Who can apply
- 8kinds of applicant
- Closing date
- Closed on 31 Mar 2026see “When to apply”
What it pays
A loan of up to 80% of the cost of a fisheries infrastructure project at an interest rate that can go as low as 5% a year, because the government pays the lender up to 3% a year; repay over up to 12 years including 2 years’ moratorium.
What the document says, word for word
We do not show this as “3% off your interest”: the up-to-3% also covers a 0.6% management margin for the lender (11.3), and it is paid only on the cost within the unit costs of Table-1 — any cost above that is yours (21.3). The order names marginal farmers, SCs, STs, women, entrepreneurs, SHGs, cooperatives and fish-farmer groups; for projects of entrepreneurs, individual farmers and cooperatives it also offers a credit guarantee from the Department of Animal Husbandry’s Infrastructure Development Fund (cl. 23).
“10.1 The project under the FIDF shall continue to be eligible for loan up to 80% of the estimated/actual project cost. Beneficiaries are required to contribute at least 20% of the project cost as margin money. … 11. Interest Subvention and Lending Rate of Interest — Interest Subvention : Up to 3% per annum for all EEs for development of identified fisheries based infrastructure facilities. Lending Rate of Interest : Not lower than 5% per annum for all EEs for development of identified fisheries based infrastructure facilities. The interest subvention as at 11.1 above also includes cost of reduction of interest rate and uniform margin of 0.6% towards funds management charge and risk coverage costs to the NLEs.”How much can I claim?
Concessional loan up to 80% of project cost, at not less than 5% a year, with the government paying the lender up to 3% a year
We do not show this as “3% off your interest”: the up-to-3% also covers a 0.6% management margin for the lender (11.3), and it is paid only on the cost within the unit costs of Table-1 — any cost above that is yours (21.3). The order names marginal farmers, SCs, STs, women, entrepreneurs, SHGs, cooperatives and fish-farmer groups; for projects of entrepreneurs, individual farmers and cooperatives it also offers a credit guarantee from the Department of Animal Husbandry’s Infrastructure Development Fund (cl. 23).
Who can apply
- Cooperative
- FPO
- Self-help group
- SC farmer
- ST farmer
- Small or marginal farmer
- Woman farmer
- Agri entrepreneur
Papers you need
- Detailed Project Report or self-contained proposal (Annexure-I cl. 16).
- Proof that the land or water body is yours or on long lease, free of encroachment, and the statutory clearances (Annexure-I cl. 15).
- A certificate that the cost estimate follows the prevailing Schedule of Rates and market rates (Annexure-I cl. 22.1(d)).
How to apply
- Prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) costed on your state’s Schedule of Rates, with proof of land or a long lease and the statutory clearances (Annexure-I cl. 15, 16, 22).
- Cooperatives, SHGs and farmer groups send it through the state fisheries department; private entrepreneurs can send it directly to the Department of Fisheries and the National Fisheries Development Board, Hyderabad (Annexure-I cl. 17.1–17.4).
- After the Central Approval and Monitoring Committee approves the interest subvention, borrow from NABARD, NCDC (for cooperatives) or a scheduled bank; you put in at least 20% of the cost (Annexure-I cl. 18.2, 6, 10.1).
Applying is free. Never pay anyone to apply for you.
When to apply
The order allows loan sanctions for new projects until 31 March 2026 (Annexure-I cl. 13.1); no extension order was found.
Combining with other schemes
The documents do not say whether this can be combined with other schemes. Ask the implementing office before you count on both.