PM to launch flagship fisheries scheme, app for farmers today
New Delhi, September 9
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will digitally launch the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) on Thursday and inaugurate the e-Gopala app, a comprehensive breed improvement marketplace and information portal for direct use of farmers.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Prime Minister’s Office said Modi would also launch several other initiatives in the fisheries and animal husbandry sectors in Bihar, a state which is heading for the Assembly polls in October-November.
The PMMSY is a flagship scheme for focused and sustainable development of the fisheries sector in the country with an estimated investment of Rs 20,050 crore for its implementation during 2020-21 to 2024-25 as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat package.
The investment of Rs 20,050 crore under PMMSY is the highest ever in the fisheries sector, the PMO said.
The project in Bihar envisages investment of Rs 1,390 crore with the Central share of Rs 535 crore and the additional fish production target pegged at three lakh tonnes. During the current fiscal, the Union Government has sanctioned Bihar’s proposal costing Rs 107 crore.
Modi will also announce the establishment of a fish brood bank at Sitamarhi and of aquatic disease referral laboratory at Kishanganj, for which assistance has been provided under the 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.
The e-Gopala app, it added, is a comprehensive breed improvement marketplace and information portal for direct use of farmers.
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, availability of quality breeding services and guiding farmers for animal nutrition, treatment of animals using appropriate medicine. The app would provide solutions to farmers on all these aspects, the PMO said. — PTI
