New Delhi: Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Rajeev Ranjan Singh, alias Lalan Singh, unveiled a series of initiatives today aimed at transforming India’s fisheries sector and bolstering the nation’s blue economy. The announcements were made during the celebration of the 4th anniversary of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) in New Delhi. Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and Minority Affairs, George Kurian, was also present at the event.
The event witnessed participation from key stakeholders, including Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary of the Department of Fisheries, and Sagar Mehra, Joint Secretary (Inland Fisheries), along with senior officers from various states, union territories, and delegations from France, Russia, Australia, Norway, and Chile. The event was held in hybrid mode, with beneficiaries, fishermen, fish farmers, startups, and entrepreneurs joining from across the country.
One of the key highlights of the event was the launch of the National Fisheries Development Program (NFDP) Portal by the Union Minister. This digital platform aims to centralize information and services for stakeholders in the fisheries sector. Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY), a sub-scheme of PMMSY, the NFDP portal will provide digital identities for fish workers and enterprises, facilitating access to institutional credit, performance grants, and aquaculture insurance.
Singh also distributed registration certificates to several beneficiaries, including fishermen from Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, and Andhra Pradesh, underscoring the government’s commitment to fostering inclusivity in the sector.
Singh announced the establishment of three specialized fisheries production and processing clusters focusing on Pearl cultivation, Ornamental fisheries, and Seaweed cultivation. These clusters will promote innovation and collaboration, driving both production and market reach.
Additionally, guidelines were released for developing 100 coastal villages into Climate-Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages (CRCFVs). With an allocation of ₹200 crore, this initiative will focus on sustainable fishing practices and climate-smart livelihoods, ensuring socio-economic stability for fishing communities in coastal regions.
In a move toward integrating technology in the fisheries sector, the Minister unveiled a pilot project on the use of drone technology for fish transportation. Conducted by the Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI), this project aims to explore how drones can enhance efficiency in inland fisheries management.
The event also saw the notification of a Mandapam Regional Centre of the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI) as a Centre of Excellence for promoting seaweed farming and research. This Centre will focus on refining farming techniques, establishing seed banks, and ensuring sustainable seaweed cultivation practices.
The Union Minister also highlighted the establishment of three incubation centres to promote 100 fisheries startups, cooperatives, and Fish Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs). These centres will be hosted at leading institutions, including MANAGE in Hyderabad, ICAR-CIFE in Mumbai, and ICAR-CIFT in Kochi, supporting innovation and entrepreneurship within the sector.
In addition, Priority Projects worth ₹721.63 crore were announced, including the development of five Integrated Aqua Parks in Assam, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Tripura, and Nagaland. Two World-Class Fish Markets will be established in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam to enhance market access, and three Smart and Integrated Fishing Harbors will be built in Gujarat, Puducherry, and Daman & Diu to improve post-harvest management.
The Minister released a booklet on the Promotion of Indigenous Species and the Conservation of State Fish, noting that 22 out of 36 states/UTs have adopted or declared their state fish, contributing to biodiversity conservation efforts.
Singh emphasized that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government is focused on the development and welfare of three crore fisheries stakeholders. “We need to move ahead to achieve the targets of Viksit Bharat @2047,” he said, highlighting the importance of PMMSY as the highest-ever investment in India’s fisheries sector, amounting to ₹20,050 crore.
The event demonstrated the government’s commitment to fostering sustainable growth and livelihood opportunities within the fisheries sector. George Kurian praised the achievements of the PMMSY scheme and reaffirmed the government’s dedication to closing sectoral gaps and ensuring equitable growth.