How are Neemuch fishermen benefiting from the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana?

Neemuch, Sep 12 (NationPress) In Madhya Pradesh’s Neemuch district, local fishermen are experiencing significant and direct advantages from the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), a premier initiative designed to bolster the fisheries sector and enhance the livelihoods of its participants.

Initiated on September 10, 2020, with a comprehensive investment of Rs 20,050 crore, PMMSY is being rolled out across all states and Union Territories over a five-year period (FY 2020-21 to 2024-25). In the Union Budget 2023-24, the government introduced a sub-scheme under PMMSY, allocating an additional Rs 6,000 crore to support fish vendors, small businesses, and improve market access.

In Neemuch, various fisheries cooperative societies are leveraging the scheme effectively. Subsidies between 40 percent and 60 percent are being provided to small fishermen for acquiring motorcycles, bicycles, and three-wheeled auto-rickshaws equipped with ice boxes, essential for the safe transport of fish.

Moreover, through the “Savings cum Relief Scheme,” a financial assistance of Rs 3,000 is directly credited to the bank accounts of eligible members during the fishing ban period.

Thanks to PMMSY, innovative measures have been implemented to increase fish production. The Jai Joganiya Matsya Sahakari Samiti has, for the first time, established two pen catcher units at the Naya Purana Dam in the Ratangarh area of Neemuch. Additionally, four new cage culture units have been introduced in the district to boost productivity and strengthen the financial base of local fishermen’s committees.

In an interview with IANS, Devchand Shah Inwati, District Fisheries Officer, remarked: "Under PMMSY, we've supplied motorcycles and rickshaws with ice boxes to our fishermen, facilitating better transport and sale of fish. The introduction of cage culture and pen catcher units is further enhancing fish productivity and fortifying the economic foundation of our cooperative societies."

Gopal Das, Secretary of the Jai Joganiya Fisheries Cooperative Society in Manpura village, shared with IANS: "We obtained a 10-year lease for the Naya-Purana pond, located 60 km from Neemuch, for fish farming. Under PMMSY, we received Rs 3.6 lakh for a pen catcher unit spanning 2 hectares. We also established a cage culture unit. We are genuinely grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for this support."

Motilal, another member, expressed how PMMSY has revolutionized their daily activities: "We received a motorcycle and an ice box under the scheme, significantly easing fish transport and sales. Thanks to PM Modi, this initiative has greatly boosted our income."

Another member, Shantilal, added: "We catch and sell fish in nearby areas. With the motorcycle and box provided under PMMSY, our tasks have become more manageable, leading to better pricing. We are sincerely thankful to the government for this assistance."