4 Years of PMMSY: Transforming Fisheries sector of India

In the year 2020, the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) was introduced by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. It is also known as ‘Blue Revolution’ or ‘Nili Kranti’ by the citizens.

PMMSY has an yearly budget of over Rs. 6,000 crore, it aims to support micro and small businesses in the fishing industry through its Central Sector Sub-scheme, Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY). This program will invest Rs. 20,050 crore over five years (2020–21 to 2024–25) with a focus on inland fisheries and aquaculture.    

About Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)

In September 2024, this Scheme celebrated four years of completion. The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying held a ceremony to commemorate the milestone and unveiled other significant projects for the industry's growth and fishermen's welfare.

In celebration of the PMMSY’s fourth anniversary, Rajeev Ranjan Singh, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairy, launched a number of significant initiatives to revolutionize the fishing industry in India, these are some of the initiatives:

• Cluster Development of Fisheries: Three specialized clusters were formed, with an emphasis on seaweed cultivation, ornamental fisheries, and pearl production. SOPs for Production and Processing Clusters were announced.

• Guidelines for PM-MKSSY and the NFDP Portal: Introduced the PM-MKSSY operating rules and the National Fisheries Development Program (NFDP) Portal, which offers advantages including institutional loans and aquaculture insurance.

• Breeding & Research Centers: Announced plans to create Nucleus Breeding Centers (NBCs) for both coastal and inland species, as well as to designate the Mandapam Regional Centre as a Seaweed Farming Center of Excellence.

• Promotion of Indigenous Species: Pamphlets on the conservation and promotion of indigenous fish species have been released and 22 states and Union Territories have designated or adopted fish as their state fish. 

Beneficiaries of PMMSY

The following are the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana's designated beneficiaries:

• Fishermen and fish merchants.

• Corporations for the Development of Fisheries.

• Joint Liability Groups (JLGs) and Self Help Groups (SHGs) in the fishing industry Fisheries cooperatives.

• Federations of Fisheries.

• Business owners and private companies.

• Women, SCs, STs, FFPOs/Cs (Fisher Farmers Producer Organizations/Companies), and people with different abilities.

• State/UT governments and their organizations.

• Boards for the Development of State Fisheries (SFDB) Central Government and its agencies.

About 30 million people are employed in the fisheries industry, which also generates over 6.724% of India's agricultural GVA (Gross Value Added). India is the world's third-largest producer of fish, with 175.45 lakh tons produced in FY 2022–2023. That's why it’s important for our government to do development in this sector.