The Department of Fisheries intends to speed up the pace of implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) as it enters its fourth year of operation.

The Department of Fisheries, which is a part of the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairy, created the "Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)" programme to expand India's fisheries industry in a way that is ecologically sound, commercially viable, and socially inclusive.

About Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana

It is a flagship programme for the country's fisheries industry, with a projected investment of 20,050 crore for its implementation from 2020–2021 to 2024–2025 as part of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat package.

Through the responsible and sustainable development of India's fisheries industry, PMMSY will bring about the Blue Revolution.

A new sub-scheme under the PMMSY has been announced in the Union Budget for 2023–24, with an investment of Rs. 6,000 crore, to support the operations of fish vendors, fishermen, and micro and small businesses for enhancing value chain efficiencies and growing the market.

Fishermen are given insurance protection, financial aid, and the option of a Kisan Credit Card (KCC) in order to make access to institutional credit easier.

Objective of the PMMSY

1. Make use of the fishing industry's potential in a way that is equitable, accountable, inclusive, and sustainable.

2. Increase fish output and productivity through increasing land and water use, as well as their intensity, variety, and productive use.

3. Improve quality and modernise all aspects of the value chain, including post-harvest management.

4. Increase the incomes of fishermen and fish growers by twofold and create worthwhile jobs.

5. Increase the fisheries sector's contribution to agricultural GVA and exports.

6. Make sure that fishers and fish farmers have economic, physical, and social security.

7. Establish a strong regulatory and management framework for fisheries.

Potential benefit of the scheme

Financial support for the development of fishing infrastructure: The programme offers financial support for the construction of fishing harbours, fish landing stations, fish markets, fish feed factories, fish seed farms, and fish processing facilities.

Credit-linked subsidy for fish farmers: To encourage fish farmers to start fish farming as a company, the programme offers a credit-linked incentive for them.

Support for fish product marketing and export: The programme offers help for the establishment of cold chains, fish processing facilities, and packaging facilities to support the export of fish products.

For a sizable percentage of the economically underprivileged people of the nation, it represents a significant source of income.

Integrating fish farming and diversifying fish production are crucial for improving fish output.

Implementation body

It is carried out as an umbrella system with two distinct parts, namely

the Central Sector system:

The Central government is responsible for covering the project's costs. The Government of India (GoI) will provide 100% of the project's or unit's funding.

Centrally Sponsored Scheme:

The States/UTs will carry out each sub-component and activity, and the Centre and States will split the costs.

90% of the region is in the Central States, and 10% is in the North Eastern and Himalayan States.

40% of other States are state-owned, and 60% are centralised.

In order to plan and implement PMMSY effectively, a well-structured framework would be established.

In order to achieve the best results, a "Cluster or area-based approach" would be used, along with the necessary forward and backward connections and end-to-end solutions.

Fact about fisheries sector

The country's socioeconomic development places a significant emphasis on the fishing industry.

After China, India is the world's second-largest producer of fish and aquaculture.

The Blue Revolution in India showed how crucial the fishing and aquaculture industries are.

The industry is seen as a sunrise sector and is set to contribute significantly to the Indian economy in the coming future.

Major challanges

Fish farmers and fishermen are more vulnerable to risks and dangers including natural catastrophes, infections, market changes, etc. when they don't have timely access to loans and insurance.

Adoption of best practises, innovations, and standards in the industry is hampered by a lack of qualified and trained labour as well as extension services for fish farmers and fishermen.

The regulatory and legal framework for fisheries management, including fishing rights, licences, quotas, conservation measures, quality control, traceability, etc., is not well understood by the fisheries sector, and it is not being followed. The industry's ability to compete and be sustainable is impacted by this.

The fisheries industry struggles with inadequate infrastructure and technology for fish production, processing, storage, transportation, and marketing.

Achievements:

The Fisheries sector experienced an amazing 14.3% growth from 2019–20 to 2021–2022.

From 141.64 lakh tonnes in 2019–20 to 161.87 lakh tonnes (provisional) in 2021–2022, fish production has increased.

Shrimp exports led the industry to record-breaking exports of 13.64 lakh tonnes, totaling Rs 57,587 crores (USD 7.76 billion).

India understands the importance of the fisheries and aquaculture industries as the world's third-largest fish producer and second-largest producer of aquaculture products.

National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB)

The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India, formed the NFDB as an independent organisation in 2006.

It was created to increase the nation's fish production and productivity and to organise fishery development in a comprehensive and integrated way.