Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, Parshottam Rupala, is set to address a momentous event on September 15, 2023, marking the third anniversary of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) at the Brilliant Convention Centre in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
The event will be a platform to celebrate the successful implementation of PMMSY, a transformative scheme aimed at revolutionizing the fisheries sector in India. During this occasion, Minister Rupala will launch the "Matsya Sampada Jagrukata Abhiyan," a six-month-long outreach initiative by the Department of Fisheries. The primary goal of this initiative is to ensure the efficient implementation of the scheme and reach out to potential stakeholders, enabling eligible beneficiaries to avail themselves of the scheme's benefits.
As part of the "Matsya Sampada Jagrukata Abhiyan," a total of 108 Matsya Kisan Sammelans will be organized across the country from September 2023 to February 2024. The objective is to raise awareness among potential beneficiaries about the multifaceted potential of the fisheries sector and how PMMSY can empower fishers and fish farmers. Furthermore, the Abhiyan seeks to disseminate information and knowledge about the nine years of achievements and success stories of the Department of Fisheries and its field institutions nationwide.
One of the highlights of the 3rd Anniversary celebration will be the inauguration of an Exhibition on Fisheries, showcasing innovations, initiatives, and advancements in the fisheries sector by startups, colleges, universities, Fish FPOs, and Fish Cooperatives. This event will provide a platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas and explore opportunities for growth and development in the fisheries industry.
The event will feature a hybrid format, with an expected participation of over 20,000 attendees from across the country. It promises to be a landmark occasion, bringing together fishers, fish farmers, entrepreneurs, government officials, and enthusiastic participants from the vibrant fisheries and aquaculture sector. The event's overarching goal is to showcase the achievements of PMMSY and various other schemes implemented by the Department of Fisheries, Government of India, over the last nine years.
Notable speakers at the event will include Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Balyan; Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, Dairying, and Information and Broadcasting, Dr. L. Murugan; and Minister of Fisheries and Water Resources, Government of Madhya Pradesh, Tulsi Silawat. The event will also witness the presence of key officials, including Secretary of the Department of Fisheries, Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi; Joint Secretary, Sagar Mehra; Joint Secretary of the Department of Fisheries, Ms. Neetu Prasad; Chief Executive of NFDB, Dr. L. Narasimha Murthy; and Deputy Director General (Fisheries) of ICAR, Dr. J. K. Jena.
Representatives from the Fisheries Department of States/UTs, officials of the Department of Fisheries, National Fisheries Development Board, ICAR institutes, and other relevant Departments/Ministries, PMMSY beneficiaries, fishermen, fish farmers, entrepreneurs, and key stakeholders involved in the fisheries sector from across the nation are expected to participate in the event. The Department of Fisheries is organizing the event, with coordination from the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Hyderabad.
Fisheries and aquaculture activities play a crucial role in providing food, nutrition, and employment opportunities. They are a significant source of livelihood for approximately 3 crore fishers and fish farmers in India. India stands as the third-largest fish-producing country globally, contributing approximately 8% to global fish production. Additionally, India ranks second in aquaculture production and is a prominent MP producer and seafood exporter.
Over the past nine years, the Government of India has launched several transformative initiatives for the holistic development of the fisheries and aquaculture sector. Key initiatives include the Blue Revolution Scheme with an investment of Rs. 5000 crore, the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) with an investment target of Rs. 7522 crore and the creation of the Ministry for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying in June 2019.
To further consolidate these achievements and elevate the fisheries sector's production and productivity, the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) was launched on September 10, 2020, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. With an unprecedented investment of Rs. 20,050 crores for a period of five years, PMMSY aims to enhance fish production and productivity, develop fisheries infrastructure, promote domestic fish consumption, and prioritize the livelihood and welfare of fisher communities.
Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, PMMSY focuses on addressing critical gaps in fish production, productivity, technology, and post-harvest infrastructure. As of August 2023, PMMSY has sanctioned a total project cost of Rs. 16,924.02 crores, covering 35 states/UTs and other implementing agencies, under Centrally Sponsored Schemes (Rs. 15,335.09 crore) and Central Sectoral Schemes (Rs. 1,588.93 crore).
