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Introduction: Transforming Challenges into Opportunities

Marking five years of impact on 10th September 2025 since its launch on 10th September 2020, PMMSY has been working towards making the fisheries sector ecologically healthy, economically viable and socially inclusive by addressing critical gaps in production and productivity, quality, technology infusion, and post-harvest infrastructure. Over these five years, it has continued to inspire success stories across India.

One such story is that of Shri Kapil Talwar from Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand, who turned a career setback caused by the COVID-19 pandemic into a thriving success. A native of Khatima block, he established the district’s largest biofloc fish farming unit under PMMSY during FY 2020-21. With 40% subsidy from the scheme and technical guidance from the Department of Fisheries, Uttarakhand, he set up 50 tanks, stocked with Pangasius and Singhi.

His nursery, complete with a hospital tank produced 50,000 Pangasius. He has also pioneered ornamental aquaculture in Northern India. Setting up the biofloc unit not only revived Mr. Talwar’s livelihood but also enabled seven people from his area (five men and two women) to earn a decent livelihood as a result of this initiative. With support from Dept. of Fisheries, he also mentors rural women in sustainable fishery practices. This story is a vivid demonstration of PMMSY’s potential to transform lives at the grassroots level.

Background: From Approval to Extension

Recognising the vast growth opportunities in the fisheries sector and the need for dedicated focus, the Government announced PMMSY in the Union Budget 2019–20, to address critical gaps across fish production and productivity, quality, technology infusion, post-harvest infrastructure and management, value chain modernization, traceability, and welfare of fishers. It was approved by the Cabinet on 20^th May 2020 as a landmark initiative to usher in the “Blue Revolution” in India’s fisheries sector.

The scheme was formally launched by the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying on 10^th September, 2020 with National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) as nodal agency for implementing the training, awareness and capacity-building programmes under PMMSY. The scheme was approved with a total investment size of ₹20,050 crore. This included ₹9,407 crore from the central government, ₹4,880 crore from state governments and ₹5,763 crore as contribution from beneficiaries for a period of five years from 2020-21 to 2024-25.

The scheme has now been extended up to 2025–26.  Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure has agreed to the extension of PMMSY up to financial year 2025-26 as per the existing scheme design and funding pattern. As of 22 July 2025, the Department of Fisheries has approved fisheries development projects worth ₹21,274.16 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana. These approvals are based on proposals received from State Governments, Union Territories and various implementing agencies. Out of the approved amount, the central share stands at ₹9,189.79 crore. So far, ₹5,587.57 crore has been released to different States, Union Territories and other agencies for the implementation of these projects.

Structure and Components

The PMMSY is an umbrella scheme with two separate components as below:

(a) Central Sector Scheme (CS): Fully funded and implemented by the Central Government

(b) Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS): Partially supported by the Central Government and implemented by the states.

The Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) Component is further segregated into non-beneficiary-oriented and beneficiary-orientated sub-components/ activities under the following three broad heads:

1. Enhancement of Production and Productivity
2. Infrastructure and Post-harvest Management
3. Fisheries Management and Regulatory Framework

 Vision and Objectives

The aims and objectives of the scheme are:

(a) Harnessing of fisheries potential in a sustainable, responsible, inclusive and equitable manner

(b) Enhancing of fish production and productivity through expansion, intensification, diversification and productive utilization of land and water

(c) Modernizing and strengthening of value chain - post-harvest management and quality improvement

(d) Doubling fishers and fish farmers’ incomes and generation of employment

(e) Enhancing contribution to Agriculture GVA and exports

(f) Social, physical and economic security for fishers and fish farmers

(g) Robust fisheries management and regulatory framework

Benefits At a Glance

Milestones and Achievements

PMMSY has significantly transformed India’s fisheries sector, driving growth, sustainability, and inclusivity.

• 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.

In addition to these milestones, PMMSY has also delivered notable achievements against its core targets as follows:

Key Initiatives under PMMSY

Building Climate Resilience through Technology

Under PMMSY, the Department of Fisheries has identified 100 coastal fishermen villages as Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages (CRCFV) to strengthen climate resilience and make them economically vibrant.  Technology adoption has been scaled up with establishment of 52,058 reservoir cages, 22,057 Recirculatory Aquaculture System (RAS) & Biofloc units and raceways and 1,525 sea cages approved with a total investment of ₹3,040.87 crore.

