SYLLABUS

GS-2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation; Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; 

Context: 

Recently, Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) completed five years of implementation, transforming India’s fisheries sector through record production, exports, employment, and inclusivity.

About Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)

• PMMSY was launched on 10 September 2020 by the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying to bring about ecologically healthy, economically viable, and socially inclusive development of the fisheries sector of India.
• The National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) is the nodal agency for implementing training, awareness, and capacity-building programmes under PMMSY.
• Total investment outlay: ₹20,050 crore (2020–21 to 2024–25).
• Extension approved up to FY 2025–26 with the existing scheme design and funding pattern.
• This scheme aims to usher in the Blue Revolution in India’s fisheries sector.

Components of the scheme

Umbrella scheme with two components:

• Central Sector Scheme (CS): 100% funded by Central government.
• Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS): Cost-sharing between Centre and States.

CSS activities grouped under three heads:

• Enhancement of production and productivity.
• Infrastructure and post-harvest management.
• Fisheries management and regulatory framework.

Achievements of PMMSY in 5 Years

• India achieved a record fish production of 195 lakh tonnes in 2024–25, a sharp rise from 141.64 lakh tonnes in 2019–20.
• The country has emerged as the second-largest fish producer in the world, contributing nearly 8% of global fish production.
• Fisheries exports have shown robust growth, increasing from ₹46,662.85 crore in 2019–20 to ₹60,524.89 crore in 2023–24, strengthening India’s position in the global seafood market.
• PMMSY created 58 lakh employment opportunities, surpassing the target of 55 lakh.

Key Initiatives under PMMSY

• Empowering Women in Fisheries: It promotes women’s participation in fisheries by providing up to 60% of total project cost as financial assistance under beneficiary-oriented activities and the Entrepreneur Model.
• Building Climate Resilience through Technology: The Department of Fisheries has identified 100 coastal fishermen villages as Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages to strengthen climate resilience and make them economically vibrant.
• Digitalisation: PMMSY launched the National Fisheries Digital Platform which provides single-window access to government benefits and aims to formalise the fisheries and aquaculture sector.
• Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah Yojana: A Central Sector sub-scheme of PMMSY to incentivisation of aquaculture insurance, improving value chain efficiency, and adoption of safety and quality systems for safe fish production.
• Biofloc Technology: It is a sustainable aquaculture method that uses beneficial microbes to recycle nutrients, forming clumps (biofloc) that act as natural feed and improve water quality.

Significance of the Scheme

• Boost to Seafood Exports: Strengthened India’s position as a global seafood exporter, with exports increasing from ₹46,662.85 crore in 2019–20 to ₹60,524.89 crore in 2023–24.
• Women’s Empowerment: Promoted women-led entrepreneurship, fostering economic empowerment in rural areas.
• Livelihood Security: Ensured sustainable livelihoods for 58 lakh people through direct and indirect employment opportunities.
• Contribution to Agricultural Growth: It supported the goal of doubling farmers’ income and contributed significantly to agriculture Gross Value Added (GVA).

Source:

https://www.myscheme.gov.in/schemes/pmmsy https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/specificdocs/documents/2025/sep/doc202599631401.pdf https://nfdb.gov.in/PDF/PMMSY-FAQS.pdf