(a): The post-harvest infrastructure such as ice plants, cold storages and fish kiosks have been implemented in association with State Governments, Union Territories (UTs) under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme Component of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). The Central fund for implementation of such post harvest infrastructure projects is provided to concerned State Governments and UTs under PMMSY. The post-harvest infrastructure facilities developed under PMMSY and earlier schemes have been contributing in fish preservation, maintaining of fish quality, increase of shelf life of fish & fisheries products for higher price realization to fishers, fish farmers and other associated stakeholders. The recent study title “Assessment of Post Harvest Losses in Inland and Marine Fisheries” conducted through the National Productivity Council (NPC) revealed that the national average of post-harvest losses in inland fisheries has been reduced from 18% (FY 2019-20) to 8.84% (FY 2023-24) and in marine fisheries it is reduced from 21% (FY 2019-20) to 9.3% (FY 2023-24). This study further reported the average national post harvest losses in fisheries sector at 9.16% during 2023-24.
(b): The high resolution, geo-tagged household and infrastructure-level granular digital data collected under the National Marine Fisheries Census facilitate targeted delivery of schemes, identification of vulnerable groups, assessment of infrastructure gaps (harbours, markets, cold chains) and support climate-resilient livelihood-based interventions & evidence-based planning. Further, the geo-referenced digital database is anticipated to strengthen the policy planning for fisheries sector, supports evidence-based infrastructure investments, enhance livelihood initiatives by identifying training needs and improving scheme access to fishing communities. This also facilitate better monitoring of sustainability parameters, shift to digital workflows improves efficiency, accuracy, and transparency in operations.
(c) and (d): The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying recognizing the importance of developing the coastal communities, has taken up a transformative initiative under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) to develop the existing 100 Coastal Fishermen Villages(CFV) situated close to the coastline in all Coastal States and Union Territories(UTs) as Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages(CRCFV) and to make them as economically vibrant fishermen villages. This programme with 100% central funding is implemented through the National Fisheries Development Board. It is reported that proposals of various coastal State Government and Union Territories for development of 95 existing coastal villages as Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages (CRCFVs) at a total cost of Rs.190 crore have been approved and central funds to a tune of Rs.47.50 crore to the State Governments/UTs. The Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages programme inter-alia envisages development of various climate resilient livelihood activities like open sea cage culture, seaweed and bivalve cultivation to create and sustain the alternative livelihood for coastal fishermen.
(e): PMMSY inter-alia supports for creation of cold chain facilities and under this scheme, during the last five years (FY2020-21 to FY2024-25), proposals for development of 734 cold storages and ice plants, 27,301 units of fish transportation facilities such as 10924 motorcycles with ice boxes, 9412 bicycles with ice boxes, 3915 auto rickshaws, 1265 Live fish Vending units, 1406 insulated trucks and 379 refrigerated trucks, 6410 fish Kiosks, 202 fish retail fish markets, 21 wholesale fish markets have been approved. The Government of Karnataka has reported that construction of 20 ice plants/cold storages of various capacities, modernization and up-gradation of a fishing harbour, purchase of 4 refrigerated vehicles, 16 insulated vehicles, 7 three-wheelers with ice boxes and 15 motorcycles with ice boxes have been supported under PMMSY in Dakshina Kannada District of Karnataka.
(f): The Department of Fisheries, Government of India has so far accorded approvals to the proposals of Government of Odisha for development of fisheries and aquaculture including infrastructure at a total cost of Rs.1298.25 crore under PMMSY. This includes development of one fishing harbour, 38 ice plants/cold storages, livelihood support to 68000 fishers families, insurance coverage of 53,91,593 fishers with an average of about 1.08 lakh annually in the State of Odisha. Under the PMMSY scheme, identification of the beneficiaries effectively covering the beneficiaries in various districts and extending the benefits of PMMSY to the eligible beneficiaries is done by the Government of Odisha.
(g): The Department of Fisheries, Government of India is presently implementing Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana and only 100 coastal fishermen villages are identified as of now for development as Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages under this ongoing scheme.
The above answer was given by Shri Rajeev Ranjan Singh alias Lallan Singh, Minister of Fisheries,Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, in response to a question asked in the Lok Sabha.
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