30 May PRADHAN MANTRI MATSYA SAMPADA YOJNA (PMMSY)
This article covers “Daily Current Affairs” and the topic details “Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojna”. The topic “Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojna” has relevance in the Food Production and Food Processing for the UPSC CSE exam.
Relevance:
For Prelims:
What is PMMSY?
For Mains:
GS 3: Food production and processing
Significance of PMMSY?
Overview of the Fisheries sector in India.
Challenges in the Fisheries sector in India?
Efforts required to address the challenges?
Why in the news?
Under The Flagship Scheme PMMSY Seven Major Field Studies Are Being Carried Out By National Productivity Council.
What is PMMSY?
PMMSY, launched in 2020 by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying,is a flagship scheme of the Government of India launched to boost the sustainable development of the fisheries sector. The scheme aims to enhance fish production and productivity, increase the incomes of fishers and fish farmers, create employment opportunities, and improve the resilience of the fisheries sector.
Significance of PMMSY?
- Sustainable development of the fisheries sector: The scheme focuses on promoting sustainable and responsible fishing practices, conservation of aquatic resources, and the protection of the environment.
- Modernizing and strengthening the fisheries infrastructure: PMMSY aims to upgrade and develop the fisheries infrastructure including fishing harbors, fish landing centers, fish markets, fish processing units, cold chains, and transportation facilities.
- Increasing fish production and productivity: The scheme aims to enhance fish production by promoting activities such as pisciculture, aquaculture, deep-sea fishing, and mariculture. It encourages the adoption of modern techniques and best practices for increased productivity.
- Promoting entrepreneurship and livelihood opportunities: PMMSY provides support for the establishment of fish farms, hatcheries, and other aquaculture ventures. It aims to create employment opportunities for both skilled and unskilled workers in the fisheries sector.
- Fisheries management and regulatory framework: The scheme focuses on strengthening the fisheries management system by promoting effective governance, regulation, and enforcement of fishing laws. It also aims to promote research and development in the fisheries sector.
- Social, economic, and gender inclusiveness: PMMSY aims to ensure the inclusiveness and participation of marginalized and vulnerable sections of society, including women, in the fisheries value chain. It encourages the formation of self-help groups and cooperatives for better access to resources and markets.
Overview of Fisheries sector in India:
Contribution to the economy:
- The fisheries sector contributes to India’s GDP and provides livelihoods to millions of people.
- India is one of the largest producers of fish globally, both from inland and marine sources.
- In 2019-20, the total fish production in India was around 13.42 million metric tonnes.
Employment generation:
- The fisheries sector is a major source of employment, particularly for coastal communities and rural areas.
- It provides direct and indirect employment to over 16 million people, including fishers, fish farmers, processors, traders, and other related workers.
Export potential:
- India is a significant exporter of fish and fishery products, contributing to foreign exchange earnings.
- Major export products include frozen shrimp, fish fillets, fishmeal, and canned fish.
- India’s seafood exports reached a record high of USD 7.08 billion in 2019-20.
Inland fisheries:
- Inland fisheries, including freshwater aquaculture and capture fisheries, contribute significantly to fish production.
- India has vast water resources, including rivers, lakes, ponds, reservoirs, and canals, which support inland fisheries.
- In 2019-20, inland fish production accounted for around 66% of the total fish production in India.
Marine fisheries:
- The Indian coastline spans about 8,118 kilometers and supports a vibrant marine fisheries sector.
- The marine fisheries sector includes both artisanal and mechanized fishing operations.
- Key marine fish species caught include mackerel, sardines, anchovies, tuna, and prawns.
Challenges in the Fisheries sector in India?
- Overfishing and unsustainable fishing practices: Overfishing, particularly in coastal areas, has depleted fish stocks and disrupted the ecological balance. The use of destructive fishing techniques such as bottom trawling and dynamite fishing further exacerbates the problem.
