Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) is a flagship scheme for focused and sustainable development of fisheries sector in India with an estimated investment of Rs. 20,050 crore for its implementation during a period of five years from FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25 in all states and union territories, as a part of Aatmanirbhar Bharat Package. The investment of Rs. 20,050 crore under PMMSY is the highest ever in the fisheries sector. Out of this, an investment of about Rs 12,340 crore is proposed for beneficiary-oriented activities in marine, inland fisheries and aquaculture and about Rs 7,710 crore investment for fisheries infrastructure.
PMMSY aims at enhancing fish production by an additional 70 lakh tonne by 2024-25, increasing fisheries export earnings to Rs.100,000 crore by 2024-25, doubling of incomes of fishers and fish farmers, reducing post-harvest losses from 20-25 percent to about 10 percent and generation of additional 55 lakh direct and indirect gainful employment opportunities in fisheries sector and allied activities.
PMMSY is designed to address critical gaps in fish production and productivity, quality, technology, post-harvest infrastructure and management, modernisation and strengthening of value chain, traceability, establishing a robust fisheries management framework and fishers’ welfare. While aiming to consolidate the achievements of Blue Revolution scheme, PMMSY envisages many new interventions such as fishing vessel insurance, support for new/up-gradation of fishing vessels/boats, Bio-toilets, aquaculture in saline/alkaline areas, sagar mitras, fisheries farmer producer organisations (FFPOs) and companies, nucleus breeding centres, fisheries and aquaculture start-ups, incubators, integrated aqua parks, integrated coastal fishing villages development, aquatic laboratories network and extension services, traceability, certification and accreditation, Re-circulatory aquaculture system (RAS), biofloc and cage culture, e-trading, e-marketing, fisheries management plans, among other fisheries related areas.
PMMSY scheme primarily focuses on adopting ‘cluster or area based approaches’ and creation of fisheries clusters through backward and forward linkages. Special focus will be given for employment generation activities such as seaweed and ornamental fish cultivation. It emphasises on interventions for quality brood, seed and feed, special focus on species diversification, critical infrastructure and marketing networks.
As of now, under PMMSY the Department of Fisheries, Government of India has approved Rs 1,723 crore worth of proposals for 21 states and UTs in phase-1. Priority has been accorded for income generating activities under PMMSY.