Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana: A Catalyst for India's Fisheries Sector

The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) has emerged as a game-changer, steering India's fisheries sector towards unprecedented growth and sustainability. Launched in May 2020, this flagship scheme aims to address critical gaps in fish production, post-harvest infrastructure, traceability, and overall fisher welfare. While PMMSY marks the highest-ever investment of Rs. 20,050 crores in the fisheries and aquaculture sector, over the years, PMMSY has evolved and expanded to ensure holistic and inclusive development of the fisheries and aquaculture sector.

To focus on sustainable fishing, infrastructure improvement, and climate-smart livelihoods, guidelines have been released for developing 100 coastal villages across coastal States and Union Territories into Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages (CRCFVs). With an allocation of Rs. 200 crore, this initiative will ensure food security and socio-economic stability for fishing communities amid changing environmental conditions.

In a step towards injecting technology in fisheries, a Pilot Project on the Use of Drone Technology for fish transportation to be done by Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI) has been unveiled. It aims to explore the potential of drones in monitoring and managing inland fisheries, improving efficiency and sustainability, it is officially learnt.

Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying Rajeev Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh launched these initiatives and projects aimed at transforming the fisheries sector and strengthening India’s blue economy at the 4th Anniversary of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojna in New Delhi. The National Fisheries Development Program (NFDP) Portal will serve as a central hub for registry of fisheries’ stakeholders, information, services, and support related to fisheries. It will also carry the PM-MKSSY Operational Guidelines.

The NFDP has been created under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY), a sub-scheme under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and will provide digital identities to various stakeholders by creating a registry of fish workers and enterprises engaged in the fisheries value chain across the country. Various benefits such as institutional credit, performance grants, aquaculture insurance etc. can be availed through NFDP.

Union Minister also released the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on Production and Processing Clusters under the Fisheries Cluster Development Program and announced the establishment of three specialized fisheries production and processing clusters dedicated to Pearl cultivation, Ornamental fisheries and Seaweed cultivation. These clusters aim to promote collectivisation, collaboration and innovation within these niche sectors, enhancing both production and market reach.

Notifications were released for establishing a Mandapam Regional Centre of the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI) as a Centre of Excellence for promoting seaweed farming and research. It will serve as a national hub for innovation and development in seaweed cultivation, focusing on refining farming techniques, establishing a seed bank, and ensuring sustainable practices. In addition, setting up Nucleus Breeding Centres for both marine and inland species was also unveiled for enhancing seed quality through genetic enhancement of economically important species, according to an official release.

Department of Fisheries, GoI, has designated the ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIFA), Bhubaneswar, Odisha, as the Nodal Institute for establishing NBCs for freshwater species and Regional Centre of ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI) in Mandapam, Tamil Nadu, as the Nodal Institute for NBCs focused on marine fish species.

Establishment of three Incubation Centres for promoting at least 100 fisheries start-ups, cooperatives, FPOs, and SHGs was also notified. The centres will be hosted at premier institutions like the National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE) in Hyderabad, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE) in Mumbai, and ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT) in Kochi.

The Union Minister released the Booklet on ‘Promotion of Indigenous Species’ and ‘Conservation of State Fish’. Out of the 36 States/UTs, 22 have either adopted or declared their state fish, three have declared State aquatic animal and UTs of Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar Islands have declared their state animal, which are marine species.

Priority Projects with an outlay of Rs. 721.63 crore were announced that included development of five Integrated Aqua parks in states of Assam, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Tripura and Nagaland to support holistic aquaculture growth, establishment of two World-Class Fish Markets in states of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam for enhancing market access, development of three Smart and Integrated Fishing Harbors in States/UTs of Gujarat, Puducherry and Daman & Diu for improving post-harvest management, and 800 hectares of saline area and Integrated Fish Farming in States Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Punjab for promoting aquaculture and integrated fish farming.

Addressing the gathering, the minister emphasized on transformative impact of the PMMSY scheme, which is the highest-ever investment in India's fisheries sector. He highlighted that results achieved in the fisheries sector till now are a result of earlier infrastructure developments hence we need to move ahead to achieve targets of Viksit Bharat @2047.

He said that for the development and socio-economic welfare of three crore fisheries’ stakeholders, various initiatives such as Group Accident Insurance Scheme (GAIS), and transponders on fishing vessels for Vessel Communication & Support System, NFDP for formalisation of the sector and equitable growth in the sector, enhancing value addition for exports etc. have been undertaken by the Department.

Vessel Communication & Support System is a milestone in the fisheries sector to ensure safety and security of the fishermen. One lakh transponders with an outlay of Rs 364 crore will be installed free of cost on fishing vessels to enable them for two-way communication, providing information on potential fishing zones for saving efforts and resources and also will alert the fishers during any emergency and cyclones. This technology will keep the fishermen with their families and department fisheries officials and security agencies while at sea.

The event showcased the Government's commitment to strengthening the fisheries sector and resulting into enhancement of livelihood opportunities and sustainable growth aligned with the vision of "Viksit Bharat 2047".