In a bid to support fish production in the country, the Animal and Fisheries Resources Department has launched the Mukhyamantri Samekit Chaur Vikas Yojana (MSCVY), a special scheme aimed at providing financial support to farmers for utilising their private land for aquaculture.

The Bihar government's MSCVY for the aquaculture sector under its "Seven Resolves-2" program aims to transform barren and underutilised land into productive assets by promoting fish farming and integrated aquaculture.

It is seen that often farmers leave barren land fallow due to its unsuitability for traditional agriculture.

This measure by the Bihar government seeks to address the farmers' issue by providing subsidies to farmers for constructing fish ponds on such land, thereby offering a new avenue for economic prosperity.

The primary objective of the aquaculture scheme is to develop the extensive private "chaur" (low-lying, waterlogged) lands across the state for fisheries-based integrated aquaculture that will not only encourages fish farming but also good for other ground-related sector like agriculture, horticulture, and agro-forestry.

The scheme outlines three distinct models for pond construction and land development, here's details:

According to the Animal and Fisheries Resources Department (fisheries division), the state government, beneficiaries will receive substantial grants for pond construction under the scheme. Farmers can avail up to 70 per cent subsidy for developing ponds on their barren land. Here is a summary of different cast and categories allocation:

According to the government, the total budget for the scheme is Rs 29.72 crore

Site selection is based on the highest flood level, ensuring no obstruction in the natural main drainage waterway. The height of the inlet-outlet and dam of the pond is determined accordingly, and the dam is strengthened.

To benefit from this scheme, candidates or famers must first have to do registration register. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Applicants for the Mukhyamantri Chaur Vikas Yojana will need to submit the following self-attested documents:

For Individual/Group Beneficiaries: Two passport-sized photographs, Aadhaar card, caste certificate, and a consent letter for group work (if applicable).
For Entrepreneur Beneficiaries: Registration certificate, audited financial statements for the past three years, Income Tax Returns (ITR), GST details, land ownership certificate, lease agreement, and proof of fisheries training and experience in fisheries-based entrepreneurship will be given priority.

Interested farmers and entrepreneurs can apply for the scheme online by visiting the official website: . The deadline for submitting applications is August 31, 2025.