On May 26, 2020, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Giriraj Singh detailed the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) during a press conference in New Delhi. PMMSY was announced as a part of the Rs 20 Lakh crore Centre’s economic stimulus package in response to COVID-19 and received the Union Cabinet approval on May 20, 2020. It will be implemented for a period of 5 years i.e. from FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25 in all states and Union Territories (UTs). This is the first time insurance coverage for fishing vessels are being introduced.
- PMMSY is dedicated to the fishers, fish farmers, fish workers, fish vendors and other stakeholders associated with the fisheries sector.
- Importantly, the scheme is providing insurance coverage for fishing vessels, which is being introduced for the first time.
- A booklet on PMMSY was also released during the conference.
Outlay of the scheme: Rs. 20,050 cr
The outlay of the scheme is Rs. 20,050 crores comprising Central share of Rs. 9,407 crore, State share of Rs 4,880 crore and Beneficiaries contribution of Rs. 5,763 crore for a period of 5 years from FY 21 to FY25.
- This scheme’s outlay resulted in the highest ever investment for the fisheries sector.
- 42% of the total estimated investment of the PMMSY is earmarked for creation and upgradation of fisheries infrastructure facilities.
Objective of scheme: To enhance fish production to 220 lakh metric tons by 2024-25 from 137.58 lakh metric tons in 2018-19 at an average annual growth rate of about 9%. It also aims to double incomes of fishers and export earnings by 2024-25.
Focus of PMMSY for next 5 years:
-Bring Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of fisheries sector in India.
-To double export earnings to Rs.1,00,000 crore.
-Generation of about 55 lakhs direct and indirect employment opportunities in fisheries sector.
-To increase aquaculture average productivity to 5 tons per hectare from the current national average of 3 tons per hectare.
-To reduce post-harvest losses from the present 25% to about 10% by modernizing and strengthening the value chain.
Components of PMMSY: CS & CSS
The scheme has two components viz.
- Central Sector scheme (CS)- 100% centrally funded
- Centrally Sponsored scheme (CSS)- Project/Unit cost will be shared between state and centre
- North Eastern/Himalayan states- 90% Centre and 10% state share
- Other States- 60% Centre and 40% state share
- UTs- 100% central share
Points to be noted:
-As a part of PMMSY, there will be Swath Sagar plan, which is envisaged with modernizing of the fisheries sector including promotion of Bio-toilets, Insurance coverage for fishing vessels, Fisheries Management Plans, E-Trading/Marketing, Fishers and resources survey and creation of National IT-based databases.
-Also, Government will register “Sagar Mitra” and encourage formation of Fish Farmers Producer Organizations (FFPOs) to help achieve the PMMSY goals by enhancing domestic fish consumption with corresponding health benefits.
- Youth will be engaged in fisheries extension by creation of 3477 Sagar Mitras in coastal fisher villages. Large number of Fisheries Extension Services Centers will be set up in private space to create job opportunities for young professionals.
- Sagar Mitra is an initiative to stop the entry of plastic into the seas.
Current status of India in fisheries sector:
- India is the 2nd largest aquaculture and 4th largest fish exporting nation in the world.
- It constituted 7.73% of the global fish production and export earnings of Rs.46,589 Crores (2018-19).
- The sector recorded an Average Annual Growth Rate of 10.88% during 2014-15 to 2018-19, 7.53% average annual growth in fish production and 9.71% average annual growth in export earnings, with 18% share in agricultural exports.
- Gross Value Added (GVA) of the Fisheries sector in the national economy during 2018-19 stood at Rs 2,12,915 crores which constituted 1.24% of the total National GVA and 7.28% share of Agricultural GVA.
Steps taken by Union Government to enhance fisheries sector:
- Creation of a separate Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying in the Union Government
- Setting up a new and dedicated Department of Fisheries with independent administrative structure
- Implementation of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme on Blue Revolution: Integrated Development and Management of Fisheries during the period 2015-16 to 2019-20 with a central outlay of Rs. 3,000 crore.
- Creation of Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) during 2018-19 with a fund size of Rs. 7,522.48 crore.
- Launching of PMMSY with an investment of Rs. 20,050 crore.
Participants at conference: The Ministers of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Sanjiv Kumar Baliyan and Pratap Chandra Sarangi, and Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Dr. Rajeev Ranjan, were present during the press conference.
Click Here for Official Link or Booklet
