PM Modi To Launch Scheme For Fisheries, New App For Farmers On 10 Sept

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will digitally launch the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) as well as an app called the e-Gopala App on 10 September.

In a statement, the Prime Minister's Office said that the app, which is a comprehensive breed improvement marketplace and information portal for direct use of farmers, and several initiatives in the fisheries and animal husbandry sectors in Bihar will be launched in the presence of the governor and chief minister of Bihar, along with union minister and MoS for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying.

PMMSY

The statement said that the PM Matsya Sampada Yojana is a flagship scheme for focused and sustainable development of fisheries sector in the country with an estimated investment of Rs 20,050 crores for its implementation during a period of 5 years from the current financial year to 2024-25 in all the states and union territories, as a part of the AatmaNirbhar Bharat Package.

"The investment of Rs. 20,050 crores under PMMSY is the highest ever in the fisheries sector. Out of this, an investment of about Rs 12,340 crores is proposed for beneficiary-oriented activities in Marine, Inland fisheries and Aquaculture and about Rs 7,710 crores investment for Fisheries Infrastructure," it said.

The statement further said that PMMSY aims at enhancing fish production by an additional 70 lakh tonne by 2024-25 to increase fisheries export earnings to Rs 1 lakh crore during the same period, doubling of incomes of fishers and fish farmers, reducing post-harvest losses from 20-25 percent to about 10 percent and generation of additional 55 lakhs direct and indirect gainful employment opportunities in the fisheries sector and allied activities.

Other initiatives

PM Modi will also announce the establishment of Fish Brood Bank at Sitamarhi, and of Aquatic Disease Referral Laboratory at Kishanganj, for which assistance has been provided under PMMSY. "These facilities will help in enhancing production and productivity of fish by ensuring timely availability of quality and affordable fish seed for the fish farmers and address the need for disease diagnosis as well as water and soil testing facilities," the statement said.

e-Gopala App

"At present no digital platform is available in the country for farmers managing livestock including buying and selling of disease free germplasm in all forms (semen, embryos, etc); availability of quality breeding services (Artificial Insemination, veterinary first aid, vaccination, treatment etc) and guiding farmers for animal nutrition, treatment of animals using appropriate ayurvedic medicine/ethno veterinary medicine. There is no mechanism to send alerts (on due date for vaccination, pregnancy diagnosis, calving etc) and inform farmers about various government schemes and campaigns in the area. The e-Gopala App will provide solutions to farmers on all these aspects," PMO said.