Up to 70% subsidy will be given to promote fish farming in ponds

Patna, Sep 27:(ABN) Applications are invited under the Chief Minister's Pond Fisheries Development Scheme for the financial year 2026-27, with the objective of promoting pond based fisheries in the state and promoting self-reliance in fish production and jaggery production.
This scheme will be implemented in all the districts of the state. Under this scheme, grant will be provided to fish farmers for improved production of cumin seeds, installation of tubewells and pump sets and mechanical aerators in ponds. Unit cost for improved production of fish seeds (cumin seeds) under the scheme is Rs 1 lakh per 0.5 acre. The unit cost of installation of tube well and pump set is Rs.1.20 lakh, and the unit cost of mechanical aerators for pond fishing is fixed at Rs.50 thousand.
Beneficiaries of these components will get 50% subsidy of the assessed cost, while beneficiaries belonging to the most backward classes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes will get 70% subsidy. The objective of the scheme is to promote various sectors of fish production by properly utilizing the pond water resources of the state.
Online application for this scheme can be made on the Fisheries Department website at fisheries.bihar.gov.in. The beneficiary's mobile number, bank branch name, bank account number, and IFSC code must be entered along with the application. Attested copy of their Aadhaar Card, Ration Card, Voter ID Card, or Land Map should be attached. Caste certificate must be attached for SC, ST and SC beneficiaries. Bihar has not only become self-sufficient in fish production but is also moving rapidly towards export.
According to the data received from various districts of the state, 39.07 thousand tonnes of fish were exported from the state in 2025-26, including major cities like Nepal, Siliguri, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Deoria, Captainganj, Ranchi and Gowda.