MMKY - Promotion of Intensive Aquaculture through Bio-floc Technology by WSHGs

The scheme “MMKY – Promotion of Intensive Aquaculture through Bio-floc Technology by WSHGs” was launched by the Fisheries & Animal Resources Development Department, Government of Odisha. It aims to promote sustainable intensification of freshwater fish and brackish water shrimp farming by enhancing productivity and generating higher income through intensive aquaculture practices using Bio-floc technology. Through this scheme, financial assistance in the form of capital and operational cost subsidy is provided to Women Self Help Groups and SHG Federations for the establishment of Bio-floc fish or shrimp farming units. The scheme is implemented by the Directorate of Fisheries, Odisha, through District Fisheries Officers and field functionaries. Bio-floc technology utilizes beneficial microbes to convert waste into protein-rich biomass, improve feed conversion ratio, and reduce water exchange. The scheme supports small area intensive farming, efficient land and water use, and controlled aquaculture systems. The assistance covers the construction of Bio-floc tanks, aeration systems, electrical installations, feed, seed, and operational inputs as per prescribed unit models.

Objectives

1. To promote high-yielding intensive fish farming in small areas using Bio-floc technology.
2. To encourage Women Self-Help Groups for income generation through a small-scale Bio-floc farming system.

1. Bio-floc technology is an eco-friendly aquaculture system that reduces negative environmental impact through the recycling of organic waste into microbial protein biomass.

2. The system improves water and land use efficiency, enabling intensive aquaculture in limited space.

3. Bio-floc farming can be taken up in urban, peri-urban, and rural areas due to its compact and controlled nature.

4. It operates as a limited or zero water exchange system, thereby preventing water pollution and reducing the risk of the spread of pathogens outside the farming unit.

5. The system supports higher fish and shrimp productivity with reduced feed utilisation, resulting in increased profit margins for farmers.

6. Financial Assistance:

   1. The scheme provides back-ended financial assistance at 60% of the approved unit cost for the establishment of Bio-floc fish or shrimp farming units.
   2. The subsidy covers capital cost and operational cost per crop, strictly as per approved Bio-floc unit models constructed using brick masonry tanks.
   3. Assistance is admissible for a minimum of 2 tanks and a maximum of 6 tanks per Women Self Help Group, including tanks installed earlier under other schemes, subject to the overall ceiling.
   4. Approved Bio-floc Unit Models and Subsidy
   5. Type-1 Model:
   • Bio-floc unit with 30 cubic meters capacity
   • 2 tanks (or one tank of equivalent capacity)
   • Total unit cost: ₹2,00,000/-
   • Subsidy @60%: ₹1,20,000/-
   1. Type-2 Model:
   • Bio-floc unit with 60 cubic meters capacity
   • 4 tanks
   • Total unit cost: ₹4,00,000/-
   • Subsidy @60%: ₹2,40,000/-
   1. Type-3 Model:
   • Bio-floc unit with 90 cubic meters capacity
   • 6 tanks
   • Total unit cost: ₹6,00,000/-
   • Subsidy @60%: ₹3,60,000/-
   1. Financial assistance is limited to the prescribed amounts, even if higher-dimension tanks or higher-specification RCC structures are constructed by the WSHG.
   2. More detailed information about each Table - 1,2 & 3 is available in the guidelines pdf.

7. Eligible Components Covered Under Subsidy- The subsidy is admissible on actual expenditure supported by GST bills (wherever applicable) for the following components included in the approved unit cost:
   - Brick masonry Bio-floc tanks with a solid base, a drain pipe, and a fish net covering
   - Shed structure with shade net
   - Water pumps and aeration systems (ring blower/root blower)
   - Power backup systems, such as an inverter, battery, or portable genset
   - Fish or shrimp seed/fingerlings
   - Formulated feed
   - Water management inputs, including probiotics and aeration
   - Miscellaneous operational inputs per crop

Disbursement of Funds:

1. Subsidy is released through Direct Benefit Transfer / National Electronic Funds Transfer / Real Time Gross Settlement to the bank account of the Women Self Help Group.
2. Subsidy is released in two phases:

- 60% of the subsidy is released in the 1st phase after completion and verification.
- 40% of the subsidy is released in the 2nd phase after further inspection and utilization certification.

