Union Minister of State George Kurian recently attended the National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP) Registration Outreach Program in Depalpur, Indore district, Madhya Pradesh. The initiative aims to digitally empower fishermen and ensure the benefits of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PMMKSSY) reach all stakeholders.
During the event, Kurian announced the establishment of an Aquapark and Research Centre in Madhya Pradesh at a cost of Rs 25 crore. Additionally, a Fish Parlor was inaugurated to promote fish consumption and enhance market access for fishery products.
Organized by the Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, this initiative is part of a nationwide campaign running from February 14 to 22, 2025. The program focuses on expediting registrations, increasing approval rates, and encouraging eligible participants to access benefits such as credit facilitation, aquaculture insurance, and performance grants.
The campaign is conducted in collaboration with State/UT Fisheries Departments, the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), and Common Service Centers (CSCs), aiming to streamline the registration process and maximize the reach of PMMKSSY. In Madhya Pradesh, 60,426 individuals have registered on the NFDP Portal, with 33,820 applications approved and 25,402 still in progress.
Addressing the gathering, Union Minister emphasized the significant role of the fisheries sector in ensuring food security, supporting livelihoods, and boosting the economy, impacting approximately 3 crore people nationwide. He highlighted India’s leadership as the world’s largest producer of cultured shrimp and the second-largest producer of aquaculture and fish. Kurian also discussed the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and its sub-scheme, PMMKSSY, with a combined investment of Rs 26,050 crore aimed at sustainable growth in the fisheries sector.
Kurian urged stakeholders to register on the NFDP, which has enrolled 18 lakh participants since its launch on September 11, 2024, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 to make India a global leader in fisheries and aquaculture. The event concluded with a call for active participation from all stakeholders, marking a significant step towards the digital transformation of the fisheries sector.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Narayan Singh Panwar, Minister of Fisheries Welfare and Fisheries Department, Madhya Pradesh; Shankar Lalwani, Member of Parliament, Indore; and Ravi Kumar, Director, Department of Fisheries, Indore.
