Maharashtra is seeking to strengthen the role of District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs) in financing the fisheries sector, following the grant of agriculture status to fisheries, which is expected to facilitate easier credit access for fishermen.
The initiative was discussed at a one-day workshop on fisheries development schemes for cooperative banks in the Konkan region, organised at the Sindhudurg DCCB headquarters.
Inaugurating the workshop, Fisheries Minister Nitesh Rane said fishermen would now be able to access loans more easily through district cooperative banks, helping them become financially self-reliant.
He revealed that NABARD has made a provision of Rs 1,000 crore for the fisheries sector. Maharashtra aims to increase its fisheries business from Rs 1,240 crore to Rs 5,000 crore by 2029.
Sindhudurg DCCB Chairman Manish Dalvi stressed the need for low-interest loans to fisheries cooperative societies and wider Kisan Credit Card coverage to break private traders’ monopoly.
Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank Administrator Vidyadhar Anaskar and NABARD CGM Dr A.V. Bhavani Shankar also addressed participants.
