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Fish production in Sitamarhi reached 20.30 TMT, but due to technical constraints of KCC, only a few fishermen out of 5300 have been able to get loans, due to which the economic crisis continues.
Sitamarhi district is moving rapidly towards blue revolution. This year, the target of fish production in the district was set at 22.06 TMT, against which 20.30 TMT production has been recorded so far. A total of 4105 ponds in the district and the hard work of more than 1.5 lakh fishermen have made Sitamarhi almost self-sufficient in fish production. This district, which was once dependent on Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal, has today developed the capacity for fish production as well as export. Despite this, the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) facility, which is very important for fishermen, has been hanging in the balance for years.
There are about 5300 registered fishermen in the district, while 35,702 fishermen are associated with the co-operative society. Despite the large number, the availability of KCC is very worrying. In the year 2022–23, 774 applications were received, but only 12 fishermen were approved for KCC. Next year 2023–24, 6 applications were submitted, but not a single one was approved. Similarly, 23 applications were received in 2024–25, but all were rejected. So far, 7 applications have been received in the current financial year 2025–26, but none of them has been approved. This situation, which has continued for four consecutive years, has seriously hindered the economic progress of fishermen.
Why is the loan being rejected?
The stand of the banks is that most of the applications are being rejected due to technical reasons related to lease and ownership of the pond. According to leading bank manager Anil Kumar, KCC is being given to fishermen who have ownership proof of their own pond, but the applications of those who take fish farming on lease often do not meet the standards. At the same time, District Fisheries Officer Subhash Chandra Yadav says that fishermen are getting the benefits of government schemes, but due to technical hurdles at the banking level, fishermen are deprived of the benefits of KCC. This matter is completely related to the banking process.
The suffering of fishermen is different from this. Shyam Babu Ram of Parsauni says that he had applied for KCC in 2023, but the bank rejected the application due to lack of consent of the pond owner. He says that most of the pond owners are not ready to participate in any kind of legal process related to the loan. Similarly, beggar Sahni says that he takes a pond on lease and does fish farming and meets the expenses by borrowing from the moneylender, because the bank refuses to give KCC. Madan Sahni of Punouradham says that huge expenditure is incurred on boat, net and bait, but due to government ponds, his application is being rejected for the last two years.
These facilities will make it easier
In such a situation, despite the increase in fish production capacity of the district, the economic security of the fishermen is at stake. If KCC facility becomes available, fishermen can free themselves from the clutches of moneylenders and get loans at low interest, which will reduce production costs and increase income. Experts are of the opinion that the process of KCC should be simplified for lease holders and instead of mandatory consent of the pond owner, there should be an alternative certification system. Only then will Sitamarhi become truly self-reliant in fish production as well as in economic empowerment of fishermen.
