The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying is implementing a flagship scheme namely Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) with an investment of ₹20050 crore in all the States and Union Territories (UTs) for a period of 5 years with effect from the financial year 2020-21 to FY 2024-25 for holistic development of the fisheries sector in the country. Under this scheme during the last three financial years (FY 2020-21 to 2022-23), and current financial year (2023-24), fisheries developmental projects of various State Governments, Union Territories and other implementing agencies amounting to of Rs. 17118.62 crore have been approved for overall development of fisheries and aquaculture sector in the country.

The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) is designed and implemented to address critical gaps in fish production and productivity, quality, technology, post-harvest infrastructure and management and modernisation and strengthening of value chain, traceability and quality improvement. To modernize and strengthen fisheries value chain, PMMSY supports creation of post-harvest infrastructure such as fishing harbours/fish landing centers, cold storages and ice plants, fish transportation vehicles including refrigerated and insulated vehicles, ice flaking and ice crushing units, ice/fish holding boxes, etc. with motorcycles, bicycles and auto rickshaws, value addition enterprise units as well as modern hygienic markets such as wholesale fish markets including supermarkets, retail fish markets and outlets, mobile fish and live fish markets. So far, under PMMSY investments worth Rs. 4005.96 crore have been approved for the above listed activities during the last three financial years (FY 2020-21 to 2022-23), and current financial year (2023-24).

PMMSY provides for establishment of a robust fisheries management framework and provides need-based support to States/UTs for formulation and implementation of fisheries management plans. Besides, the PMMSY promotes aquaculture, mariculture and post-harvest management and also various economic activities in fisheries, aiming towards enhancement of income and improve socio-economic condition of fishers and other stakeholders associated with fisheries sector. Under PMMSY financial assistance for livelihood and nutritional support are being provided to 6.0 lakh annually for traditional and socio-economically backward, eligible active marine and inland fishermen families during the fishing ban period, vis-à-vis PMMSY  supports insurance coverage to 33.20 lakh fishers and also supports interest subvention scheme for fishing vessels. Additionally under PMMSY 20823.40 hectares of pond area for inland aquaculture, 3942 Biofloc units, 11927 Nos. of Re-circulatory Aquaculture Systems (RAS), 44,408 reservoir cages and 543.7 hectares pens in reservoirs, 1,11,110 units of seaweed rafts and monoline units, 1489 bivalve cultivation units, 562 cold storages, 6542 fish kiosks, 108 value added enterprise units and  25,193 post harvest transportation units have been approved for promotion of aquaculture, mariculture and post-harvest management activities.

This information was given by Shri Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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