Joint Secretary, DoF to Inaugurate Workshop on 'Matsya Sampada Jagrukta Abhiyan' in Kochi

Sagar Mehra, Joint Secretary (Inland Fisheries and Administration), Department of Fisheries, is set to inaugurate the much-anticipated Workshop on Matsya Sampada Jagrukta Abhiyan (MSJA) on October 23, 2023. The event will take place at the National Institute of Fisheries Post Harvest Technology and Training (NIFPHATT) in Kochi, Kerala.

The workshop promises to be a comprehensive gathering of fisheries experts and stakeholders dedicated to fostering awareness and promoting the growth of the fisheries and aquaculture sector in India. The agenda for the workshop is replete with presentations and discussions by eminent experts in the field.

Joint Director (Central Zone) of the Department of Fisheries, S. Mahesh, will lead a presentation on the successful implementation of fisheries development schemes through the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) in the state of Kerala. M. Shaji, a retired Joint Director (Aquaculture) from the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) and consultant to the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), will address the audience on Aquaculture Technologies under the PMMSY scheme, focusing on the methods for its effective implementation.

Dr Zynudheen A.A, Head & Principal Scientist of the Quality Assurance and Management Division at the Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT) in Kochi, will present on the initiatives undertaken by CIFT in the realm of start-ups and entrepreneurship concerning PMMSY.  Kamalraj, a Processing Technologist at NIFPHATT, will discuss NIFPHATT's contributions to value addition and capacity building in alignment with PMMSY. Maja Jose, Deputy Director (Training) at the Department of Fisheries, Kerala, will lead an interactive session with stakeholders who will share their success stories related to the program.

The MSJA workshop aims to engage a diverse group of participants, including fishers, fishermen representatives, fish-farmers, entrepreneurs, fishermen cooperative society leaders, professionals, scientists, and other stakeholders, who will collaborate to drive the sector's growth and development. In the backdrop of the event, it is crucial to understand the significance of the fisheries and aquaculture sector in India. It plays a pivotal role in food production, nutrition security, employment generation, income generation, and foreign exchange earnings.

With over 2.8 crore individuals, including fishers and fish farmers, depending on this sector for their livelihood, it has become essential to address the challenges faced by this community. Over the last decade, the Department of Fisheries has been dedicated to resolving the issues and challenges encountered by fishers, fish farmers, and other stakeholders in the sector. To achieve this, the department has prioritized grassroot-level outreach activities to ensure the successful implementation of various schemes and initiatives.

Since the launch of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) in 2019-20, the Department has significantly increased its outreach efforts, reaching out to 2.71 crore stakeholders. These efforts include engaging with 70.22 lakh fishermen, fish farmers, and stakeholders through Sagar Parikrama, 137.63 lakh stakeholders through fish festivals, expos, campaigns, and publicity events, and 50.29 lakh stakeholders through social media platforms, among other initiatives. However, there is still a gap in information and awareness among farmers about the government's welfare schemes, leading to low participation in various fisheries activities under PMMSY and low uptake of the Kisan Credit Card (KCC).

To bridge these gaps and ensure a sustained and extensive outreach across the nation, the Department has designed a strategic initiative called "Matsya Sampada Jagrukta Abhiyan" scheduled to run from September 2023 to February 2024.

The primary objectives of the campaign are as follows:

1. To disseminate information and knowledge about the Department of Fisheries' nine years of achievements and success stories.

2. To reach out to 2.8 crore fish farmers (1.23 crore females and 1.56 crore males), especially those in 3,477 coastal villages, along with fishers, fish workers, self-help groups (SHGs), joint liability groups (JLGs), fisherfolk producer organizations (FFPOs), cooperatives, federations, mandals, and local fisheries societies.

By reaching a broad audience of fish farmers and other fisheries stakeholders, this initiative intends to promote the adoption of advanced practices, leading to increased efficiency and profitability in the sector.

Moreover, the outreach program will play a significant role in promoting responsible fisheries management, sustainable aquaculture, and the overall well-being of the communities that depend on this crucial sector. As the Matsya Sampada Jagrukta Abhiyan commences, it holds the promise of unlocking the sector's full potential, thus contributing to India's economic growth and food security.