Distribution of Two Large Deep-Sea Fishing Vessels to Cooperatives under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana

Distribution of Two Large Deep-Sea Fishing Vessels to Cooperatives under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana
Cooperation to Bring Prosperity in the Fisheries Sector — Union Minister Amit Shah

Mumbai, October 27: Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah announced that, similar to how the cooperative movement brought prosperity in the dairy and sugar industries across India and Maharashtra, a cooperative-based ecosystem will now be established in the fisheries sector over the next five years to achieve similar success.

The distribution and inauguration of deep-sea fishing vessels to cooperative societies under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) was conducted at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited in Mumbai. The event was organized jointly by the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) of the Central Government and the Fisheries Department of the Maharashtra Government.

Union Minister Amit Shah was joined by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, Fisheries Minister Nitesh Rane, Union Minister of State for Cooperation Murlidhar Mohol, State Cooperation Minister Babasaheb Patil, Minister of State for Home and Cooperation Pankaj Bhoir, Chief Secretary Rajesh Kumar, and Fisheries Secretary Ramaswamy N., among others.

Amit Shah said that although only two vessels were being distributed today, this scheme would prove highly beneficial for fishermen in the long run. Under PMMSY, 14 such vessels are being provided to cooperative societies in Maharashtra, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set a target to deploy at least 200 deep-sea fishing vessels within five years.

These vessels can remain at sea for up to 25 days and catch up to 20 tonnes of fish per trip. A larger mother ship will also be made available to transport the catch to shore. The profit earned from this operation will directly benefit fishermen, boosting their financial well-being.

Shah noted that India’s 1,199-km-long coastline holds immense potential, and the government’s goal is to ensure that maximum fishermen benefit from it. He added that just as cooperation helped farmers in the dairy and sugar sectors, it will now help fishermen share profits equitably, fostering a human-centric and inclusive GDP.

The Union Minister emphasized that cooperation remains the best mechanism to ensure that the fruits of economic growth