- Lack of modern infrastructure and technology: The fisheries sector in India suffers from inadequate infrastructure, including fishing harbors, cold storage facilities, and processing units. The lack of modern technology and equipment hampers productivity and value addition.
- Insufficient post-harvest and value addition infrastructure: The absence of proper post-harvest and value addition infrastructure results in significant post-harvest losses. Inadequate cold chain facilities and processing units lead to spoilage and reduced quality of fish products.
- Limited access to credit and insurance: Small-scale fishers and fish farmers often face challenges in accessing formal credit and insurance services. This hinders their ability to invest in modern equipment, infrastructure, and sustainable practices.
- Inadequate research and development: The fisheries sector in India requires focused research and development to address issues such as breeding, disease management, feed technology, and sustainable aquaculture practices. Insufficient investment in research and development limits progress in these areas.
- Climate change and environmental degradation: Climate change impacts, such as rising sea temperatures, ocean acidification, and coastal erosion, affect fish habitats and migration patterns. Environmental degradation, including pollution and habitat destruction, further diminishes fish populations and disrupts ecosystems.
Efforts required to address the challenges?
- Sustainable fishing practices: Promote and enforce sustainable fishing practices such as regulating fishing seasons, implementing catch limits, promoting responsible fishing techniques, and banning destructive practices like bottom trawling and dynamite fishing.
- Modernization of infrastructure and technology: Invest in the development and modernization of fishing harbors, landing centers, storage facilities, processing units, and cold chains. Upgrade fishing vessels with better technology and equipment.
- Post-harvest and value addition infrastructure: Improve post-harvest infrastructure, including cold storage facilities, ice plants, and processing units. Establish quality control measures and encourage value addition activities like fish processing, packaging, and product diversification to minimize post-harvest losses and enhance the value of fish products.
- Access to credit and insurance: Facilitate easy access to formal credit and insurance services for fishers and fish farmers.Promote financial literacy and capacity building to improve financial management skills.
- Research and development: Strengthen research and development activities in the fisheries sector. Invest in scientific research to improve breeding techniques, disease management, feed technology, and sustainable aquaculture practices.
- Climate change resilience: Develop strategies to enhance the resilience of the fisheries sector to climate change. This includes monitoring and addressing the impacts of climate change on fish habitats, promoting climate-smart practices, supporting climate-resilient infrastructure development, and facilitating adaptation measures for fishers and fish farmers.
- Market linkages and price stability: Establish transparent and efficient market linkages for fishers and fish farmers. Strengthen market infrastructure, encourage the formation of producer groups, cooperatives, and self-help groups to improve bargaining power.
Source:
Q.1 Consider the following statements regarding the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY):
1: PMMSY is a flagship scheme launched by the Government of India to enhance fish production, promote modern fishing practices, and ensure sustainable development of the fisheries sector in the country.
2: The scheme aims to provide financial assistance to fish farmers, fishers, and fish entrepreneurs for the construction of fishing harbors, fish landing centers, cold storage facilities, and fish processing units.
3: PMMSY focuses solely on freshwater fisheries and does not include any provisions for the development of marine fisheries or coastal aquaculture.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a)1 and 2 only
(b)1 and 3 only
(c)1 only
(d)1,2 and 3
Answer(a)
Q.2 Consider the following statements regarding the fisheries sector in India:
1: The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) is responsible for the regulation and promotion of the marine products export industry in India.
2: The National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) is the nodal agency for fishery development in India, focusing primarily on the inland fisheries sector.
3: The Blue Revolution is an initiative launched by the Government of India to enhance the productivity and profitability of the fisheries sector in the country.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a)1 only
(b)1 and 3 only
(c)1 and 2 only
(d)1,2 and 3
Answer:(b)
Q.3 “Discuss the challenges and potential of the fisheries sector in India, and examine the measures needed to promote sustainable development and enhance the socio-economic well-being of fishing communities. Support your answer with suitable examples and policy recommendations.” (15 marks)
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