Government Scheme

FIDF

Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund

Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying

Official Website

Total Outlay

₹7522.00 Cr

Subsidy

Up to 80% loan coverage; 3% interest subvention

Approval Timeline

4-8 months

About this Scheme

The Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) was established with a total fund size of Rs. 7,522 crore to address critical infrastructure gaps in the fisheries sector. The fund provides concessional finance for creation of fisheries infrastructure facilities including fishing harbours, cold chain, fish processing plants, and deep-sea fishing vessels. Nodal Lending Entities (NLEs) including NABARD, NCDC, and scheduled banks provide loans at concessional rates with 3% interest subvention from the Government of India.

Objectives

1Bridge the infrastructure gap in the fisheries sector across India
2Provide concessional institutional finance for fisheries infrastructure projects
3Develop and upgrade fishing harbours, landing centres, and fish markets
4Strengthen cold chain infrastructure from farm gate to consumer
5Support establishment of modern fish processing and value addition plants
6Enable acquisition of deep-sea fishing vessels for oceanic resources exploitation
7Facilitate development of aquaculture production infrastructure including hatcheries
8Enhance post-harvest management to reduce losses and improve fish quality

Eligibility Criteria

State Governments and Union Territory Administrations
State entities including State Fisheries Development Corporations, Cooperatives, and Federations
Central Government entities and organizations
Individual entrepreneurs with viable fisheries infrastructure project proposals
Private companies and firms engaged in fisheries sector
Fish Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs) and Fish Farmer Cooperatives
Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and Joint Liability Groups (JLGs) engaged in fisheries
Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Women entrepreneurs (eligible for enhanced terms)

Benefits

Loan coverage up to 80% of the project cost from Nodal Lending Entities
3% interest subvention on loans through the fund (effective rate ~6-7% vs normal 9-12%)
Long repayment period of up to 12 years with moratorium of up to 2 years
Fishing harbour and fish landing centre development with modern amenities
Cold chain infrastructure: ice plants, cold rooms, insulated vehicles, and reefer containers
Fish processing and value addition plant establishment with HACCP-compliant design
Deep-sea fishing vessel acquisition (beyond 18m OAL) for oceanic fisheries
Hatchery, seed bank, and broodstock facility development support
Fish feed plant and fish meal production unit financing
Disease diagnostic and water quality testing laboratory setup

Application Process

1Step 1: Prepare a detailed project report (DPR) with technical and financial feasibility for the proposed infrastructure
2Step 2: Submit the DPR to the concerned State Fisheries Department for initial assessment
3Step 3: State Fisheries Department evaluates the proposal and forwards eligible projects to the FIDF Steering Committee
4Step 4: FIDF Steering Committee at the Central level reviews and approves eligible proposals
5Step 5: Approved proposals are referred to Nodal Lending Entities (NABARD/NCDC/Scheduled Banks) for loan processing
6Step 6: NLE conducts due diligence, credit appraisal, and sanctions the loan
7Step 7: Loan disbursement in installments linked to project milestones and progress
8Step 8: GoI releases interest subvention directly to NLE; borrower pays concessional interest rate

Required Documents

Detailed Project Report (DPR) prepared by an empanelled consultant or recognized institution

Land ownership documents or registered long-term lease deed for the project site

Environmental clearance / CRZ clearance (for coastal infrastructure projects)

Consent to Establish and Operate from State Pollution Control Board

Financial statements and income tax returns (last 3 years for private entities)

Company / firm registration documents (MoA, AoA, partnership deed, etc.)

FFPO / Cooperative registration certificate (if applicable)

Technical drawings and layout plans for the proposed infrastructure

Quotations from equipment suppliers / civil contractors

Collateral documents as per NLE requirements

Key Features

Rs. 7,522 crore dedicated fund for fisheries infrastructure development

Concessional finance with only 3% interest subvention reducing borrowing cost significantly

Up to 80% loan coverage of total project cost from institutional lenders

Long repayment tenure of up to 12 years with 2-year moratorium

Covers the entire fisheries infrastructure spectrum from harbours to processing plants

Three Nodal Lending Entities: NABARD, NCDC, and all Scheduled Commercial Banks

Both public and private sector eligible for FIDF financing

Special focus on deep-sea fishing vessel acquisition to tap oceanic fisheries potential

State Contacts

State	Office	Phone
National	Department of Fisheries, Ministry of FAHD, New Delhi	011-23381994
NABARD	NABARD Head Office, Mumbai	022-26539895
NCDC	NCDC Head Office, New Delhi	011-26512130