PMMSY: bridging gaps in the fisheries sector

Subject: Schemes

Section: Agriculture

Context:

A significant sum of ₹20,050 crore was allocated for the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) in 2020, committing the biggest-ever investment in the history of Indian fisheries.

PMMSY- significant milestones in three years:

It identified key strategic priority areas: marine fisheries, inland fisheries, fishermen’s welfare, infrastructure and post-harvest management, cold water fisheries, ornamental fisheries, aquatic health management, and sea weed cultivation, among others.
Almost 20,000 hectares of fresh pond area is being brought under inland aquaculture.
More inclusion of women in fisheries sector.
PMMSY has enabled 900 fish feed plants and 755 hatcheries, and is supporting research and genetic improvement of Indian White Shrimp at Chennai, the development of specific pathogen-free brood stock, and domestication of tiger shrimp in the Andaman Islands.
India is among the world’s top three countries in fish and aquaculture production, and is also the biggest shrimp exporter in the world.

Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY):

The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India is implementing PMMSY.
It aims to bring about the Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of the fisheries sector in India at an estimated investment of Rs. 20050 crores for holistic development of the fisheries sector including welfare of fishers.
Implemented in all the States and Union Territories for a period of 5 years from FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25.
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 modernize 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.

PMMSY Objectives:

Harness the potential of the fisheries sector in a sustainable, responsible, inclusive and equitable manner
Enhance fish production and productivity through expansion, intensification, diversification and productive utilization of land and water
Modernize and strengthen the value chain including post-harvest management and quality improvement
Double fishers and fish farmers’ incomes and generate meaningful employment
Enhance the contribution of the fisheries sector to Agricultural GVA and exports
Ensure social, physical and economic security for fishers and fish farmers
Build a robust fisheries management and regulatory framework

Targets of PMMSY:

Fish Production and Productivity:
- Increasing fish production to 22 million metric tons by 2024-25 from 13.75 million metric tons in 2018-19.
- Enhancing aquaculture productivity to 5 tons per hectare from the current national average of 3 tons.
- Augmenting domestic fish consumption from 5 kg to 12 kg per capita.
Economic Value Adition:
- Increasing contribution of fisheries sector to the Agriculture GVA to about 9% by 2024-25 from 7.28% in 2018-19.
- Doubling export earnings to Rs.1,00,000 crores by 2024-25 from Rs.46,589 crores in 2018-19.
- Facilitating private investment and growth of entrepreneurship in the fisheries sector.
- Reduction of post-harvest losses from the reported 20-25% to about 10%.
Enhancing income and employment generation:
- Generating 55 lakh direct and indirect employment opportunities along the value chain.
- Doubling the incomes of fishers and fish farmers.

Key achievements:

Enhancement of fish production from 10.26 Million metric tons (2014-15) to 13.75 Million metric tons (2018-19)
Productivity increased from 2.3 tons per hectare to 3.3 per tons per hectare
Exports increased from Rs 33,442 crore to Rs 46,589 crore (2018-19)