PMMSY Trains 22,000+ Fish Farmers Across India

RR Team

1 day ago

The Department of Fisheries has made significant strides in building capacity within India’s fisheries and aquaculture sector under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). Structured training and skill development programs have equipped over 22,000 participants with modern techniques in fish farming, hatchery operations, feed formulation, and value-added processing.

Hon’ble Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh), inaugurated the “Training & Capacity Building Programme Calendar of Fisheries Institutes of ICAR & its Regional Centres” during National Fish Farmers Day on 10 July 2025 at ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA), Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The calendar outlines training sessions, exposure visits, and knowledge-sharing initiatives for 2025–2027, aligning with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

Comprehensive Training and Exposure

These programs empower fishers and farmers by enhancing technical skills, promoting scientific practices, and ensuring environmentally sustainable operations. Trainings cover pre-production, production, and post-production phases, including advanced grow-out techniques, integrated fish culture, fish health management, seaweed cultivation, ornamental fish breeding, and Recirculatory Aquaculture Systems (RAS).

Special focus is given to livelihood-oriented programs such as ornamental fisheries, fish marketing linkages, and women-targeted value-added fish products. Exposure visits across India allow participants to witness advanced aquaculture technologies, improving practical knowledge and productivity.

Implementation and Scale

The Department of Fisheries, through the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB)</strong), has allocated ₹2.93 crore for these training initiatives. Collaborating institutions include ICAR Fisheries Research Institutes, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), Central Institute of Fisheries Nautical and Engineering Training (CIFNET), NIFPHAT, and the Agriculture Skill Council of India (ASCI).

In the past six months alone, 499 training programs were conducted, benefitting 22,921 participants nationwide. Major institutes involved include ICAR-CIFE (Mumbai), ICAR-CIFA (Bhubaneswar), ICAR-CIBA (Chennai), ICAR-CIFT (Kochi), ICAR-CIFRI (Kolkata), and ICAR-CMFRI (Kochi), along with several regional centres and sub-plans targeting Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes.

Impact and Future Outlook

By equipping fishers with modern skills, PMMSY enhances productivity, reduces post-harvest losses, and strengthens marketing linkages. These initiatives contribute to food security, nutritional well-being, and livelihood enhancement while promoting sustainable aquaculture practices.

The Department of Fisheries’ structured training programs are expected to create a skilled workforce capable of adopting innovative aquaculture techniques, thereby unlocking the sector’s potential and contributing to the socio-economic growth of India.