In a written reply to the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, Parshottam Rupala revealed that approximately 45.59 lakh employment opportunities have been fostered through the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). The overarching goal of PMMSY is to create 55 lakh direct and indirect job opportunities between the fiscal years 2020-21 and 2024-25.
Providing a breakdown, Rupala stated, “It is estimated that so far about 45.59 lakh employment opportunities, comprising 11.46 lakh direct and 34.13 lakh indirect, have been created under PMMSY.” The state of Maharashtra, in particular, reported that 3,351 beneficiaries of PMMSY are directly employed, with an additional 1,04,790 individuals engaged indirectly in fishing and related activities.
PMMSY aims not only to generate employment but also to bolster the income of fish farmers. This multifaceted initiative includes strategies to increase fish production, provide quality inputs, manage diseases, establish shelf life for fish and fisheries products, enhance transportation and marketing facilities, and develop effective domestic and overseas strategies.
The update underscores the government’s commitment to the holistic development of the fisheries sector, emphasizing both employment generation and economic empowerment for those involved in the industry.
