Kerala Budget 2026-27: fisheries sector secures ₹239-crore outlay

Finance Minister KN Balagopal announced a total expenditure of ₹239.12 crore for the fisheries sector in the State Budget 2026-27. Allocation is strategically distributed among key institutions; The fisheries department gets ₹166.31 crore, the Port Engineering department gets ₹35.31 crore and the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) gets ₹37.50 crore.

The budget outlines a three-pronged strategy focusing on fishermen’s safety and social security, coastal rehabilitation and expansion of inland fisheries. To improve maritime safety, the government has allocated ₹2.50 crore for maritime ambulances and increased expenditure on maritime safety and rescue operations to ₹3 crore. Additionally, a ₹10 crore group insurance scheme has been introduced to cover all fishermen across the State.

Coastal development remains a high priority with an allocation of ₹183.98 crore, marking an increase of ₹7 crore over the previous year. This fund includes ₹143.20 crore for development of basic infrastructure and human resources in coastal areas. Funding for the ‘Punargeham’ project, which focuses on rehabilitation of families affected by sea erosion, has been increased to ₹64.20 crore. Additionally, ₹69 crore has been specifically allocated for the ‘Infrastructure and Human Resources Development of Coastal Region’ project.

The budget also attaches great importance to aquaculture and the Blue Economy policy. The aquaculture development plan saw its allocation increased to ₹70 crore to increase production and supported by ₹7.11 crore for extension services. Other notable allocations include ₹20 crore for modernization of fishing ports and construction of sea bridges and roads and ₹12.30 crore for maintenance and desilting of existing fishing ports. Integrated fisheries management and savings plus assistance programs under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana also received a significant boost with a total allocation of ₹30 crore.