Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) 2020

Policy Update
Anamitra Sinha

Background

The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) is a flagship scheme introduced by the Government of India as part of a broader initiative to bring about a “Blue Revolution” through sustainable development of the fisheries sector. This scheme is designed to enhance the fisheries sector, which is a critical component of India’s agricultural and food security landscape. The fisheries and aquaculture industries play a vital role in providing food, nutrition, and livelihood to approximately 16 million fishers and fish farmers, contributing significantly to the nation’s economy. Fish, being a rich source of animal protein, also serves as an essential part of the fight against malnutrition and hunger across various socio-economic strata.

The Gross Value Added (GVA) of the fisheries sector in 2018-19 stood at an impressive ₹2,12,915 crores, constituting 1.24% of India’s total National GVA and 7.28% of the Agricultural GVA. With an average annual growth rate of 10.88% between 2014-15 and 2018-19, the sector has immense potential to continue expanding.

This is further underscored by India’s fish production figures, which reached an all-time high of 137.58 lakh metric tons in 2018-19, alongside marine product exports worth ₹46,589 crores (USD 6.73 billion). To further leverage this growth and its economic potential, the Government introduced PMMSY with a massive investment of ₹20,050 crores, aimed at addressing gaps in fish production, post-harvest management, and technological advancements, while also promoting social security and improving the welfare of fishers.

Functioning

PMMSY operates as an umbrella scheme with two major components—Central Sector Scheme (CS) and Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS). These components aim to modernize and enhance the fisheries sector’s value chain, improve quality and traceability, and establish a robust management framework. The scheme prioritizes fish production and productivity, infrastructure development, and the welfare of fishers through various structured interventions.

Central Sector Scheme (CS):

Under the CS component, 100% of the funding is provided by the Central Government for projects of national importance. This includes modernizing infrastructure, introducing advanced technologies such as Recirculatory Aquaculture Systems (RAS), Biofloc, and Aquaponics, and enhancing traceability and quality control.

Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS):

The CSS component is further divided into non-beneficiary and beneficiary-oriented sub-components. These are implemented by states, with financial contributions from both the Central and State governments in the ratio of 60:40 for general states and 90:10 for the northeastern and Himalayan states. The scheme promotes activities such as fish farming, hatchery development, seed stocking, and enhancing post-harvest infrastructure. It also aims to foster growth clusters for fisheries, wherein backward and forward linkages are created to encourage economies of scale and more organized sectoral development.

Another major initiative within PMMSY is the development of Integrated Fisheries Development Plans at the district level, which are consolidated into state-level plans. These plans will focus on water management, spatial planning, and implementing species diversification programs for high-value species like sea bass, shrimp, and mud crab. Additionally, the scheme includes provisions for promoting seaweed and ornamental fish cultivation, particularly in the coastal regions, which will help diversify and expand income sources for fishers.

Fisheries Management Framework

For the first time, PMMSY introduces a well-structured implementation framework that operates down to the district and sub-district levels. It mandates the formation of State and District Programme Units, responsible for implementing district-level fisheries plans under the supervision of local authorities like District Collectors. This is expected to improve coordination, planning, and resource optimization.

The scheme also emphasizes technology infusion and quality improvement from “catch to consumer,” ensuring that fish products adhere to international standards. These improvements will help elevate India’s fish exports and make them more competitive in global markets.

Moreover, PMMSY promotes entrepreneurship by creating opportunities for start-ups, business incubators, and innovative projects in fisheries and aquaculture. The focus on private sector involvement is intended to encourage the formation of Fish Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs) and cooperatives, giving small-scale farmers better bargaining power and access to markets.

Impact

The ambitious targets set under PMMSY are expected to significantly transform the fisheries sector. The scheme is anticipated to increase India’s fish production from 13.75 million metric tons in 2018-19 to 22 million metric tons by 2024-25. This would result in a sustained annual growth rate of 9%, enhancing the contribution of fisheries to the Agricultural GVA from 7.28% in 2018-19 to 9% by 2024-25.

The impact of PMMSY can be observed through its wide-reaching initiatives:

  1. Increased Fish Production: With improved technology and infrastructure, the national average productivity in aquaculture is expected to rise from 3 tonnes to 5 tonnes per hectare. This will directly contribute to doubling the incomes of fishers and fish farmers.
  2. Export Growth: Marine product exports are expected to double, from ₹46,589 crores in 2018-19 to ₹1,00,000 crores by 2024-25.
  3. Employment Generation: PMMSY is projected to create 15 lakh direct jobs and an additional 45 lakh indirect employment opportunities along the value chain.
  4. Reduction in Post-Harvest Losses: The scheme targets reducing post-harvest losses from 20-25% to about 10%, which will improve income realization and efficiency in the supply chain.
  5. Enhanced Fish Consumption: Domestic per capita fish consumption is expected to increase from 5 kg to 12 kg by 2024-25, contributing to improved nutrition and food security.
  6. Social Security and Insurance: A significant new provision under PMMSY is insurance coverage for fishers and fishing vessels. This includes a minimum financial allocation for welfare schemes that cover enhanced insurance and support during the fishing ban period, providing economic stability for fishing communities.
  7. Targeted Development in Special Areas: PMMSY has allocated resources for specific regions such as Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, the Northeast, and saline-alkaline areas of northern India, promoting local fisheries in these regions.

Way Forward

The success of PMMSY hinges on multi-level coordination between the Central Government, State Governments, and private stakeholders. By leveraging existing schemes such as the Sagarmala Project, PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana, and MGNREGS, the PMMSY framework aims to optimize the use of financial and natural resources. One critical aspect of ensuring this success will be the active involvement of local governance structures in implementing district-level plans tailored to regional needs.

To enhance the productivity and sustainability of India’s fisheries sector, future policy directions should include:

  1. Continued Investment in Technology: Investments in innovative technologies such as Biofloc and RAS should be expanded. This will help increase production without putting additional pressure on natural water bodies.
  2. Promoting Climate Resilience: Given the growing threat of climate change, the scheme must further integrate climate resilience strategies to protect coastal and inland fisheries from adverse environmental impacts.
  3. Strengthening Cooperatives and FFPOs: Empowering small-scale fishers through cooperatives and producer organizations will provide them with better access to credit, technology, and markets.
  4. Market Infrastructure: There is a need to develop urban marketing infrastructure, including state-of-the-art fish markets and e-trading platforms, which would increase accessibility and affordability for consumers while benefiting producers.
  5. Extension Services and Skill Development: The role of Sagar Mitras and Fisheries Extension Centers should be strengthened to provide technical guidance, training, and awareness to fishers, ensuring they can adopt best practices and modern technologies.

The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana represents a holistic and ambitious policy aimed at transforming India’s fisheries sector into a sustainable and highly productive industry. With proper implementation and consistent monitoring, the scheme has the potential to achieve its goals of increasing fish production, doubling fishers’ incomes, and making India a global leader in fisheries exports.

References

About the Contributor: Anamitra Sinha, Policy Research Intern at IMPRI Institute and Master’s student in Development, Policy Planning, and Practice at Tata Institute of Social Science, School of Rural Development, Tuljapur (Off-Campus).

Acknowledgment: This article was reviewed by IMPRI experts and other collaborators.

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