Biofloc Technology

Biofloc Technology is a sustainable aquaculture method that recycles nutrients in water using beneficial microbes. These microbes form clumps called biofloc, which serve as natural feed and also help clean the water. This method requires little or no water exchange, making it ideal for high-density fish farming with minimal resources. It boosts productivity while being environmentally friendly, earning it the name “green soup” or “heterotrophic ponds” in aquaculture circles.

To apply for government support, beneficiaries need to:

• Prepare a detailed project report that includes:

• Species of fish to be cultured
• Capital and recurring costs
• Proof of land ownership or a registered lease for at least seven years
• Employment and production benefits
• Timeline for implementation

• Submit the project report along with the required documents to the District Fisheries Office for further processing.

Under the scheme, beneficiaries can get government assistance as follows:

• For ponds:
  • An individual can receive support for up to 2 units of 0.1 hectare
  • Groups or societies can get support as 2 units of 0.1 ha multiplied by the number of members of the group/society with a ceiling of 20 units of 0.1 ha per group
  • For tanks:
    • An individual can receive support for one large, one medium, or one small tank setup
    • Groups or societies can receive support for up to 2 large, 3 medium, or 4 small tank setups

For Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs), the implementation details and area ceilings are decided by the concerned authority.

Strengthening Post-Harvest and Marketing Ecosystems

Additionally, 2,195 fisheries cooperatives as Fish Farmers Producer Organizations (FFPOs) have been supported with a project outlay of ₹544.85 crore, enabling better market linkages, bargaining power, and sustainable value chains for higher returns.

PM-MKSSY: Strengthening Value Chains and Resilience

Digital Transformation through NFDP Portal

As part of PM-MKSSY, the National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP) was launched on 11^th September 2024, providing a single-window system for accessing scheme benefits.

The platform aims to formalise the fisheries and aquaculture sector by creating work-based digital identities for all stakeholders. It is also building a centralised database of fishers, fish farmers, cooperatives, enterprises and other value chain actors.

NFDP helps beneficiaries access institutional credit, aquaculture insurance, traceability systems and performance-linked incentives. It also supports the strengthening of fisheries cooperatives and provides training and capacity-building opportunities. As of 8^th September 2025, the portal has crossed 2.7 million registrations.

Conclusion

Five years of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana have turned intent into impact- delivering record fish production of 195 lakh tonnes, creating 58 lakh livelihoods, empowering 99,018 women, and building climate-smart, market-ready value chains. The scheme has strengthened India’s role in global fisheries while ensuring inclusive growth, livelihood opportunities, and technological transformation across the sector. With its record achievements and forward-looking initiatives, PMMSY continues to drive the “Blue Revolution” towards a sustainable and resilient future.

References:

National Fisheries Development Board

• https://nfdb.gov.in/PDF/Kapil%20Talwar_Uttarakhand%20Success%20Story%20.pdf#:~:text=From%20Survival%20to%20Revival%3A%20During,required%20fund%20out%20of%20his
• https://www.nfdb.gov.in/PDF/Biofloc%20booklet%20v6.pdf

Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying

• https://www.myscheme.gov.in/schemes/pmmsy  
• https://dof.gov.in/schemes/pmmkssy#
• https://nfdp.dof.gov.in/nfdp/#/
• https://dof.gov.in/launch-pmmsy-honble-prime-minister-10092020

PIB Press Releases

• https://dof.gov.in/sites/default/files/2020-08/PressReleasebyPIBonPradhanMantriMatsyaSampadaYojanaon20-05-2020.pdf#:~:text=fisheries%20sector%20in%20India%E2%80%9D%20with,25%20in%20all%20States%2FUnion%20Territ
• https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2101775#:~:text=As%20the%20approved%20time%20period,approved%20by%20the%20Union%20Cabinet
• https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2143904#:~:text=Shri%20George%20Kurian%2C%20Minister%20of,more%20prosperous%20and%20sustainable%20future
• https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2157844
• https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2117253
• https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2112266
• https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2158313

PIB Backgrounder

• https://www.pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?NoteId=152138&ModuleId=3
• https://www.pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?id=155080&NoteId=155080&ModuleId=3
  
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