Speed Post News Network
Patna :: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will digitally launch the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) on September 10, 2020. The Prime Minister will also launch e-Gopala App, a comprehensive breed improvement marketplace and information portal for direct use of farmers. Several other initiatives in the fisheries and animal husbandry sectors in Bihar will also be launched by the Prime Minister on the occasion.
The Governor and Chief Minister of Bihar, along with Union Minister and MoS for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, will also be present on the occasion.
The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana is a flagship scheme for focused and sustainable development of fisheries sector in the country at an estimated investment of Rs 20,050 crore for its implementation during a period of 5 years from FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25 in all States/Union Territories, as a part of AatmaNirbhar Bharat Package.
The investment of Rs 20,050 crore under PMMSY is the highest ever in the fisheries sector. Out of this, an investment of about Rs 12,340 crore is proposed for beneficiary-oriented activities in Marine, Inland fisheries and Aquaculture, and about Rs 7,710 crore investment for Fisheries Infrastructure, according to a PIB release.
PMMSY aims at enhancing fish production by an additional 70 lakh tonne by 2024-25 increasing fisheries export earnings to Rs 1,00,000 crore by 2024-25, doubling of incomes of fishers and fish farmers, reducing post-harvest losses from 20-25% to about 10% and generation of additional 55 lakh direct and indirect gainful employment opportunities in fisheries sector and allied activities.
PMMSY scheme primarily focuses on adopting ‘Cluster or Area based approaches’ and creation of Fisheries clusters through backward and forward linkages. Special focus will be given for employment generation activities such as seaweed and ornamental fish cultivation. It emphasises on interventions for quality brood, seed and feed, special focus on species diversification, critical infrastructure, marketing networks etc.
PMMSY in Bihar envisages an investment of Rs 1,390 crore with Central Share of Rs 535 crore and the additional fish production target pegged at 3 lakh tons. During the current financial year (2020-21), Government of India has sanctioned the proposal of Government of Bihar at a total project cost of Rs 107.00 crore for major components like establishment of Re-circulatory Aquaculture System (RAS), construction of Biofloc ponds for aquaculture, finfish hatcheries, construction of new ponds for aquaculture, Ornamental fish culture units, installation of Cages in reservoirs/wetlands, Ice plants, refrigerated vehicles, motor cycle with ice box, three wheeler with ice box, cycle with ice box, fish feed plants, extension and support services (Matsya Seva Kendra), and establishment of a Brood Bank, etc.
Prime Minister will announce the establishment of Fish Brood Bank at Sitamarhi and of Aquatic Disease Referral Laboratory at Kishanganj for which assistance has been provided under PMMSY. These facilities will help in enhancing production and productivity of fish by ensuring timely availability of quality and affordable fish seed for the fish farmers and address the need for disease diagnosis as well as water and soil testing facilities.
He will inaugurate one-unit fish feed mill at Madhepura and two units of ‘Fish on Wheels’ assisted at Patna under Blue Revolution. He will also interact with the beneficiaries on the occasion.
The Prime Minister will also inaugurate the Comprehensive Fish Production Technology Centre at Dr Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar. The Center, with facilities for Seed production technology and demonstration unit technology for fish, referral laboratory and diagnostic testing, will facilitate in boosting fish production and assist in capacity building of fish farmers. e-Gopala App is a comprehensive breed improvement marketplace and information portal for direct use of farmers.
The Prime Minister will inaugurate Semen Station with state of the art facilities, which has been established under Rashtriya Gokul Mission in Purnia, Bihar, with an investment of Rs 84.27 crore on 75 acres of land made available by the State Government of Bihar. The PM will also inaugurate IVF lab established at Animal Sciences University, Patna, under Rashtriya Gokul Mission. He will also launch use of sex sorted semen in artificial insemination under Rashtriya Gokul Mission by Barauni Milk Union in Begusarai district of Bihar.