Patna, Dec 8 (IANS): Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) being run by the Central government is aiding and assisting those engaged in the fisheries sector to start their own enterprise and contribute to the generation of direct and indirect job opportunities.
The target is also to augment fish production as well as consumption per capita, by bringing more vitality to the supply chain.
Under this scheme, financial assistance and training is being given to fishermen for enhancing the aquaculture business.
In Bihar, this scheme is providing employment opportunities to the young generation and also writing a new chapter of self-reliance in rural areas.
A PMMSY beneficiary named Uday Kumar from Nalanda district shared his story of growth under the scheme.
"We were imparted training under the PMMSY scheme, following which we started fish farming. Earlier, we were working only on our own land but now we have expanded our business by taking more land on lease," he said.
He told IANS that this scheme has helped him accumulate yearly income of Rs 1.5 to Rs 2 lakh. He said that under the scheme, he initially received an assistance amount of Rs 60,000, with which he started fish farming.
He and his fellow fishermen say that the scheme has brought a revolution in the field of fisheries and those in the fisheries sector are benefiting from it.
Shivanandan Prasad, Director of Bihar State Matsyajeevi Cooperative Federation told IANS that the scheme is proving to be very beneficial for the fishermen.
"Under this, subsidies of up to 50 per cent are being given on construction of ponds, renovation of old ponds, fish farming materials like fish food, medicines and aerator machines. Apart from this, technical facilities like motor pumps are also being provided," he said.
He further elaborated that training is being given to thousands of farmers in Nalanda district due to which only one family but many are being fed and their financial condition is improving.
"Even those who don’t have a corpus of their own can benefit from the scheme and launch their own enterprise. The formation of a dedicated ministry for fisheries has given a strong impetus to the industry," he said.
Both Shivanandan Prasad and Uday Kumar thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bringing a transformational change in the lives of the poor and unemployed.
"PMMSY yojana is a big step towards increasing the income of fish farmers and making them self-reliant," they said.