Inspired from an article by: Shri L. Murugan, Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal. Husbandry and Dairying, and Information and Broadcasting, Government of India
As India steers confidently toward becoming the world’s third-largest economy under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country’s fisheries sector has emerged as a driving force in this transformative journey. Thanks to Prime Minister Modi’s ‘Sewa, Sushasan, and Gareeb Kalyan’ (Service, Governance, and Welfare for the Poor) approach, the Indian fisheries sector has evolved into a sunrise industry over the past nine years, propelling India toward a prominent position in the global Blue Economy.
India, blessed with over 8,000 kilometers of coastline, an expansive Exclusive Economic Zone, abundant rivers and reservoirs, and a diligent workforce, has always possessed tremendous potential for fisheries development. However, past neglect, indifference, and policy stagnation prevented its full realization. Reports indicate that from independence until 2014, the Central government allocated a meager sum of less than Rs 4,000 Crore for fisheries development.
It was Prime Minister Narendra Modi who recognized the vast potential of the Blue Economy for India’s fishing communities and initiated systematic development of this sector. Under his leadership, the Central Government introduced a series of reforms through the Blue Revolution Scheme (2015 – Rs 5,000 Crore) and the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (2017 – Rs 7,522 Crore). These initiatives unleashed a flurry of activities in the Indian fisheries sector, creating essential ground-level infrastructure and positively impacting the lives of 2.8 Crore fishermen. Recognizing the sector’s significance, Prime Minister Modi established a dedicated Fisheries Ministry in 2019.
While Indian fisheries were gearing up for significant growth, the world suddenly ground to a halt due to the global Covid-19 pandemic. However, visionary leadership transformed this crisis into an opportunity. In September 2020, the Prime Minister announced the Atmanirbhar Bharat package for the Fisheries sector, introducing the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), a monumental Rs 20,050 Crore investment—the largest in the history of Indian Fisheries.
Thanks to this substantial injection of funds and focused attention, the PMMSY began addressing critical gaps in the fisheries value chain, encompassing fish production, productivity, quality, technology, post-harvest infrastructure, and marketing. The PMMSY identified key strategic priorities, including Marine Fisheries, Inland Fisheries, Fishermen’s welfare, Infrastructure and post-harvest management, cold-water fisheries, ornamental fisheries, aquatic health management, and seaweed cultivation, among others.
Over the past nine years, the sustained efforts of the Central government, in collaboration with central and state government agencies and fishermen, have fundamentally transformed the state of Indian fisheries. Crucial infrastructure, such as more than 107 fishing harbors and fish landing centers essential for safe landing, berthing, and loading/unloading, have been constructed and modernized. The modernization of major fishing harbors in Cochin, Chennai, Mumbai, Vishakhapatnam, and Paradeep is now well underway.
The income of fishermen is directly tied to post-harvest management, encompassing how fish is stored, preserved, transported, and sold. With approvals granted for over 25,000 fish transportation facilities, 6,700 fish kiosks/markets, and 560 cold storages, grassroots fisheries infrastructure has been significantly strengthened.
To mitigate risks and hazardous conditions faced by fishermen in open seas, approvals have been granted for the upgrading of 1,043 existing fishing vessels, replacement of 6,468 boats, 461 deep-sea fishing vessels, and the installation of 1 lakh transponders on marine fishing vessels using satellite-based communication.
The PMMSY has expanded inland fisheries beyond traditional waters, infusing technology and inspiring enterprising youth to venture into fisheries. Today, young women entrepreneurs from the Kashmir valley efficiently rear cold-water rainbow trouts using Recirculatory Aquaculture Systems. Aquapreneurs from Nellore have become successful exporters, thanks to biofloc-cultivated shrimps.
The PMMSY has extended the reach of fisheries to non-traditional areas. Nearly 20,000 hectares of fresh pond area are being converted into inland aquaculture, with farmers in landlocked Haryana and Rajasthan successfully transforming saline wastelands into profitable aquaculture ventures.
The PMMSY has empowered fisherwomen to explore remunerative options and alternative livelihoods, such as ornamental fisheries, pearl culture, and seaweed cultivation. A recently launched Rs 127 Crore Seaweed Park in Ramanathapuram District of Tamil Nadu is a pioneering step by the Modi government.
Seed, feed, and breed are vital components of the fisheries sector. The PMMSY has enabled the establishment of 900 fish feed plants, 755 hatcheries, and is supporting research and genetic improvement of Indian White Shrimp in Chennai, the development of specific pathogen-free brood stock, and the domestication of tiger shrimp in the Andamans.
The welfare of fishermen and fishery entrepreneurs, and their improved quality of life, are central to the Blue Economy’s objectives. Numerous measures, including nutritional support to fishermen during lean and fishing ban periods, integrated coastal village development, Sagar Mitras to assist fishermen, Group Accidental Insurance schemes, and institutional financial support through Kisan Credit Cards, complement the comprehensive development of Indian Fisheries.
The Modi Government’s partnership with Indian fishermen has empowered them, instilling confidence and a sense of pride. Fishermen from across the country were invited to Independence Day Celebrations at Lal Quila, Delhi. This partnership is continually strengthened through direct interactions with Fisheries Minister Shri Parshottam Rupala, who embarked on a unique 8,000-kilometer sea and coastal route journey, known as Sagar Parikrama, to visit fishing villages, meet fishermen, and witness the implementation of policies and projects on the ground.
As we celebrated the third anniversary of the PMMSY a couple of days ago, the transformation of Indian fisheries is evident. India is now among the top three fish and aquaculture production countries and the world’s largest shrimp exporter. The government has recently announced an investment of Rs 6,000 Crores as a sub-scheme under PMMSY, taking the total investment in fisheries to over Rs 38,500 Crores in the past nine years.
Indian Fisheries production (174 lakh tonnes provisional figures for 2022-23) and export earnings have reached all-time highs. The cumulative fish production in the past nine years since 2014 surpasses the production of the preceding thirty years (1984-2014). Shrimp production has surged by 267%, from 3.22 lakh tonnes in 2013-14 to 11.84 lakh tonnes in 2022-23. India’s seafood exports have doubled from Rs 30,213 Crores in 2013-14 to Rs 63,969 Crores in 2022-23.
The fisheries ecosystem developed over the past nine years is maturing rapidly, delivering remarkable results and prosperity to our fishing communities.
FISHERY.NEWS wishes Modi Ji a happy birthday.