In commemoration of World Fisheries Day on November 21, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the ‘Mukhyamantri Maschyajibi Kalyan Yojana’ (MMKY) in Bhubaneswar. The scheme, encompassing 16 programs, aims to allocate Rs 448 crore this year for the welfare and development of fishermen. During the launch, the Chief Minister encouraged fishermen, pisciculture farmers, and women self-help groups to utilize the scheme’s benefits for their progress and contribute to the prosperity of the state and the nation.
Chief Minister Patnaik emphasized the abundant water resources in the state and expressed the goal of fully utilizing these resources for economic development. The primary objectives of the MMKY include boosting fish production, generating employment opportunities, empowering women, and overall economic development. Implemented under the 5T initiative, the scheme is anticipated to benefit more than 11,000 women self-help groups, 50,000 pisciculture farmers, and over one lakh fishermen.
Highlighting the advancements in fisheries development, Patnaik noted a fourfold increase in fish production over the past two decades and cited the state’s achievement of self-reliance in fish oil production. Odisha has played a pioneering role by introducing the Odisha Fisheries Policy 2015 and Odisha Reservoir Fisheries Policy 2012, aiming to enhance fish production.
Minister of Fisheries and Animal Resources, Ranendra Pratap Swain, provided detailed insights into the various facets of the scheme during the event. Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena, Development Commissioner Anu Garg, Co-operation Department Commissioner-Cum-Secretary Aravind Agrawal, and other senior officials were present at the program. District Collectors and fishermen from various districts also virtually participated in the launch, marking a significant step towards transforming the state’s fisheries sector.
