Introduction

The Indian government recently approved a Rs 6,000 crore sub-scheme under the flagship Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) with the objective of formalising the largely unorganised fisheries sector in the country.

Details About Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)

• PMMSY Launch Date: Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana or PMMSY Scheme launched in 2020, by the Department of Fisheries; Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying; to bring about ecologically healthy, economically viable, and socially inclusive development of the fisheries sector of India.
• Objectives of PMMSY Scheme
  • Harness the potential of the fisheries sector in a sustainable, responsible, inclusive, and equitable manner.
  • Enhance fish production and productivity through expansion, intensification, diversification and productive utilization of land and water.
  • Modernize and strengthen the value chain including post-harvest management and quality improvement.
  • Double fishers and fish farmers’ incomes and generate meaningful employment.
  • Enhance the contribution of the fisheries sector to Agricultural GVA and exports.
  • Ensure social, physical, and economic security for fishers and fish farmers.
  • Build a robust fisheries management and regulatory framework.
• Umbrella scheme: The PMMSY is an umbrella scheme with two separate Components:
  • Central Sector Scheme (CS) and 
  • Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS). 
  • The Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) Component is further segregated into non-beneficiary oriented, and beneficiary oriented activities under the following three broad heads: 
    • Enhancement of Production and Productivity. 
    • (ii) Infrastructure and Post-harvest Management. 
    • (iii) Fisheries Management and Regulatory Framework.
• Outlay: The scheme has been approved at a total estimated investment of Rs. 20,050 crores comprising Central share of Rs. 9407 crores, State share of Rs 4880 crores and Beneficiaries contribution of Rs. 5763 crores.
• Time period: PMMSY will be implemented in all the States and Union Territories for a period of 5(five) years from FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25.

Need for PM Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)

• Role of Fisheries and Aquaculture: Fisheries and aquaculture are vital for food, nutrition, employment, and income generation in India. They employ approximately 16 million people directly and even more indirectly along the value chain.
• Economic Contribution: The fisheries sector contributed significantly to the economy, accounting for 1.24% of the national GVA and 7.28% of agriculture GVA in 2018-19. It plays a crucial role in India’s economic growth.
• Resource Potential: India possesses abundant marine fishing resources, estimated at 4.41 million tons, along its extensive 8,118 km coastline. Utilizing these resources efficiently was essential for boosting fish production.
• Blue Revolution: The government initiated the ‘Blue Revolution‘ for five years (2015-20) to promote comprehensive development in fisheries. This effort led to increased fish production and productivity, from 10.26 MMT and 2.3 tonnes per hectare in FY15 to 13.75 MMT and 3.3 tonnes per hectare in FY19, respectively.
• Exports and Earnings: India is a prominent seafood exporter, with marine product exports earning Rs. 465.89 billion (US$ 6.73 billion) in FY19. Brackish water aquaculture development played a significant role in boosting exports, accounting for 70–75% of total fishery exports in FY20.
• Economic Growth Opportunity: Further development of the fisheries sector offers significant income opportunities, increased fish production, enhanced exports, and contributes to overall economic growth.

Targets of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)

• Fish Production and Productivity:

• • Increasing fish production to 22 million metric tons by 2024-25 from 13.75 million metric tons in 2018-19.
  • Enhancing aquaculture productivity to 5 tons per hectare from the current national average of 3 tons.
  • Augmenting domestic fish consumption from 5 kg to 12 kg per capita.

• Economic Value Addition:

• • Increasing contribution of the fisheries sector to the Agriculture GVA to about 9% by 2024-25 from 7.28% in 2018-19.
  • Doubling export earnings to Rs.1,00,000 crores by 2024-25 from Rs.46,589 crores in 2018-19.
  • Facilitating private investment and growth of entrepreneurship in the fisheries sector.
  • Reduction of post-harvest losses from the reported 20-25% to about 10%.

• Enhancing Income and Employment Generation:

• • Generating 55 lakh direct and indirect employment opportunities along the value chain.
  • Doubling the incomes of fishers and fish farmers.

Funding Pattern of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)

End Implementing Agencies of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)

The PMMSY would be implemented through the following agencies: 

• Central Government and its entities including National Fisheries Development Board. 
• State/UT Governments and their entities. 
• State Fisheries Development Boards. 
• Any other End Implementing Agencies as decided by the Department of Fisheries.

Beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)

The intended beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana are: 

• Fishers 
• Fish farmers 
• Fish workers and Fish vendors 
• Fisheries Development corporations 
• Self Help Groups (SHGs)/Joint Liability Groups (JLGs) in fisheries sector 
• Fisheries cooperatives 
• Fisheries Federations 
• Entrepreneurs and private firms 
• Fish Farmers Producer Organizations/Companies (FFPOs/Cs) 
• SCs/STs/Women/Differently abled persons 
• State Governments/UTs and their entities including 
• State Fisheries Development Boards (SFDB) 
• Central Government and its entities

Mode of Implementation of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)

• Institutional Framework at Central Government Level:

  • Central Apex Committee (CAC):
    • Headed by the Secretary, Department of Fisheries, GoI.
    • Responsible for overall PMMSY implementation, monitoring, and review.
  • Project Appraisal Committee (PAC):
    • Led by the Chief Executive of National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB).
    • Appraises and recommends Centrally Sponsored Scheme projects sent by States/UTs.
  • Project Monitoring and Evaluation Unit (PMEU):
    • Oversees PMMSY scheme implementation through domain experts.
    • Monitors projects by NFDB under Central Sector Scheme Components.
  • Project Monitoring Unit (PMU):
    • Established within NFDB for regular monitoring of PMMSY projects and activities.

• Institutional Framework at State/UT and District Level:

• • District Level Committee (DLC):
    • Headed by the District Collector/Deputy Commissioner.
    • Prepares and approves Annual District Fisheries Plan and monitors PMMSY at the district level.

• State Level Approval and Monitoring Committee (SLAMC):

• • Led by the senior-most Secretary in-charge of the State’s Department of Fisheries.
  • Approves State/UT Fisheries Annual Action Plan and PMMSY projects.
  • Responsible for overall PMMSY implementation and monitoring at the State/UT level.

PM Matsya Sampada Yojana – The Progress So Far 

• Till date, under PMMSY scheme, projects worth Rs 14,654.67 crore have been approved from 2020-21 to 2022-23. 
• Nearly ~73% of the envisaged investment has been achieved so far. 
• Similarly, against the total outlay of central share of Rs 9,407 crore, central share of Rs 6,140.82 crore has been approved from 2020-21 to 2022-23.
• The government also reported that fisheries grew 14.3% from 2019-2022. Fish production also increased from 141.64 lakh tonnes in 2019-2020 to 161.87 lakh tonnes in 2021-2022.

SWOT Analysis of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)

Strengths:

• Ambitious targets: PMMSY scheme aims to double fish production, increase aquaculture production by 25%, and create 60 lakh jobs in the fisheries sector by 2024-25.
• Comprehensive approach: The scheme covers a wide range of activities, including infrastructure development, capacity building, and market linkages.
• Public-private partnership: PMMSY encourages public-private partnerships to leverage expertise and resources from the private sector.
• Technology adoption: The scheme promotes the use of technology to improve efficiency and productivity.
• International collaboration: PMMSY collaborates with international organizations to exchange best practices and promote sustainable fisheries development.

Weaknesses:

• Inadequate infrastructure: Lack of adequate infrastructure, such as cold storage facilities and landing centers, hinders fish production and marketing.
• Low productivity: Low productivity of fish farms, particularly in the aquaculture sector, is a major challenge.
• Overfishing: Overfishing is a major threat to fish stocks, particularly in the marine sector.
• Post-harvest losses: Post-harvest losses, due to lack of proper storage and transportation facilities, are estimated to be around 20-25%.
• Lack of awareness: Lack of awareness about the scheme and its benefits among farmers and fishermen is a challenge.

Opportunities:

• Expanding aquaculture: Aquaculture has the potential to play a major role in meeting India’s growing fish demand.
• Promoting value addition: Promoting value addition in the fisheries sector can help improve farmers’ income and reduce post-harvest losses.
• Exporting fish products: India has the potential to become a major exporter of fish products.
• Collaborating with research institutions: Collaborating with research institutions can help develop innovative technologies and practices to improve fish production and sustainability.
• Involving women and youth: Involving women and youth in the fisheries sector can help create employment and boost economic growth.

Threats:

• Climate change: Climate change is a major threat to fisheries, as it can lead to changes in fish populations and habitats.
• Disease outbreaks: Disease outbreaks can cause major economic losses to the fisheries sector.
• Import competition: India faces increasing competition from imported fish products.
• Trade barriers: Trade barriers can restrict India’s export of fish products.
• Insurance costs: The high cost of crop insurance can be a major challenge for farmers.