1. The applicant must be a WSHG based in the state of Odisha.
2. The applicant must be a Women Self Help Group (WSHG) interested in taking up Bio-floc-based pisciculture, including grow-out tanks, nursery tanks, or seed tanks.
3. The applicant must undergo specialized training on Bio-floc systems before operating the unit.
4. The applicant must have suitable land belonging to any member of the WSHG, selected through a resolution of the same WSHG.
5. The applicant must have a lease agreement sworn before the Executive Magistrate for a minimum period of 3 years, if the land is not owned.
6. The applicant must belong to the same Gram Panchayat where the activity is proposed.
7. The applicant must have completed 2 years from the date of formation of the WSHG.
8. The applicant must have an active bank account.
9. The applicant must not be a bank loan defaulter.
10. The applicant must have undertaken regular and systematic bookkeeping, including the maintenance of a meeting register, cash book, and an updated passbook.
11. The applicant WSHG, operating brackish water shrimp farms with a Coastal Aquaculture Authority license, is eligible.
12. The applicant WSHG having nursery, seed tanks, or hatchery units is eligible under the scheme.
13. The applicant must establish Bio-floc systems inside a shed with brick masonry tanks, including water supply, drainage, and aeration units.
14. The applicant must install a minimum of 2 tanks and a maximum of 6 tanks under the scheme.
15. The applicant who has availed a subsidy earlier for Bio-floc units under any Government of India or State Government scheme is also eligible, provided the total number of tanks, including earlier installations, does not exceed 6 tanks.

Preference / Priority

1. Preference is given to WSHGs trained at Krishi Vigyan Kendras or by the Fisheries & Animal Resources Development Department on Bio-floc technology.
2. Preference is given to WSHGs allotted Gram Panchayat tanks that are not covered under Bio-floc schemes earlier.

Offline

Step 1: The District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO) invites Expression of Interest (EoI) from Women Self Help Groups based on block-wise targets, through publication on the departmental website, newspapers, and display at District and Block Fisheries Offices, Child Development Project Offices, Block Development Offices, Anganwadi Centres, and Block Level Federations.
Step 2: Interested Women Self Help Groups submit the Expression of Interest in the prescribed format to the concerned Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) within 15 days of publication, using the application format and checklist prescribed in Annexure I.
Step 3: The received Expressions of Interest are communicated to the District Fisheries Officer (DFO), and the Block Level Selection Committee (BLSC) scrutinizes and evaluates the applications based on the SHG Selection Criteria, block-wise targets, and eligibility conditions, following the scrutiny and selection format prescribed in Annexure II.
Step 4: The Block Level Inspection Team (BLIT) conducts joint field verification of the proposed sites of shortlisted SHGs, takes geo-tagged photographs, and prepares a field feasibility and inspection report in the prescribed format given in Annexure III, which is submitted to the Convener of the Block Level Selection Committee.
Step 5: Based on the feasibility report submitted in Annexure III, the Block Level Selection Committee finalizes the list of eligible SHGs, and the District Fisheries Officer issues the Go-Ahead Letter to the selected SHGs in the format prescribed in Annexure IV, with copies shared with the District Social Welfare Officer, CDO-cum-Executive Officer, Zilla Parishad, Collector of the district, and financing bank wherever applicable.
Step 6: After receipt of the Go-Ahead Letter (Annexure IV), the Women Self Help Group constructs or develops the Bio-floc unit as per the approved design and specifications, under the direct supervision and guidance of block-level fisheries officials.
Step 7: On completion of the Bio-floc unit, the Block Level Inspection Team conducts post-installation inspection within 2 weeks, takes geo-tagged photographs, and the Assistant Fisheries Officer submits the completion report along with utilization details in the format prescribed in Annexure V to the District Fisheries Officer for subsidy processing.
Step 8: After verification of the completion report (Annexure V), utilization certificate, certified bills, and inspection reports, the District Fisheries Officer releases the subsidy to the WSHG bank account through DBT / NEFT / RTGS, as back-ended assistance in two phases (60% in the 1st phase and 40% in the 2nd phase). Progress and implementation details are thereafter reported through the Decision Support System using the format prescribed in Annexure VI.

Note:

• Annexure I – Format of Expression of Interest, Application Form, and Checklist to be submitted by WSHGs at the application stage.
• Annexure II – Format for scrutiny and selection by the Block Level Selection Committee.
• Annexure III – Format for field feasibility and inspection report submitted by the Block Level Inspection Team.
• Annexure IV – Format of the Go-Ahead Letter issued by the District Fisheries Officer.
• Annexure V – Format of the Completion Report submitted for the release of subsidy.
• Annexure VI – Format of the Monthly Progress Report to be submitted through the Decision Support System.
• All Annexures are in the guidelines pdf.
  

1. Filled-in Application Form / Expression of Interest (as per prescribed format)

   1. Resolution of the Women Self-Help Group approving the Bio-floc project
   2. Aadhaar Card Copies of WSHG Members
   3. Proof of Land Ownership - Record of Rights (RoR) of any WSHG member
   4. Lease Agreement (if land is leased)
   • Sworn before the Executive Magistrate
   • Minimum lease period of 3 years
   1. Sketch Map of the Proposed Site (certified by Revenue Authority)
   2. First Page Copy of WSHG Bank Passbook
   3. Self-Declaration by WSHG regarding project expenditure
   4. Utilisation Certificate (after completion of the unit)
   5. Bills / Vouchers for Project Expenditure - GST bills, wherever applicable
   6. Geo-tagged Photographs of the Bio-floc Unit - Before installation and after completion (with WSHG members and asset visible)

1. WSHGs exceeding the maximum limit of 6 Bio-floc tanks (including earlier installations) are not eligible for additional subsidy.