Though there is no targets set for Primary Fishery Cooperative Societies in the National Cooperation Policy (NCP) 2025, the Department of Fisheries, Government of India through the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), under PMMSY (Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana) Scheme, is facilitating the formation of 6,000 new Fisheries Cooperative Societies (FCS) during 2024-25 to 2028-29. The initiative intends to provide the newly formed fisheries cooperative societies with financial support of Rs 3.00 lakh towards establishment, maintenance, training of members. In Raigarh District, during 2024-25, 18 new fisheries cooperatives have been formed and supported with financial grant of Rs 3.00 lakh each.

Further, the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) is also an implementing agency for strengthening of 1,000 Primary Fisheries Cooperative Societies (PFCS) as FFPOs under the Central Sector component of PMMSY in all Coastal States and Union Territories. Under this initiative, NCDC has strengthened 18 PFCS as FFPOs in Raigad district.

Under the Blue Revolution, the NFDB in coordination with the Department of Fisheries had prepared an Action Plan from 2016 to 2020 – “Mission Blue Revolution: Integrated National Fisheries”, wherein Maharashtra was included under the Integrated National Fisheries Action Plan:

1. In the Inland segment, 0.72 lakh ha ponds were taken up to increase fish production from the then level of 1.66 lakh MT to 2.56 lakh MT annually by establishing 48 carp hatcheries and creating 1,650 ha rearing capacity for producing 5,760 lakh fingerlings.
2. In the Marine segment, the focus had been on potential fishery resources, the status of traditional fishing, and development activities in mechanisation, construction of fishing harbours, and other infrastructural facilities.
3. Replacement of trawlers/old fishing boats had been undertaken with deep-sea fishing vessels for sustainable marine fishery resources.
4. In the Brackish water segment, 10 shrimp hatcheries, 01 sea bass hatchery, and 100 ha grow-out ponds for mud crab had been constructed. Additionally, 250 open sea cages had been set up.
5. Post-harvest infrastructure facilities such as fishing harbours and fish landing centres had been constructed.

The timeline for implementation of the plan had been 5 years, and the Department of Fisheries, GoI, had made a total budget provision of ₹8,853.00 lakh. Under PMMSY, Maharashtra had been allocated a total central share of ₹345.00 crore.

 This budget had significantly boosted fish production and exports, strengthened value chains, and enhanced the economic empowerment of fishers, thereby driving the transformation of the blue economy in the state of Maharashtra. The details pertaining to Raigarh had been maintained by the respective State Fisheries Department.

The Department of Fisheries, Government of India, through National Fisheries Development Board, is implementing various schemes to strengthen the fisheries sector and ensure inclusive growth of genuine fishing communities.

1. Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), the financial assistance is being provided upto 60% of the project cost of beneficiary-oriented projects for the Women and Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe members of the fisheries cooperative societies.
2. Further, the sub-scheme of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY), an additional 10% incentives is being extended to Women and Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe, as below:
   • Adoption of aquaculture insurance: Incentive of 50% of the cost of premium for aquaculture insurance purchased for one crop cycle upto ₹25,000 per ha
   • Supporting microenterprises to improve fisheries value chains efficiencies: 35% of total investment or ₹200 lakhs, whichever is lower
   • Adoption and expansion of fish and fishery product safety and quality assurance: 35% of total investment or ₹200 lakhs, whichever is lower
3. Entrepreneur Models in Fisheries and Aquaculture under PMMSY: Up to 30% (with a ceiling of Rs 1.50 crore per project) for SC/ST/Women beneficiaries is being extended.

This information was given by Union Minister for Home and Cooperation Shri Amit Shah in a written reply in Rajya Sabha.

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AK

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