The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, celebrated the 80th Independence Day on 15th August 2026 in New Delhi with fishers and fish farmers from across the country. The event aligned with national themes of "150 Years of Vande Mataram" and "Yuva Shakti for Viksit Bharat@2047," recognizing the transformative role of youth in nation-building.
The fisheries and aquaculture sector plays a critical role in India's economy, providing livelihoods to approximately 3 crore fishers and fish farmers while generating significant employment across the value chain. India is the world's second-largest fish producer, contributing 8% to global output, ranks second in aquaculture production, leads in shrimp production and export, and is one of the largest producers in capture fisheries. Since 2015, the Government of India has made cumulative investments of ₹39,272 crore through key initiatives including the Blue Revolution Scheme, Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), and its sub-scheme, Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PMMKSSY).
Following the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort, the Department organized an interaction programme with PM-MKSSY beneficiaries and their spouses to recognize their contributions. Five beneficiaries were invited for an "At-home" reception hosted by the President of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre, New Delhi: Shri Nitul Ch Das (Assam), Shri Suresh Chandra Rout (Odisha), Shri Ekanath Rama Mukane (Maharashtra), Shri Akash Singh (Uttar Pradesh), and Ms Misha Singh (Bihar). These beneficiaries shared how government support under PM-MKSSY enabled them to improve livelihoods, adopt modern practices, and expand income opportunities.
The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY) was approved by the Union Cabinet on 8th February 2024 as a Central Sector Sub-scheme under PMMSY, with implementation scheduled for four years from FY 2023-24 to FY 2026-27. The scheme has an estimated outlay of ₹6000 crore and will be implemented in all States and Union Territories. PM-MKSSY aims to address structural gaps in the fisheries sector by promoting formalization of the unorganized sector through creation of work-based digital identities under the National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP). The scheme facilitates enhanced access to institutional finance, including working capital, for fish farmers, fishers, and micro and small enterprises, while providing a one-time incentive for purchasing aquaculture insurance for one crop cycle. It also incentivizes fisheries and aquaculture micro and small enterprises through performance grants to improve value-chain efficiencies, strengthen safety and quality assurance systems, create employment opportunities, and promote value chain integration.
Targeted beneficiaries include fish farmers, fish workers, and fish vendors directly engaged in the fisheries value chain, along with fisheries and aquaculture micro and small enterprises including proprietary firms, partnership firms, companies registered in India, societies, Limited Liability Partnerships, cooperatives, federations, village-level organizations such as Self-Help Groups, Fish Farmers Producer Organisations, Farmers Producer Organisations, and startups engaged in fisheries and aquaculture value chains.
The Department reiterated its commitment to strengthening the fisheries sector through sustained policy support, infrastructure development, technology adoption, and inclusive welfare measures, positioning the sector as a key pillar of India's Blue Economy in advancing the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047.