The Maharashtra government is finalising a policy to grant “farmer” status to 12 lakh fishermen across the state. The policy awaits approval from the finance department and the chief minister’s office (CMO) before being tabled for final cabinet approval, likely within the next week.

Once approved, this policy will benefit both inland and marine fishermen, making Maharashtra the first state in India to implement such a plan. Although Andhra Pradesh had worked on a similar proposal, it never received final approval.

The initiative recognises that both agriculture and fishing are nature-dependent professions. While farmers have access to numerous welfare schemes, fishermen have been excluded from such benefits. Granting them “farmer” status will enable them to access government schemes available to the agricultural sector.

Minister Nitesh Rane had announced the plan during the last budget session, with support from then-deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.

The key benefit of this policy is that fishermen can secure bank loans to upgrade their boats from wooden to fibre or electric models, reducing reliance on private lenders. The government expects to spend Rs 70 to Rs 80 crore annually on this initiative.

Fishermen will also be eligible for government insurance and compensation during natural disasters, similar to what farmers receive. Additionally, the fisheries department plans to promote seaweed cultivation to provide an alternative income during the monsoon when marine fishing is restricted. There’s also a focus on increasing inland fishing production, with meetings underway to develop a strategy for growth.

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