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Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) & Blue Revolution

2023 JUN 28

Mains   > 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:
    1. Central Sector Scheme (CS)
    2. 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.

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