Brief understanding of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)

Dr Dipak Nath *

The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) is an umbrella scheme with two separate components namely Central Sector Scheme (CS) and Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS).

The CSS Component is further segregated into Non-beneficiary oriented and beneficiary orientated subcomponents/activities under the three broad heads, viz., Enhancement of Production and Productivity, Infrastructure and Post-harvest Management and Fisheries Management and Regulatory Framework.

PMMSY will be implemented in all the States and Union Territories for a period of 5 years from FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25. The Aims and Objectives of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) 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 & exports;
(f) Social, physical and economic security for fishers and fish farmers and
(g) Robust fisheries management and regulatory framework.

The PMMSY would be implemented through the following agencies:
(i) Central Government and its entities including National Fisheries Development Board,
(ii) State/UT Governments and their entities,
(iii) State Fisheries Development Boards,
(iv) Any other End Implementing Agencies as decided by Department of Fisheries.

The Intended Beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana are:
(i) Fishers,
(ii) Fish farmers,
(iii) Fish workers and Fish vendors,
(iv) Fisheries Development corporations,
(v) Self Help Groups (SHGs)/Joint Liability Groups (JLGs) in fisheries sector,
(vi) Fisheries cooperatives,
(vii) Fisheries federations,
(viii) Entrepreneurs and private firms,
(ix) Fish Farmers Producer Organizations/Companies (FFPOs/Cs)
(x) SCs/STs/ Women/Differently abled persons,
(xi) State Governments/UTs and their entities including,
(xii) State Fisheries Development Boards (SFDB) and
(xiii) Central Government and its entities.

The funding pattern of the scheme are: Central Sector Scheme (CS)-
(a) The entire project/unit cost will be borne by the Central Government (i.e. 100% Central funding),
(b) Wherever direct beneficiary oriented i.e. individual/ group activities are undertaken by the entities of Central Government including National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), the Central assistance will be up to 40% of the unit/project cost for General category and 60% for SC/ST/Women category.

Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS)- For the Nonbeneficiary orientated sub-components/activities under CSS component to be implemented by the States/ UTs, the entire project/unit cost will be shared between Centre and State are
(a) North Eastern & Himalayan States: 90% Central share and 10% State share.
(b) Other States: 60% Central share and 40% State share,
(c) Union Territories (with legislature and without legislature): 100% Central share.

For the Beneficiary orientated i.e. individual/group activities sub-components/activities under CSS component to be implemented by the States/UTs, the Government financial assistance of both Centre and State/UTs Governments together will be limited to 40% of the project/ unit cost for General category and 60% of the project/ unit cost for SC/ST/Women.

The Government financial assistance will in turn be shared between Centre and State/UTs in the ratio (a) The North Eastern & the Himalayan States: 90% Central share and 10% State share, (b) Other States: 60% Central share and 40% State share and (c) Union Territories (with legislature and without legislature): 100% Central share (No UT Share).

The Institutional Framework at State/UT and District Level are- District Level Committee (DLC): (i) PMMSY provides constitution of District Level Committee (DLC) headed by District Collector/Deputy Commissioner of the District at the district level for preparation and approval of Annual District Fisheries Plan, smooth implementation, supervision and monitoring of PMMSY,

(ii) Wherever considered essential, a District Program Unit (DPU) would be created with necessary support structure for assisting the district fisheries establishment and the DLC in implementation of PMMSY,

(iii) Besides, wherever required, for assisting the DPU, necessary institutional arrangements at sub-district level would be created. The district’s fisheries potential, fisher’s population, backwardness etc. would be some of the criteria for identification of districts for establishing such institutional arrangements,

(iv) The State Governments/UTs will constitute the DLC at the potential districts as per the model Composition, Terms of References and other terms and conditions of the DLC.

Approval and Monitoring Committee (SLAMC): (i) A State Level Approval and Monitoring Committee (SLAMC) in each State headed by the senior most Secretary in-charge of Department of Fisheries of States will be constituted for smooth implementation of PMMSY including its supervision and monitoring,

(ii) The SLAMC will consolidate all district plans, prepare a State/UT Fisheries Annual Action Plan, approve the same including the projects/ proposals as per the guidelines, pattern of assistance and cost norms of PMMSY and recommend for taking up under PMMSY,

(iii) The SLAMC approval of the State fisheries Plans, fisheries development proposals and overall responsible for smooth implementation, supervision and monitoring of PMMSY at State/UT level,

(iv) At the State level a State Program Unit (SPU) [for Union Territories Union Territory Program Unit (UTPU)] would be created with necessary support structure for assisting the State/UT fisheries establishment and the SLAMC in implementation of PMMSY.

In order to consolidate outcomes and save public resources, PMMSY envisages suitable linkages and convergence with various Central Government schemes wherever feasible. Some of the identified central schemes for Linkages and Convergence Frameworks envisaged under PMMSY with the schemes/ sub-schemes being undertaken by Ministries/ Departments are:

(a) Sagarmala Programme of the Ministry of Shipping for fishing harbours/fish landing centers and any other admissible activities,
(b) Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana of Ministry of Food Processing Industries for post-harvest and cold chain facilities etc,
(c) Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) for ponds construction and water bodies development etc,
(d) Rastriya Krishi Vikas Yojana and other schemes of Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare for pond construction and other admissible activities,
(e) National Rural Livelihoods Mission for admissible activities and marketing,
(f) Schemes of Department of Commerce for modernization/construction of fishing harbours and other admissible activities, promotion and doubling of fisheries exports, certification, traceability, branding, etc. in association with Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA),
(g) Kisan Credit Card (KCC) of Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare to meet the working capital requirement of fishers and fish farmers for production and productivity related activities, (h) Promotion of Fish Farmers Producer Organizations/ Companies (FFPOs/Cs) through PMMSY and Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare wherever possible, to economically empower the fishers and fish farmers and enhance their bargaining power,

(i) Technology demonstration, Genetic improvement and Nucleus Breeding Centers in collaboration with Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and Department of Commerce (MPEDA),
(j) Ministry of Earth Sciences, Indian National Center for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) for Potential Fishing Zones (PFZ) advisories and devices,
(k) Ministry of Home Border Management for coastal security, Monitoring Control and Surveillance (MCS) related activities including Biometric cards, etc,
(l) Department of SpaceISRO for MCS activities including satellite-based communication and/or tracking devices such as transponders and
(m) Ministry of Jal Shakti various issues concerning water management and utilization.

An investment of Rs 20050 Crore under PMMSY is the highest ever in Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector. Therefore, the PMMSY sets an ambitious target. The Anticipated Outcomes on account of implementation of PMMSY in quantifiable terms are:
(a) The fish production is likely to be enhanced from 13.75 million metric tons (2018-19) to 22 million metric tons by 2024- 25,
(b) A sustained average annual growth of about 9% in fish production is expected,
(c) An increase in the contribution of GVA of fisheries sector to the Agriculture GVA from 7.28% in 2018- 19 to about 9% by 2024-25,
(d) Double export earnings from the present Rs.46,589 crores (2018-19) to about Rs.1,00,000 crores by 2024-25,
(e) Enhancement of productivity in aquaculture from the present national average of 3 tons to about 5 tons per hectare,
(f) Reduction of post-harvest losses from the reported 20-25% to about 10%,
(g) Doubling of incomes of fishers and fish farmers,
(h) Generation of about 15 lakhs direct gainful employment opportunities and thrice the number as indirect employment opportunities along the supply and value chain,
(i) Enhancement of the domestic fish consumption from about 5 kg to about 12 kg per capita and
(j) Encouragement of pivate investment and facilitation of growth of entrepreneurship in the fisheries sector.