Principal Secretary of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources, Y Kikheto Sema, IAS, called for urgent policy revisions in fisheries funding and infrastructure for Nagaland during the Fisheries Secretaries Conference 2025 and the National Workshop on Harnessing Technology and Innovation in Aquaculture, held in New Delhi on May 23.
Raising region-specific concerns to be addressed in the upcoming Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) guidelines, Kikheto said the current funding norm of Rs 8.40 lakh per hectare under PMMSY is outdated and inadequate, compared to the latest NPWD Schedule of Rates pegged at Rs 25 lakh per hectare.
He highlighted the North East’s vulnerability to natural disasters such as floods and landslides, and advocated for the reintroduction of renovation and reclamation provisions for old ponds and water bodies—components that existed in earlier schemes but are absent from the current PMMSY.
Kikheto also proposed an integrated cluster approach for agricultural and allied sectors to improve rural productivity, marketability, and promote Agro-Aqua-Eco-Tourism.
Another key demand was the inclusion of administrative and contingency costs, which are standard in other central flagship schemes but missing from PMMSY, affecting implementation and monitoring.
A major hurdle, according to Kikheto, is the 60:40 funding ratio (Centre:State), which makes it difficult for small and marginal fish farmers to afford their share. He proposed a more feasible 90:10 or 80:20 model, in line with other central schemes for the North East and hilly states.
Citing the poor condition of fish markets in Nagaland, he also requested the establishment of a modern, hygienic fish market in Dimapur.
Kikheto also appealed to the Centre to direct banks and financial institutions to actively support farmers, entrepreneurs, and cooperatives under PMMSY, noting hesitation from banks to finance fishery-based initiatives.
In response, Dr Abhilash Likhi, IAS, Union Secretary for Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, assured that the concerns raised by Nagaland would be considered during the formulation of the revised PMMSY guidelines.
Kikheto was accompanied by Neitho-o Kuotsu, Joint Director, Fisheries & Aquatic Resources, Nagaland.
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