Context

• The Union Cabinet has approved the Rs 20,050-crore Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) to bring about Blue Revolution through sustainable development of fisheries sector over next five years.

• The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister of India, has given its approval for implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
• A scheme to bring about Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of fisheries sector in India under two components namely, Central Sector Scheme (CS) and Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS).
• The Scheme will be implemented during a period of 5 years from FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25.

Aims and objectives of PMMSY

1.Harnessing of fisheries potential in a sustainable, responsible, inclusive and equitable manner

2.Enhancing of fish production and productivity through expansion, intensification, diversification and productive utilization of land and water

3.Modernizing and strengthening of value chain – post-harvest management and quality improvement

4.Doubling fishers and fish farmers incomes and generation of employment

5.Enhancing contribution to Agriculture GVA and exports 

6.Social, physical and economic security for fishers and fish farmers

7.Robust fisheries management and regulatory framework

Benefits of the Scheme

1. i. Address the critical gaps in the fisheries sector and realize its potential.
2. Augmenting fish production and productivity at a sustained average annual growth rate of about 9% to achieve a target of 22 million metric tons by 2024-25 through sustainable and responsible fishing practices.

iii. Improving availability of certified quality fish seed and feed, traceability in fish and including effective aquatic health management.

1. Creation of critical infrastructure including modernisation and strengthening of value chain.
2. Creation of direct gainful employment opportunities to about 15 lakh fishers, fish farmers, fish workers, fish vendors and other rural/urban populations in fishing and allied activities and about thrice this number as indirect employment opportunities including enhancement of their incomes.
3. Boost to investments in fisheries sector and increase of competitiveness of fish and fisheries products.

vii. Doubling of fishers, fish farmers and fish workers incomes by 2024

viii. Social, physical and economic security for fishers and fish workers.

Implementation strategy

• The PMMSY will be implemented as an umbrella scheme with two separate Components namely (a) Central Sector Scheme (CS) and (b) Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS).
• Majority of the activities under the Scheme would be implemented with active participation of States/UTs.
• Thrust will be given for infusing new and emerging technologies like Re-circulatory Aquaculture Systems, Biofloc, Aquaponics, Cage Cultivation etc.
• Special focus on Coldwater fisheries development and expansion of Aquaculture in Brackish Water and Saline Areas.
• Activities like Mariculture, Seaweed cultivation and Ornamental Fisheries having potential to generate huge employment will be promoted.
• Focused attention would be given for fisheries development in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Islands, Northeast, and Aspirational Districts through area specific development plans.
• Collectivization of fishers and fish farmers through Fish Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs) to increase bargaining power of fishers and fish farmers is a key feature of PMMSY.
• Insurance coverage for fishing vessels has been introduced for the first time.
• Youth would be engaged in fisheries extension by creation of Sagar Mitrasin coastal fisher villages. 

Major Impact, including employment generation potential 

• Sustained average annual growth of about 9% in fish production.
• An increase in the contribution of GVA of fisheries sector to the Agriculture GVA from 7.28% in 2018-19 to about 9% by 2024-25.
• Double export earnings by 2024-25.
• Enhancing productivity in aquaculture from the present national average of 3 tonnes to about 5 tonnes per hectare.
• Reduction of post-harvest losses from the reported 20-25% to about 10%.
• Enhancement of the domestic fish consumption from about 5-6 kg to about 12 kg per capita.
• Generate about 55 lakhs direct and indirect employment opportunities in the fisheries sector along the supply and value chain.

Intended Beneficiaries:

• Fishers, Fish farmers,  Fish workers, Fish vendors, SCs/STs/Women/Differently abled persons, Fisheries cooperatives/Federations, FFPOs, Fisheries Development corporations, Self Help Groups (SHGs)/Joint Liability Groups (JLGs) and  Individual Entrepreneurs.

Some facts about Fishery in India (Value-Edition for Mains)

• Constituting about 7.73% of the global fish production
• Second largest producer of fisheries after China.
• 4th largest fish exporting nation in the world.
• The Gross Value Added (GVA) of fisheries sector in the national economy during 2018-19 constituted 1.24% of the total National GVA and 7.28% share of Agricultural GVA.
• India has registered an average annual growth of 7.53% during last 5 years
• The ‘fisheries and aquaculture sector’ is recognized as the sunshine sector in Indian agriculture.
• Fishery is a State subject.
• India is home to more than 10 percent of the global fish diversity.
• Women representing about 32 percent of the people employed in the sector. 
• By 2030 aquaculture will be responsible for nearly two-thirds of India’s fish production, according to projections by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.
• Fish production also contributes around 1% to India’s gross domestic product and over 5% to the agricultural GDP.