The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has been implementing the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) with an estimated investment of ₹20,050 crore with effect from the financial year 2020-21 for holistic development of fisheries and aquaculture sector in the country for development of fisheries in all States/Union Territories including Bihar.  Under PMMSY, the Department of Fisheries, Government of India has accorded approval for various fisheries developmental activities to the tune of Rs. 547.13 crore with central liability of Rs. 173.65 crore and an amount of Rs.126.14 crore has been released to the Government of Bihar for development of fisheries in the State.  As reported by the Government of Bihar, 4421 beneficiaries have been covered under PMMSY in the state including 107 in Aurangabad district during the last three years while as regards to fish seed farms and hatcheries, Project proposal worth of Rs.15.29 crore for 35 fin fish hatcheries and one Brood Bank has been sanctioned and a sum of Rs.12.84 crore has been utilized in the State.

Since the launch of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) in 2020, India has recorded a substantial rise in both fish production and aquaculture productivity. The total fish production of the country rose from about 141.6 lakh tonnes from the year 2019–20 to 197.75 lakh tonnes in the year 2024–25 with an increase of 38% jump. Similarly, the fish production in Bihar for the year 2024-25 stood at 9.59 lakh tonne and the estimated target for the current year 2025-26 is 10.20 lakh tonne.  

The Department of Fisheries, Government of India has taken several initiatives under its flagship scheme on PMMSY, which primarily focus on holistic development of the fisheries sector by promoting sustainable and responsible aquaculture, enhancing fish production and productivity, strengthening value chains and creating post-harvest infrastructures. The Government is also promoting modern aquaculture practices including biofloc technology, Recirculatory Aquaculture Systems (RAS), cage culture and mariculture, supply of quality fish seed and feed through the establishment of hatcheries, brood banks and feed mills along-with diversification into high-value species.  These initiatives have collectively contributed to increased fish production, improved productivity and enhanced income of fishermen and fish farmers in the country. In addition, to facilitate the access to institution credit by fishers and fish farmers, since 2018-19, Kisan Credit Card facility has been extended to fishers and fish farmers to meet their working capital requirements. Further, under FIDF concessional finance for fishers and fish farmers supported by interest subvention upto 3% has also been made available since 2018-19 for creation and strengthening of fisheries infrastructure such as pond, cage culture, hatchery, feed plant, cold storage, ice plant etc.

This information was given by Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh in the Lok Sabha in response to a question asked.

  ***

JP.