Fisheries Sector: Key Meeting of the Fisheries Department for the Prime Minister's Fishers' Prosperity Scheme

On October 25, 2024, the Fisheries Department of the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying (MoFAH&D) organized a crucial meeting aimed at strengthening the role of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in technical dissemination through its fisheries extension network and implementing plans for fishery and aquaculture development. The meeting also discussed the implementation of the new sub-scheme, the Prime Minister's Fishers' Prosperity Scheme (PM-MKSSY). Representatives from the Department of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, ICAR, Agricultural Technology Application Research Institutes (ATARI), Fisheries Service Centers, Agricultural Science Centers, state and Union Territory fisheries officials, and leading training and research institutions participated in the meeting.

PM-MKSSY and Agricultural Extension System

Joint Secretary of the Fisheries Department, Mr. Sagar Mehra, detailed the key features of PM-MKSSY and emphasized the importance of reaching targeted beneficiaries through ICAR's extension network. The Joint Secretary from the Department of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare presented on the Virtual Integrated System to Access Agricultural Resources (VISTAAR) transformation efforts, focusing on improving the accessibility of agricultural resources in India.

Technical Support and Collaboration in Fisheries

The meeting specifically highlighted the significance of fisheries extension, which will assist in the swift resolution of issues related to PM-MKSSY through outreach, capacity building, and stakeholder collaboration. It was decided that priority would be given to technical support and the adoption of modern technologies in the field. Additionally, the integration of a traceability module and the enhancement of collaboration were also discussed. The cooperation of fisheries departments from states and Union Territories, ICAR institutions, and various training and support agencies marks a significant step towards long-term sustainability and economic empowerment.

Development of the 'Sunrise Sector' through Government Schemes

The fisheries and aquaculture sector is regarded as a "sunrise sector" that plays a vital role in ensuring food security, providing livelihoods, and contributing to India’s economic development. Over the past decade, the Indian government has led various schemes and initiatives to transform this sector, including the Prime Minister's Fisheries Wealth Scheme (PMMSY), the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), the Blue Revolution, and the Prime Minister's Fishers' Prosperity Scheme (PM-MKSSY), with an investment of ₹38,572 crores since 2015.

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₹6,000 Crores Investment in the Fisheries Sector

PM-MKSSY is a sub-scheme under PMMSY, approved in February 2024 with an estimated cost of ₹6,000 crores for the financial years 2023-24 to 2026-27. Its objectives include formalizing the unorganized fisheries sector, increasing access to institutional credit, promoting fisheries insurance, improving the efficiency of the value chain, and establishing supply chains for safe fish products. Additionally, the scheme aims to create work-based identities on the National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP) to ensure that benefits reach targeted beneficiaries directly and equitably.