Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)

Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) is a flagship national umbrella scheme launched by the Government of India in 2020 for the sustainable and responsible development of the fisheries sector under the Blue Revolution initiative. In West Bengal, the scheme is executed through the Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture, Aquatic Resources & Fishing Harbour to bridge critical structural gaps across the fisheries value chain—from fish seed production, inland aquaculture, and marine capture to post-harvest cold chains, modern fish transportation, hygienic retail kiosks, and livelihood security. PMMSY is structured under two distinct operational components: (1) Central Sector Scheme (CS), fully funded by the Central Government for national projects, mariculture, deep-sea fishing, and international trade logistics; and (2) Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS), co-funded by the Centre and the State for beneficiary-oriented and infrastructure sub-projects. Rather than a flat universal percentage, PMMSY provides activity-specific financial assistance based on approved unit costs: up to 40% of the unit cost for General category beneficiaries and up to 60% for SC, ST, and Women beneficiaries, with the remaining balance financed through beneficiary equity and institutional credit. The scheme actively promotes high-tech aquaculture like Biofloc, Recirculatory Aquaculture Systems (RAS), cage culture, and the formation of Fish Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs), alongside seasonal lean-period livelihood and nutritional support for traditional fishers.