Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana: Amit Shah presents gets two deep sea fishing boats to Maharashtra co-ops

Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, 14 boats are currently being given to cooperative societies in the state, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a target of launching at least 200 boats in the sea in the next five years. These boats will be able to stay in the deep sea for 25 days and catch up to 20 tons of fish. A large ship will also be made available to collect the fish from these boats and take them to the shore. The profit made through these boats will reach the fishermen directly.

The Union minister added that the Central Government, in collaboration with the fisheries and cooperation departments, has prepared a plan to build large ships for processing, cooling and export facilities and collection.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi encouraged the development of the blue economy and brought various schemes. “That is why Maharashtra has taken a big lead in every aspect such as creating new fishing harbours, fishing ecosystems, ecosystems of fishing vessels,” he said.

“In the future, if a large fund is required, it will be made available through National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC). Fishermen’s cooperative societies can be provided with deep sea fishing vessels. They can be used to fish, fish species that are in demand in foreign and local markets like tuna, skipjack, albacore,” he said.

State Fisheries Minister Nitesh Rane said that Maharashtra has given the status of agriculture to fishing. “Along with this, the use of artificial intelligence technology, schemes providing financial assistance to fishermen, and development of fishing ports have led to a 45 per cent increase in fish production,” Rane said.