September is being seen as a good window for people in rural Haryana to start a business of their own, especially those who would rather build something on the side than depend only on a job. Anyone who owns farmland can dig a pond on that land and start fish farming. Those without land are not shut out either, since land can be taken on lease for 8 to 10 years and the same business can be set up on it. The central government's Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana is being used to bring farmers and young people into fish farming, and as part of that effort, the fisheries department in Ambala district is holding camps in villages to spread awareness about the scheme. The department says more than 50 farmers in the district take advantage of the scheme every year to start fish farming, a sign of the growing interest in the work.
How much subsidy on a one-hectare pond
According to Ambala fisheries officer Ruby, the scheme allows farmers to build a pond on one hectare of land, whether that land is their own or has been taken on an 8 to 10 year lease agreement. Setting up a pond on one hectare can cost up to around Rs 11 lakh as project cost. On this entire amount, the government gives a subsidy of 40 to 60 percent depending on the beneficiary's category. General category applicants get up to 40 percent of the project cost as subsidy, while women beneficiaries and those from Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe categories get subsidy of up to 60 percent. That means, depending on category, the beneficiary only has to arrange the remaining share of the Rs 11 lakh cost from their own pocket.
The scheme goes beyond the pond, subsidy on a vehicle too
Ruby says the fish farming business does not end with building the pond. The scheme also provides a subsidy for buying a four wheeler vehicle needed to load and transport fish from the pond to the market, and this subsidy can go up to Rs 2.25 lakh. That helps farmers with loading and unloading fish and getting them to the market on time. The business may start with a small pond, but over time it can grow into a full operation covering fish production, transport and supply to the market, opening up multiple income streams for the farmer at once.
How to apply and what documents are needed
Farmers interested in the scheme can apply online through the Haryana Saral Portal or the website of the Haryana fisheries department. Once the application is submitted, the department calls in the beneficiary and checks their information and documents. Only after this process is complete is the eligible applicant given the subsidy under the scheme. At the time of applying, documents such as an Aadhaar card, PAN card, bank passbook, land papers or lease agreement, and, where required, a caste certificate along with other documents may be asked for, so it helps to keep all these papers ready before applying.
