Is the Government Committed to Structured Skill Development for Fish Farmers, Benefiting 22,921 Individuals?
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Key Takeaways
New Delhi, Jan 10 (NationPress) In an effort to empower fishers and fish farmers by improving their technical skills, encouraging the adoption of scientific methods, and ensuring environmentally sustainable practices, the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) highlights the significance of skill development and capacity building as vital components for modernizing the fisheries value chain, the government announced on Saturday.
Over the past six months, a total of 499 training sessions have been conducted, benefiting 22,921 participants under this initiative.
By providing stakeholders with contemporary practices and technologies, the PMMSY is actively empowering fish farmers, entrepreneurs, and related communities, thereby ensuring food security, nutritional wellness, and enhancement of livelihoods.
This initiative improves productivity, minimizes post-harvest losses, and establishes marketing connections through the development of human resources and institutional capabilities.
Initiated by the Department of Fisheries, this program has not only empowered stakeholders but has also set a robust foundation for the future growth and resilience of the fisheries and aquaculture sector.
According to the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, “This initiative will ultimately unlock the potential of the sector, create job opportunities, and contribute to the socio-economic growth of the nation.”
The structured roadmap for training and capacity-building programs for 2025–2027 includes training sessions, exposure visits, and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
With the rapid advancement in aquaculture technologies and a growing demand for quality fish products, structured training encompasses areas of Pre-production, Production, and Post-Production, focusing on hatchery operations, advanced grow-out techniques, integrated/composite fish culture, fish health management, feed formulation, seaweed cultivation, and value-added fish processing.
In this context, the Department of Fisheries has allocated a financial component of Rs 2.93 crore through the National Fisheries Development Board, Hyderabad, which serves as the Nodal Implementing agency for Training and Capacity Building Programs under PMMSY and PM-MKSSY.
Special emphasis is placed on modern systems such as Recirculatory Aquaculture System (RAS), Biofloc, cage culture, and ornamental fish breeding, enabling fish farmers to diversify and expand their operations, stated the ministry.