How is PMMSY Changing Lives in Ramgarh, Jharkhand?

Ramgarh (Jharkhand), Sep 10 (NationPress) As the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) marks its fifth anniversary, its influence is resonating throughout India, particularly in the Ramgarh district of Jharkhand. Initiated on September 10, 2020, with the goal of transforming the fisheries sector, this program has instigated significant change in rural areas, empowering individuals and invigorating local economies.

A remarkable tale is that of Sajikant Matwa, a local of Ramgarh. Once employed as a daily-wage worker in a mine, Sajikant's life dramatically changed when he embraced fish farming. Backed by a low-interest loan from the PMMSY, he established a fishery business that has become the foundation of his success.

"Before I started fish farming, I struggled to make ends meet. Now, I not only enjoy a reliable income but have also created job opportunities for many in my village," Matwa expressed.

Presently, approximately 60 to 65 villagers are employed alongside him. No longer reliant on external labor jobs, they are earning respectable incomes through local fish farming ventures.

The District Fisheries Department credits this achievement to the incorporation of modern technologies in aquaculture facilitated by the scheme. Techniques such as cage culture, bio-floc systems, and Recirculatory Aquaculture Systems (RAS) are enabling farmers to attain self-sufficiency and enhance productivity.

Ramgarh's District Fisheries Officer, Arup Kumar Chaudhary, shared with IANS: "The PMMSY has revolutionized the sector. It introduced cage culture and bio-floc technology in Ramgarh, provided marketing vehicles, and executed direct benefit transfers (DBT) to over a hundred beneficiaries. This has considerably uplifted the income levels and social status of fish farmers."

In the last five years, fish farming in Ramgarh has transitioned from a conventional practice to a sustainable and profitable enterprise. Farmers are not only improving their earnings but are also able to send their children to better educational institutions, enhancing their quality of life. What once served merely as a means of survival has evolved into a journey toward prosperity and dignity.

The PMMSY, spearheaded by the Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, aims to bridge gaps in fish production, technology adoption, quality assurance, post-harvest infrastructure, and value chain development. It envisions a robust and sustainable fisheries sector that bolsters food security, employment, and economic growth.

Launched with a total investment of Rs 20,050 crore, the PMMSY is being executed across all states and Union Territories for five years (FY 2020-21 to 2024-25). In the Union Budget 2023-24, a new sub-scheme under the PMMSY was announced with an additional Rs 6,000 crore allocation, focusing on empowering fish vendors, small enterprises, and enhancing market access.