PM Modi to launch several schemes for fisheries, animal husbandry on Thursday

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will digitally launch the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) on Thursday. He will also launch e-Gopala App, a breed improvement marketplace and information portal for farmers, along with several other initiatives in the fisheries and animal husbandry sectors in Bihar.

The Rs 20,050 crore PMMSY aims at enhancing fish production by an additional 70 lakh tonne by 2024-25, increasing fisheries export earnings to Rs 1 lakh crore by 2024-25, doubling of incomes of fishers and fish farmers, reducing post-harvest losses from 20-25% to about 10% and generation of additional 55 lakhs direct and indirect gainful employment opportunities in fisheries sector and allied activities.

“In Bihar itself, the scheme envisages an investment of Rs1,390 crore with central share of Rs 535 crore and the additional fish production target pegged at 3 lakh tonnes. During the current financial year, the centre has sanctioned a project costing Rs 107 crore,” said a senior fisheries ministry official.

The Prime Minister will also announce the establishment of Fish Brood Bank at Sitamarhi, and of Aquatic Disease Referral Laboratory at Kishanganj under PMMSY besides inaugurating the Comprehensive Fish Production Technology Centre at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa. 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.

Apart from that the Prime Minister will also inaugurate services related to animal husbandry sector. He will launch e-Gopala App, which 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 form. The App will provide information about various government schemes and campaigns in the area,” said an official.

The Prime Minister will also inaugurate state-of-the-art semen station in Purnea and an IVF lab established at Animal Sciences University, Patna.