Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MAFW)

Category:

Government
National Government

Focus:

Governance
Social

Location:

National

Organization Description:

The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is a branch of the Government of India and the apex body for the formulation and administration of rules, regulations, and laws relating to agriculture, horticulture, and farmer welfare. Through its departments, the Ministry runs crop insurance schemes (PMFBY), cooperation programs, extension services, market reforms (eNAM), and agricultural credit policies. It coordinates with state governments and allied ministries on food security, rural livelihoods, and climate-resilient agriculture across India’s diverse agro-ecological regions.

Role in Indian Shrimp Aquaculture: Although fisheries and aquaculture now sit under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, MAFW remains highly relevant for Indian shrimp through its oversight of agricultural credit, crop insurance, ICAR, cooperative programs, and land and water policies that shape coastal agriculture. Many shrimp farmers are smallholder agriculturists who also grow paddy or coconut, and MAFW-backed institutions such as AIC and NABARD shape financing and risk tools used in shrimp farming and allied rural economies.

Website: agriwelfare.gov.in