Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)

What is it?

Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana is the central government's main scheme for the fisheries sector. It helps people who catch, farm, handle or sell fish to build up their work - things like fish ponds, hatcheries, cages, ice plants, cold storage, fish transport vehicles and fish kiosks.

For beneficiary-oriented activities the published financial assistance is 40% of the project or unit cost for the general category, and 60% of the project or unit cost for beneficiaries who are Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe or women. The rest of the cost is met by the beneficiary, usually with a bank loan.

The scheme was approved with a total investment of Rs 20,050 crore, made up of a Central share of Rs 9,407 crore, a State share of Rs 4,880 crore and a beneficiary contribution of Rs 5,763 crore. The approved implementation period stated in the operational guidelines is five years, from FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25.

The published list of who can apply is wide: fishers, fish farmers, fish workers and fish vendors, fisheries development corporations, Self Help Groups, cooperatives and federations, entrepreneurs and private firms, Fish Farmer Producer Organisations and Companies, Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, women and differently abled persons, and State and Central government entities.

A point commonly misunderstood: money does not come directly to an individual on demand. Proposals go through the State or Union Territory fisheries department, and a Detailed Project Report or Self Contained Proposal is required for larger projects.

Potential benefit

For beneficiary-oriented components, the published assistance is 40% of the project or unit cost for general category beneficiaries and 60% of the project or unit cost for Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe and women beneficiaries. The actual rupee amount depends on the approved unit cost of the specific activity, which varies widely across the scheme's components, so no single figure applies.

Who can apply?

Other conditions stated by the government

• Open to fishers, fish farmers, fish workers and fish vendors.
• Open to Self Help Groups, cooperatives, federations and Fish Farmer Producer Organisations or Companies.
• Open to entrepreneurs, private firms and fisheries development corporations.
• Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, women and differently abled beneficiaries are eligible for the higher 60% rate.
• State and Central government entities are also eligible implementing agencies.

Eligibility information is provided for informational purposes only. Final eligibility and approval are determined by the relevant government authority.

How to apply

Beneficiaries approach the fisheries department of their State or Union Territory, which consolidates proposals. For larger projects, a Detailed Project Report or a Self Contained Proposal is submitted in triplicate to the National Fisheries Development Board and the Department of Fisheries for appraisal and approval.

Where to apply: offline and online

Deadline

We have not been able to confirm a current deadline from an official source. Check before applying.