PM Matsya Sampada Yojana: Objective, Eligibility, Significance

PM Matsya Sampada Yojana: The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) is an important scheme launched by the Indian government to enhance the fisheries sector, promote sustainable development, and create a "Blue Revolution" in India.

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What is the PMMSY Scheme?

PM Matsya Sampada Yojana - Overview

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PMMSY Objectives

1. Increase Fish Production: The main objective is to increase fish production and productivity by expanding, diversifying, and utilizing water bodies more efficiently.
2. Improve Infrastructure: Strengthening the fisheries infrastructure, including cold storage facilities, fish landing centers, and processing units.
3. Employment Generation: Create millions of direct and indirect jobs along the fisheries value chain.
4. Double Incomes: By increasing fish production and modernizing practices, the scheme aims to double the income of fishers and fish farmers.
5. Boost Exports: Enhance the contribution of the fisheries sector to the agricultural economy and increase exports of fish products.
6. Sustainable Practices: Promote responsible fishing practices to ensure the long-term sustainability of marine and inland fisheries.

PMMSY Scheme Eligibility Criteria

1. Fishers and Fish Farmers: Individuals engaged in fishing and aquaculture activities.
2. Fisheries Cooperatives: Organizations involved in fisheries production and management.
3. Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and Joint Liability Groups (JLGs) : Groups working in fisheries or aquaculture.
4. Entrepreneurs: Individuals or private firms engaged in fisheries-related businesses.
5. SC/ST/Women/Differently-abled Persons: Special provisions are made to include marginalized groups in the scheme.

PMMSY Registration

1. Offline Application: Applicants must submit a detailed project report to their District Fisheries Officer. The report should align with the operational guidelines provided in the PMMSY Guidelines PDF.
2. Online Application: In some cases, online applications are available, especially for central components. Applicants can upload required documents such as Aadhaar, PAN, bank account details, and project proposals.

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Significance of PM Matsya Sampada Yojana

• Economic Boost: The scheme aims to enhance the contribution of the fisheries sector to the national Agricultural GVA from 7.28% to around 9% by 2024-25.
• Job Creation: The scheme is expected to create around 55 lakh direct and indirect jobs, thereby contributing to rural employment and livelihoods.
• Infrastructure Development : PMMSY promotes the establishment of cold chains, processing units, and fish landing centers, which are critical for reducing post-harvest losses.
• Boosting Exports: By improving the value chain, the scheme can double the earnings from fish exports.

PMMSY Scheme Achievements

• Fish Production Growth: India's annual fish production has risen significantly to a record 175.45 lakh tons at the end of FY 2022-23 making India the second-largest fish-producing country.
• Employment Generation: Around 14,654.67 crore worth of projects have been approved, creating direct and indirect employment opportunities.
• Infrastructure Improvements: Several fisheries infrastructures like cold storage, markets, and hatcheries have been established across the country.

Challenges in PMMSY Implementation

• Awareness: Many eligible beneficiaries are still unaware of the scheme and its benefits, limiting its full potential in some areas.
• Inadequate Infrastructure: Limited availability of cold storage and fish landing centers hinders the efficient transport and storage of fish.
• Overfishing: In certain regions, overfishing has depleted fish stocks, leading to ecological imbalances.
• Post-Harvest Losses: Post-harvest losses remain high, despite efforts to modernize the fisheries value chain.
• Low Productivity: The aquaculture sector faces productivity challenges, particularly in terms of land utilization and water management.