LEH, SEPT 18: The Fisheries Department, Leh, organised a day-long Training-cum-Awareness Programme on Aquaculture Insurance under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY) at the Conference Hall of the Chief Animal Husbandry Officer, Leh, on Friday.
The programme brought together progressive fish farmers from different parts of Leh district along with field and administrative staff of the Fisheries Department.
The initiative aimed to sensitise fish farmers about the importance of aquaculture insurance and the financial protection available against risks associated with fish farming, particularly in the challenging climatic conditions of Ladakh.
Mohd Iftiqar Hussain, Insurance Specialist, National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Hyderabad, delivered a detailed presentation on the provisions of aquaculture insurance under PM-MKSSY.
He explained the eligibility criteria, premium incentives, insurance coverage and benefits available to fish farmers under the scheme.
Representatives of the Agriculture Insurance Company also made a detailed presentation covering insurance coverage, premium structure, risk assessment, documentation, claim procedures and settlement mechanisms.
They also addressed practical concerns raised by farmers regarding insurance coverage for trout raceways and other aquaculture systems.
Speaking on the occasion, Assistant Director Fisheries, Leh, Murtaza Ali, highlighted the importance of aquaculture insurance in safeguarding the investments and livelihoods of fish farmers against unforeseen losses.
He urged eligible farmers to make maximum use of the scheme and stressed the need to expand insurance coverage to strengthen the resilience and sustainability of Ladakh’s fisheries sector.
During the programme, participants were informed that general-category fish farmers are eligible for a 40 per cent incentive on the insurance premium, while SC, ST and women beneficiaries are eligible for an additional 10 per cent incentive, taking the total support to 50 per cent.
Farmers were also sensitised about protection against eligible risks including floods, landslides, earthquakes, sudden temperature variations, water pollution, diseases and other unforeseen events that may affect aquaculture operations.
Hussain further conducted a live demonstration of the National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP), explaining the registration process and the procedure for accessing benefits under the scheme.
The programme concluded with an interactive session in which fish farmers raised queries related to insurance coverage, premium payment, documentation, risk assessment and claim settlement.
The queries were addressed by experts from NFDB and the Agriculture Insurance Company.
The Assistant Director Fisheries, Leh, in his concluding remarks, urged eligible fish farmers to register on the NFDP and avail themselves of the aquaculture insurance benefits to protect their investments and contribute towards the sustainable development of the fisheries sector in Ladakh.
