Introduction: What is the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY)?

The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY) is a central sector sub-scheme under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) aimed at the formalization of the fisheries sector and supporting the fisheries micro and small enterprises. The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, approved this scheme to be implemented over four years, from FY 2023-24 to FY 2026-27, with an investment of over Rs. 6,000 crores across all States and Union Territories. The scheme is designed to bring a wave of prosperity to the fisheries sector by providing financial and technical support to fishers, fish farmers, and other stakeholders in the value chain. It aims to create a conducive environment for the sustainable and responsible development of the fisheries sector in India.

Key Features and Objectives

The PM-MKSSY has a multi-pronged approach to address the challenges in the fisheries sector and to unlock its immense potential. The key objectives and features of the scheme are:

  • Formalization of the Sector: The scheme aims to formalize the unorganized fisheries sector by creating work-based digital identities for fishers, fish farmers, and other supportive workers through the National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP).
  • Access to Institutional Finance: A primary objective is to facilitate greater access to institutional credit for fish farmers and micro and small enterprises in the fisheries sector.
  • Aquaculture Insurance: The scheme provides a one-time incentive to beneficiaries for the purchase of aquaculture insurance, thereby mitigating the risks associated with fish farming.
  • Value Chain Efficiency: It incentivizes the improvement of fisheries sector value-chain efficiencies through performance grants to micro and small enterprises.
  • Safety and Quality Assurance: The scheme promotes the adoption and expansion of fish and fishery product safety and quality assurance systems.
  • Job Creation: A significant focus of the PM-MKSSY is on the creation of new jobs, with a special emphasis on empowering women in the fisheries sector.

Who is Eligible? (Eligibility Criteria)

The benefits of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana are intended for a wide range of stakeholders in the fisheries value chain. The eligibility criteria are as follows:

  • Individuals: Fishers, fish (aquaculture) farmers, fish workers, fish vendors, and any other person directly engaged in the fisheries value chain are eligible.
  • Micro and Small Enterprises: This includes proprietary firms, partnership firms, and companies registered in India. Societies, Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs), Cooperatives, and Federations are also eligible.
  • Village Level Organizations: Self Help Groups (SHGs), Fish Farmers Producer Organizations (FFPOs), and startups engaged in the fisheries and aquaculture value chains can avail the benefits of the scheme. FFPOs also include Farmers Producer Organizations (FPOs).

How to Apply / Avail the Benefits

The application process for the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana is primarily online through the National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP). Here is a step-by-step guide to the application process:

  1. Visit the Official Portal: The first step is to visit the official National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP) website.
  2. New User Registration: On the homepage, click on the 'New User Registration' option. You will be asked to select your profile type, i.e., 'Individual' or 'Organization'.
  3. Mobile Number and Aadhaar Verification: Enter your mobile number and the captcha code, then click on 'Send OTP'. After verifying the OTP, you will need to enter your Aadhaar number for verification. An OTP will be sent to the mobile number linked with your Aadhaar card.
  4. Fill the Registration Form: Once the Aadhaar verification is complete, the registration form will appear. Most of your personal details will be auto-filled from your Aadhaar data. You will need to fill in the remaining details such as your bank account information.
  5. Professional Details: In the next section, you will need to provide details about your professional activities in the fisheries sector.
  6. Submission and Provisional Certificate: After filling in all the required information, you can submit the form. Upon successful submission, a registration number will be generated, and you can download a provisional certificate.

The application will then be verified by the Department of Fisheries, and upon approval, the benefits of the scheme will be disbursed through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

Official Sources