Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) & Blue Revolution
2023 JUN 28
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Agriculture > Allied areas > Fisheries
IN NEWS:
- As Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) enters its 4th year of implementation, the Department of Fisheries has planed to expedite the pace of implementation of the scheme.
BACKGROUND:
- India is the third largest fish producing country, contributing 8% to the global fish production and ranks second in aquaculture production.
- The fish production in 2021-22 is 16.24 Million Tonnes (MT) comprising of marine fish production of 4.12 MT and 12.12 MT from Aquaculture.
- The sector provides livelihood to more than 20 million fishers and fish farmers at the primary level and twice the number along the value chain.
- Fish being an affordable and rich source of animal protein, is one of the healthiest options to mitigate hunger and malnutrition.
- Foreseeing the immense potential for development of fisheries Government in its Union Budget, 2019-20 has announced PMMSY.
PRADHAN MANTRI MATSYA SAMPADA YOJANA (PMMSY):
- PMMSY aims to bring about the Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of the fisheries sector in India.
- PMMSY is designed to address critical gaps in the fishing industry:
- PMMSY has been approved at a total estimated investment of Rs. 20,050 crores comprising of Central share of Rs. 9407 crores, State share of Rs 4880 crores and Beneficiaries contribution of Rs. 5763 crores.
- 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.
- The PMMSY is an umbrella scheme with two separate Components namely:
- Central Sector Scheme (CS)
- Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS)
MAJOR COMPONENTS:
- Cluster or area-based approach
- It would be followed with requisite forward and backward linkages and end to end solutions.
- Suitable linkages and convergence will be fostered with other centre and state government schemes wherever feasible.
- Active participation of States/UTs
- creation of State Programme Units in all States/UTs & District Programme Units and Sub-District Programme Unit in high fisheries potential districts.
- Infusing new and emerging technologies
- Re-circulatory Aquaculture Systems, Biofloc, Aquaponics, Cage Cultivation etc.
- Special focus on:
- Coldwater fisheries development
- Expansion of Aquaculture in Brackish Water and Saline Areas
- Seaweed cultivation and Ornamental Fisheries
- 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
- Development of Coastal fisher communities
- in a holistic manner through integrated modern coastal fishing villages with necessary infrastructure
- Insurance:
- Insurance coverage for fishing vessels has been introduced for the first time.
- Annual Livelihood support for fishers during ban/lean period would be provided.
- Extension support services:
- Youth would be engaged in fisheries extension by creation of Sagar Mitras in coastal fisher villages
- Promotion of high value species:
- Establishing a national network of Brood Banks for all commercially important species
- Genetic improvement and establishing Nucleus Breeding Center for self-reliance in Shrimp Brood stock
- Promotion of organic aquaculture and its certification
- Private sector participation, development of entrepreneurship and innovative project activities in fisheries sector.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES:
- Enhancing fish production
- An increase in the contribution of GVA of fisheries sector to the Agriculture GVA
- Increase the export earnings through fisheries sector
- 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 direct and indirect employment opportunities in the fisheries sector along the supply and value chain.
OTHER IMPORTANT INITIATIVES OF THE GOVERNMENT:
- National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB):
- An exclusive body for fisheries development called ‘National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB)’ was established in 2006.
- Coastal Aquaculture Authority (CAA)
- Established Coastal Aquaculture Authority (CAA) for regulation of coastal aquaculture activities
- Kisan Credit Card (KCC) for fisherman
- Government has extended the facility of Kisan Credit Card (KCC) to fisheries and animal husbandry farmers in the budget for 2018-19 to help them meet their working capital needs
- Blue Revolution: Integrated Development and Management of Fisheries
- It is an umbrella scheme to create an enabling environment for integrated development of the full potential of fisheries of the country
- The scheme has the following components:
- National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) and its activities
- Development of Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture
- Development of Marine Fisheries, Infrastructure and Post-Harvest Operations
- Strengthening of Database & Geographical Information System of the Fisheries Sector
- Institutional Arrangement for Fisheries Sector
- Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) and other need-based Interventions
- National Scheme of Welfare of Fishermen
- Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF):
- To assist in creating several infrastructural needs of the sector in the country.
- Inclusion of fishermen in the PM-KISAN scheme, which gives Rs 6,000 annually to farmers in three equal instalments.
CHALLENGES IN FISHERIES SECTOR:
- Lack of a reliable database relating to aquatic and fisheries resources
- Food safety issues:
- Recently, the most important challenge is faced by fishing sector is usage of formalin and ammonia in fish.
- Lack of capability of fishermen:
- Due to the poverty, fishermen are not able to adopt latest technology and continues to rely on traditional fishing.
- Poor infrastructure and lack of cold storage facility>> poor quality of fish >> lower price realisation
- Lack of access to quality seed and feed for fish farming
- Marine pollution
- Marine pollution such as oil spills, sewage disposal etc is detrimental to fish production
- Lack of linkage between research and fish farmers community:
- Limited number of species grown/cultured, mainly due to weak linkages between research and development and fish farmers community.
- Boundary disputes:
- Tensions over fishing in the Palk Straits and along India-Pak borders have resulted in fishermen getting periodically arrested and their boats seized. This remains a major constrain in deep sea fishing.
- Issues associated with ecological destruction and marine bio-diversity loss due to indiscriminate fishing
SUGGESTIONS:
- Diversification:
- Diversification of marine fishing activities to tap the deep sea and under-utilized resources
- Adoption of culture-based capture fisheries in reservoirs and under- utilized larger water bodies.
- Species diversification and introduction of high value commercial species.
- Improving governance:
- Networking of all line Departments/organizations dealing with fisheries under a single agency
- Aquaculture needs to be treated at par with agriculture in terms of water, power tariff, tax benefits, subsidy, insurance and credit.
- Demand side intervention:
- Encourage fish consumption through awareness on the health benefits of fish and its nutritional security.
- Socio economic welfare of fisher folk:
- Revamping of FFDAs and involvement of Cooperative Societies and Self Help Groups (SHGs) and ensuring the socio economic welfare of fisher folk.
- Infrastructure:
- Improving marketing infrastructure and value addition
- Construction of new ponds and tanks.
- Usage of expertise of scientific institutions and fishers:
- The expertise of scientific institutions and fishers will be utilized to optimize fishing efforts and implement measures to check resource depletion and ensure sustainability.
PRACTICE QUESTION:
Q. PMMSY is designed to address critical gaps in the fishing industry. Elucidate.