India, with its vast coastline, rivers, and water bodies, has always been a land of immense potential in the fisheries sector. However, for decades, this potential remained underutilized due to outdated practices, inadequate infrastructure, and limited focus on sustainability. Enter the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), a flagship scheme launched in 2020 to revolutionize India’s fisheries sector and drive the Blue Revolution. With an investment of ₹20,050 crore, PMMSY aims to enhance fish production, modernize infrastructure, and improve the livelihoods of millions of fishers and fish farmers. This blog delves into how PMMSY is transforming India’s fisheries sector, its achievements, its challenges, and its role in achieving the Blue Revolution.
Table of Contents
Blue Revolution Understanding PMMSY: A Game-Changer for India’s Fisheries
Launch and Timeline
Blue Revolution PMMSY was launched in September 2020 as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan (Self-Reliant India Campaign). The scheme is operational from 2020-21 to 2024-25, with a vision to address critical gaps in the fisheries sector and unlock its full potential.
Investment and Allocation
The scheme has a total investment of ₹20,050 crore, with the following allocation:
- Central Share: ₹9,407 crore
- State Share: ₹4,880 crore
- Beneficiary Contribution: ₹5,763 crore
This funding is aimed at creating a robust ecosystem for sustainable fisheries development, from production to post-harvest management.
Blue Revolution Objectives of PMMSY
PMMSY is designed to achieve the following objectives:
- Enhance fish production and productivity: Increase fish production to 22 million metric tons by 2024-25.
- Modernize infrastructure: Develop fishing harbors, cold chains, and aquaparks.
- Promote sustainability: Ensure bio-security, disease management, and environmental sustainability.
- Improve fishers’ welfare: Double fishers’ incomes and provide social security benefits.
Key Components of PMMSY
PMMSY operates under two main components:
Central Sector Scheme (CS)
- Fully funded by the central government.
- Focuses on infrastructure development, such as fishing harbors, aquaparks, and e-marketing platforms.
Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS)
- Partially funded by states and beneficiaries.
- Includes sub-components for both beneficiaries (fishers and fish farmers) and non-beneficiaries (infrastructure development).
Focus Areas
PMMSY targets four key areas:
- Inland Fisheries: Development of freshwater aquaculture and cage culture.
- Marine Fisheries: Modernization of deep-sea fishing and coastal aquaculture.
- Aquaculture: Promotion of sustainable practices and disease management.
- Post-Harvest Management: Reduction of post-harvest losses through cold chains and processing units.
Achievements and Impact of PMMSY
Since its launch, PMMSY has made significant strides in transforming India’s fisheries sector:
1. Growth in Fish Production
- Fish production has increased from 13.42 million metric tons (2019-20) to 16.24 million metric tons (2022-23).
- India is now the third-largest fish-producing country globally.
2. Contribution to the Economy
- The fisheries sector contributes 1.24% to India’s Gross Value Added (GVA) and 7.28% to agricultural GVA.
- Seafood exports have crossed ₹57,586 crore in 2022-23, making India a global leader in seafood exports.
3. Employment Generation
- PMMSY has created employment opportunities for over 28 million people, including fishers, fish farmers, and workers in the value chain.
4. Improved Food Security
- Increased domestic fish consumption has improved nutritional security, especially in rural and coastal areas.
Challenges Addressed by PMMSY
PMMSY has tackled several challenges in the fisheries sector:
1. Post-Harvest Losses
- Modernized infrastructure, such as cold chains and processing units, has reduced post-harvest losses by 20-25%.
2. Disease Management
- PMMSY promotes bio-security measures and disease surveillance to ensure healthy fish production.
3. Environmental Sustainability
- The scheme emphasizes sustainable practices, such as cage culture and seaweed farming, to minimize environmental impact.
Role in Achieving the Blue Revolution
The Blue Revolution aims to harness the potential of India’s water resources for sustainable development. PMMSY aligns perfectly with this vision by:
- Promoting sustainable fisheries development.
- Ensuring economic prosperity for fishers and fish farmers.
- Strengthening India’s position as a global leader in seafood exports.
Future Outlook
PMMSY has laid a strong foundation for the future of India’s fisheries sector. Beyond 2024-25, the focus will be on:
- Double fishers’ incomes.
- Boosting seafood exports to ₹1 lakh crore by 2025.
Aligning with India’s Viksit Bharat @2047 vision for a developed economy.
Conclusion
The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) is a transformative initiative that is driving the Blue Revolution in India. By enhancing fish production, modernizing infrastructure, and promoting sustainability, PMMSY is not only improving the livelihoods of millions but also contributing to India’s economic growth and food security. As we look to the future, PMMSY’s vision of sustainable and inclusive development will continue to guide India’s journey towards becoming a global leader in the fisheries sector.
FAQs PMMSY
PMMSY (Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana) is a flagship scheme launched in 2020 to transform India’s fisheries sector through sustainable development and modernization.
The total budget of PMMSY is ₹20,050 crore, with contributions from the central government, states, and beneficiaries.
PMMSY provides financial assistance for infrastructure development, disease management, and social security, helping fishers double their incomes.
PMMSY focuses on inland fisheries, marine fisheries, aquaculture, and post-harvest management.
Fish production has increased from 13.42 million metric tons (2019-20) to 16.24 million metric tons (2022-23) under PMMSY.
The Blue Revolution aims to harness India’s water resources for sustainable fisheries development, economic growth, and food security.
