Building ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ through PMMSY
Fisheries sector has been recognised as a ‘Sunrise Sector' and has demonstrated an outstanding double-digit average annual growth of 10.87 per cent since 2014-15. The sector has reached record fish production of 142 lakh tonnes in 2019-20 and has immense potential for growth. Moreover, it has been instrumental in sustaining the livelihoods of over 28 million people in India especially for marginalised and vulnerable communities and has contributed towards encouraging socio-economic development.
India is the second largest fish producing country in the world accounting for 7.56 per cent of global production and contributing about 1.24 per cent to the country's Gross Value Added (GVA) and over 7.28 per cent to the agricultural GVA. Fisheries and aquaculture continue to be an important source of food, nutrition, income and livelihood to millions of people.
Export earnings from the sector has been Rs 46,662.85 crore during 2019-20. The sector provides livelihood support to about 280 lakh people at the primary level and almost twice the number along the value chain and the annual average growth rate in the Fisheries sector has been 7 per cent over the last few years.
Fish being an affordable and rich source of animal protein, is one of the healthiest options to mitigate hunger and nutrient deficiency. The sector has immense potential to double its exports, it is essential that sustained and focused attention is given to the fisheries sector through policy and financial support to accelerate its development in a sustainable, responsible, inclusive and equitable manner.
To bring about sustainable and responsible development of fisheries sector in India, the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying is implementing a flagship scheme Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), a scheme intended to bring about the
Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of the fisheries sector in the country.
PMMSY, launched on September 10, 2020, with an estimated investment of Rs 20,050 crore for its implementation during a period of five years from 2020-21 to 2024-25 in all States/union Territories, as a part of Atmanirbhar Bharat Package. The investment 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 7710 crore investment for Fisheries Infrastructure.
PMMSY aims at enhancing fish production by an additional 70 lakh tonnes by 2024-25, increasing fisheries export earnings to Rs 1,00,000 crore by 2024-25, doubling of incomes of fishers and fish farmers, reducing post-harvest losses from 20
25 per cent to about 10 per cent and generation of additional 55 lakhs direct and indirect gainful employment opportunities in fisheries sector and allied activities.
Implementation of the PMMSY commenced during the middle of 2020-21. Under PMMSY during 2020-21 to 2021-22 Department of Fisheries has accorded approval of project proposals to the tune of Rs 5336.96 crore with a central share of Rs 1823.5 crore to States/uts and other implementing agencies. An amount of Rs 1700 crore has been allocated during 2020-21 (RE) and 2021-22 (BE) under PMMSY. An amount of Rs 1223.96 crore has been released to various States/uts and other implementing agencies from 2020-21 to 2021-22. The cumulative number of beneficiaries covered during 2020-21 and the current financial year under PMMSY is 942,761.
The Department of Fisheries, Government of India in association with Startup India, Ministry of Commerce and Industry inaugurated the 'Fisheries Startup Grand Challenge' on January 13, 2022. The challenge has been launched with an objective to provide a platform to startups within the country to showcase their innovative solutions within the Fisheries and Aquaculture sector. The Department of Fisheries has earmarked funds to the tune of Rs 3.44 crore for the challenge.
At a macro level, through this Fisheries
Challenge and similar impactful activities, the government envisages inclusive growth within the sector through collaborative and cumulative efforts from various stakeholders. Importantly, the government aims to progressively contribute towards nation-building by fulfilling the objective of making an ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat'.