• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 218 fisheries projects worth around Rs 1,560 crore in Palghar, Maharashtra. 

• PM Modi launched the Rs 360 crore National Roll Out of Vessel Communication and Support system, under which one lakh transponders will be installed on mechanised and motorised fishing vessels in 13 coastal states and UTs. 

• The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for important fishery infrastructure projects including development, upgradation and modernisation of fishing harbours, fish landing centers and construction of fish markets.

• PM Modi highlighted that ‘Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana’ has brought a revolution in the field of fish production. India has become the world’s second-largest fish producer.

Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)

• The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying is implementing flagship scheme ‘Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana’ (PMMSY) with a vision to bring “Blue Revolution” through sustainable and responsible development of fisheries sector in India with an investment of Rs 200,50 crore in fisheries sector for a period of five years with effect from the financial year 2020-21 to FY 2024-25.

• The investment of Rs 20,050 crore under PMMSY is the highest ever in the fisheries sector. 

• PMMSY is designed to address critical gaps in the fisheries value chain from fish production, productivity and quality to technology, post-harvest infrastructure and marketing. 

• It aims to modernise and strengthen the value chain, enhance traceability and establish a robust fisheries management framework while simultaneously ensuring the socio-economic welfare of fishers and fish farmers.

• Emphasis is laid on addressing critical gaps in the value chain through technology infusion, optimal water management, improved quality and hygiene of fish and fish products, insurance, value addition, demand-based branding, marketing and promotion of initiatives bringing economic returns to the stakeholders.

• In the Union Budget 2023-24, a new sub-scheme under the PMMSY has been announced with an investment of Rs 6,000 crore to enable activities of fish vendors, fishermen, and micro and small enterprises for improving value chain efficiencies and expanding the market.

Objectives of PMMSY:

i) Harness the potential of the fisheries sector in a sustainable, responsible, inclusive, and equitable manner.

ii) Enhance fish production and productivity through expansion, intensification, diversification, and productive utilisation of land and water.

iii) Modernise and strengthen the value chain including post-harvest management and quality improvement.

iv) Double fishers and fish farmers’ incomes and generate meaningful employment.

v) Enhance the contribution of the fisheries sector to Gross Value Added (GVA) for agriculture and exports.

vi) Ensure social, physical, and economic security for fishers and fish farmers.

vii) Build a robust fisheries management and regulatory framework.

Targets of PMMSY:

Fish Production and Productivity 

i) Increasing fish production to 22 million metric tonnes by 2024-25.

ii) Enhancing aquaculture productivity to 5 tonnes per hectare.

iii) Augmenting domestic fish consumption from 5 kg to 12 kg per capita.

Economic Value Addition

i) Increasing contribution of the fisheries sector to the Agriculture GVA to about 9 per cent by 2024-25 from 7.28 per cent in 2018-19.

ii) Doubling export earnings to Rs one lakh crore by 2024-25 from Rs 46,589 crore in 2018-19.

iii) Facilitating private investment and growth of entrepreneurship in the fisheries sector.

iv) Reduction of post-harvest losses from the reported 20-25 per cent to about 10 per cent.

Enhancing Income and Employment Generation 

i) Generating 55 lakh direct and indirect employment opportunities along the value chain.

ii) Doubling the incomes of fishers and fish farmers.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)