Government releases ₹462.22 crore central assistance to Kerala under PMMSY as fisher welfare, aquaculture, coastal village and seafood infrastructure programmes expand

Key Highlights

• ₹1,413.91 crore worth of fisheries development proposals approved for Kerala under PMMSY.
• ₹462.22 crore in central assistance released, with ₹451.81 crore reported as utilised.
• Around 7,561 beneficiaries in Vadakara have benefited from PMMSY-supported activities.
• 13 FIDF projects approved in Kerala with a combined project cost of ₹551.72 crore.
• More than 2.52 lakh Kerala stakeholders registered on the National Fisheries Digital Platform.
• Kerala has received approval for 9 Integrated Modern Coastal Fishing Villages and 6 Climate Resilient Coastal Fishing Villages.
• 18,908 Kisan Credit Cards have been sanctioned to fisheries beneficiaries in Kerala.

Kerala Expands Fisher Welfare and Fisheries Development

Kerala’s fisheries sector is receiving increased government support through a combination of financial assistance, livelihood programmes, aquaculture initiatives and coastal infrastructure development, with ₹1,413.91 crore in fisheries development proposals approved under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).

The information was provided by Union Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh in the Lok Sabha.

Of the approved project value, the Centre’s share stands at ₹598.58 crore, of which ₹462.22 crore has been released. The Kerala government has reported utilisation of ₹451.81 crore against the released assistance.

The approvals cover the last five years and the current financial year, 2026–27.

Vadakara Gets Support for Fisher Livelihoods

A range of PMMSY activities are being implemented in Vadakara, covering traditional fishing as well as aquaculture and fish marketing.

These include:

• Livelihood support during fishing ban periods
• Boats and fishing nets for traditional fishermen
• Biofloc fish farming
• Recirculatory Aquaculture Systems (RAS)
• Backyard ornamental fish units
• Brackish-water cage farming
• Fish kiosks
• Three-wheelers with ice boxes
• Motorcycles with ice boxes
• Sagar Mitra services

Around 7,561 beneficiaries in Vadakara have benefited from these interventions, according to information provided by the Kerala government.

Three primary societies in Vadakara have also been selected for formation as Fish Farmers Producer Organisations (FFPOs) under PMMSY, potentially strengthening collective production, marketing and access to fisheries value chains.

₹551.72 Crore FIDF Projects Approved in Kerala

Under the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), the Centre has approved 13 projects in Kerala with a total project cost of ₹551.72 crore.

The approvals include a ₹35.97-crore Integrated Fisheries Development Project of MATSYAFED, being implemented across Kerala, including Kozhikode district.

The project provides financial assistance to fishermen for purchasing outboard motors, fishing nets and other fishing accessories, with the objective of improving livelihoods and socio-economic conditions.

No specific FIDF proposal for Vadakara has been received by the Department of Fisheries, while no proposal has been received from Kerala for fisheries infrastructure, fishing harbours or fish landing centres specifically in Vadakara.

Fisheries Sector Moves Towards Digital Formalisation

The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY) is supporting formalisation of the fisheries and aquaculture sector through the National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP).

As of the latest data, around 35.92 lakh fishers, fish farmers and other fisheries stakeholders have registered on the NFDP.

Kerala accounts for 2,52,301 registrations, including 5,032 stakeholders from Vadakara.

The platform creates a work-based digital identity and database for fisheries-sector stakeholders, potentially improving access to government schemes, financial services and formal sector opportunities.

Coastal Villages and Fisher Safety Get Greater Focus

Under PMMSY, Kerala has received approvals for several livelihood, safety and resource-enhancement interventions.

These include:

• 1,71,033 beneficiaries receiving livelihood support during fishing ban periods
• 200 units of boats and fishing nets
• 9 Integrated Modern Coastal Fishing Villages
• 6 Climate Resilient Coastal Fishing Villages
• 20 deep-sea fishing vessels
• 1,140 bivalve cultivation units
• 468 fish transportation units
• 42 artificial reef installations
• 10 Matsya Seva Kendras
• 222 Sagar Mitras

The government has also sanctioned 18,908 Kisan Credit Cards to fisheries beneficiaries in Kerala.

These measures are aimed at improving fisher incomes, strengthening safety and creating alternative and supplementary livelihood opportunities.

Outreach Programmes Expand Awareness

The National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), along with the Kerala government, has conducted outreach programmes at Ponnani in Malappuram, including participation from fishers from Vadakara.

The programmes are intended to improve awareness of central government fisheries schemes and available support.

Impact on Hospitality, Seafood and Coastal Tourism

The scale-up of fisheries support in Kerala could have a direct impact on the State’s hospitality, seafood and coastal tourism ecosystem.

For hotels and restaurants: Better fishing equipment, transportation and cold-chain-linked assets can help improve the availability and movement of fresh seafood for hospitality businesses.

For Kerala’s seafood cuisine: Support for bivalve cultivation, deep-sea fishing and fish transportation could strengthen the supply of locally sourced seafood, supporting restaurants and destination dining.

For coastal tourism: Integrated and climate-resilient coastal fishing villages could create opportunities for community-led tourism, fishing experiences, local food trails and cultural tourism.

For rural and community tourism: Alternative livelihoods such as ornamental fish farming, aquaculture and bivalve cultivation can complement traditional fishing communities and potentially create new visitor experiences.

For destination sustainability: Climate-resilient coastal villages and artificial reef projects could contribute to stronger coastal ecosystems while supporting the long-term sustainability of fishing and tourism-dependent communities.

Bottom Line

Kerala’s fisheries development programme is increasingly moving beyond traditional fishing support towards a broader coastal livelihood and value-chain model. With ₹1,413.91 crore in PMMSY-approved projects, expanded aquaculture, coastal village development, digital formalisation and fisher credit, the measures could strengthen both Kerala’s seafood economy and its coastal hospitality and tourism potential.