Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana : A Revolution in Fisheries .

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Recently, the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) has been digitally launched.

Several other initiatives in the fisheries and animal husbandry sectors have also been launched on the occasion. PMMSY is a flagship scheme for focused and sustainable development of the fisheries sector in the country as a part of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.

Launching the scheme via video-conference, the PM said, “Today the scheme is being launched in 21 states across the country. Over Rs 20,000 crore will be spent on this in the next 4-5 years. Works worth Rs 1,700 crore are being started today. Under the scheme, several facilities have been inaugurated in Patna, Purnia, Sitamarhi, Madhepura, Kishanganj and Samastipur.”

It aims to Adopt ‘Cluster or Area-based Approaches’ and create fisheries clusters through backward and forward linkages. Focus especially on employment generation activities such as seaweed and ornamental fish cultivation. It will Address critical gaps in fish production and productivity, quality, technology, post-harvest infrastructure and management, modernisation and strengthening of the value chain, traceability, establishing a robust fisheries management framework and fishers’ welfare. Consolidate the achievements of the blue revolution and bring new interventions such as fishing vessel insurance, support for new/up-gradation of fishing vessels/boats, integrated aqua parks, e-trading/marketing, etc.

The PM also launched other initiatives for fisheries, dairy and animal husbandry including e-GOPALA app, which will provide information . The app will enable cattle owners to buy and sell animals, said a statement from the government.

Targets of this scheme is to Enhance fish production by an additional 70 lakh tonne and increase fisheries export earnings to Rs.1,00,000 crore by 2024-25. Double the incomes of fishers and fish farmers. Reduce post-harvest losses from 20-25% to about 10%. And to Generate an additional 55 lakhs direct and indirect gainful employment opportunities in the fisheries sector and allied activities.

An estimated investment of Rs. 20,050 crore for a period of 5 years from financial year (FY) 2020-21 to FY 2024-25 in all States/Union Territories. This investment is the highest ever in the fisheries sector yet.

It will be implemented as an umbrella scheme with two separate components namely:
Central Sector Scheme: The project cost will be borne by the Central government. Centrally Sponsored Scheme: All the sub-components/activities will be implemented by the States/UTs and the cost will be shared between Centre and State.

A Semen Station is also goung to be setup. The state of the art facility has been established under Rashtriya Gokul Mission in Purnea, Bihar with an investment of Rs. 84.27 crores. It is one of the largest semen stations in the government sector with a production capacity of 50 lakh semen doses per annum. It will give a new dimension to development and conservation of indigenous breeds of Bihar and meet the demand of semen doses of eastern and northeastern States.

Various IVF laboratories are being set up across the country through a 100% grant in aid.These labs are crucial for propagating elite animals of indigenous breeds and thereby enhancing milk production and productivity manifold.

Use of Sex-sorted Semen in Artificial Insemination: Through this method, only female calves can be produced (with more than 90% accuracy) which will help double the growth rate of milk production in the country.

Demonstration of IVF Technology at Farmer’s Doorstep: It will propagate the technology for multiplication of high yielding animals at a faster rate as through the use of technology, a female cattle can give birth to 20 calves in a year

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, FFPOs/Cs,  Nucleus Breeding Centres, Fisheries and Aquaculture start-ups, Incubators, etc.

Other initiatives announced at the launch of PMMSY scheme:

  • Establishment of Fish Brood Bank at Sitamarhi.
  • Aquatic Disease Referral Laboratory at Kishanganj.
  • One-unit fish feed mill at Madhepura and two units of ‘Fish on Wheels’ assisted at Patna under Blue Revolution.
  • Comprehensive Fish Production Technology Centre at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar.