Friday, 17 May, 2024
By: Yash Gupte
The first phase of Sagar Parikrama was launched in Gujarat on March 5, 2022 from Mandvi and ended on March 6, 2022 at Porbandar. Image Source: IANS
Phase III Program of ‘Sagar Parikrama’ started on February 19, 2023 from Surat, Gujarat, and will end on Feb 21, 2023 at Sasson Dock, Mumbai.
The phase-III of the Sagar Parikrama was launched by Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying from Hazira Port in Gujarat. The Parikrama will further proceed towards the coast line of Maharashtra at Satpati, Vasai, Versova, and Parikrama will end at Sasson Dock, Mumbai. The first phase of Sagar Parikrama was launched in Gujarat on March 5, 2022 from Mandvi and ended on March 6, 2022 at Porbandar. Phase –II programme started on September 22, 2022 from Mangrol to Veraval and ended at Mul Dwaraka, on September 23, 2022 from Mul Dwaraka to Madhwad. Phase III Program of ‘Sagar Parikrama’ started on February 19, 2023 from Surat, Gujarat, and will end on Feb 21, 2023 at Sasson Dock, Mumbai.
The primary goals of "Sagar Parikrama" are (i) to facilitate interaction with fishermen, coastal communities, and stakeholders in order to disseminate information about the various fisheries-related schemes and programmes being implemented by the Government; (ii) to show solidarity with all fishermen, fish farmers, and concerned stakeholders in accordance with the spirit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat; and (iii) to promote responsible fisheries with a focus on sustainable balance between the utilisation of marine fisheries resources for food security of nation and livelihoods of coastal fisher communities and (iv) protection of marine ecosystems.
The central government has been maximizing its effort to boost the blue economy and provide new opportunities to the fishermen along the coast. The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) is a scheme launched by the central government for focused and sustainable development of the fisheries sector in the country as a part of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. Recently, Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying in a written reply in Rajya Sabha said that the PMMSY provides insurance coverage to fishers which includes fish workers, fish farmers and any other categories of persons directly involved in fishing and fisheries related allied activities. With a budget of Rs 20,050 crores for a period of five years, PMMSY aims to achieve fish production of 22 million metric tons (MMT) from the current 13.76 MMT by 2024-25 and to create additional employment opportunities for about 55 lakh people.
PMMSY has been approved at the total estimated investment of Rs.20,050 crores comprising of central share of Rs.9,407 crores, state share of Rs.4,880 crores and beneficiaries contribution of Rs.5,763 crores. The table below shows the significant achievements made under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana.
The achievements made under the PMMSY shows that the Department of Fisheries is not only focusing on increasing the fish production in the country but also on other important activities related to fishing. One of the most important aspect of the scheme is the focus on seaweed cultivation. Apart from improvement in seaweed cultivation, the scheme has also proved beneficial for improvement in the fishing infrastructure.
The chart below shows the funds released to the states under the PMMSY from 2020-2022.
Andhra Pradesh has the highest total project cost under the PMMSY at Rs 77,436 lakhs followed by Uttar Pradesh at Rs 59,413 lakhs. Andhra Pradesh has also received the highest funds by the central government under the PMMSY. The state has received a sum of Rs 18,659 lakhs from 2020-2022. Sikkim and Punjab have received lowest funds under the scheme. The total project cost in Punjab is Rs 5,984 lakhs and the share of central government is Rs 2,064 lakhs. Out of the central government’s share of Rs 2,064 lakhs, Punjab has received only Rs 567 lakhs in last two years. Other states also narrate a similar tale in terms of allocation of funds.
The central government must concentrate on the allocation of funds and the timely release of funds to the states in order to achieve the target of 22 MMT fish production by 2024-25. The scheme aims to bring a revolution in the fishing sector in the country by providing direct and indirect employment opportunities and by focusing on the sustainable modernisation of fishing infrastructure but at the same time, central government must ensure timely allocation of funds to the states and generation of employment opportunities.
Sagar Parikrama and Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, well-structured schemes if implemented efficiently by the cooperative efforts of the central government and state governments will surely provide a boost to the fishing sector and transform country’s blue economy.
