In Jammu and Kashmir, a total of 21,005 small and micro fisheries enterprises have been extended support under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY). This significant development was conveyed to the Lok Sabha on Tuesday by the Union Government.
The Chenab Times has learned that the PM-MKSSY, a central sector sub-scheme operating under the broader Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), is designed for implementation over four years, from the fiscal year 2023-24 to 2026-27. The initiative has an estimated financial outlay of Rs 6,000 crore, aiming to revolutionize the fisheries sector.
The core objectives of the PM-MKSSY scheme include the formalization of the largely unorganized fisheries sector, enhancing access to institutional finance for stakeholders, strengthening the operational capacity of fisheries cooperatives, promoting aquaculture insurance, and improving the efficiency of the value chain and market access for small and micro fisheries enterprises.
According to data released by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, as of August 6, 2026, a substantial 35.92 lakh individuals, comprising fishers, fish farmers, and other allied professionals, had successfully registered on the National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP). This platform was established as part of the PM-MKSSY initiative.
Nationwide, the scheme has provided support to 20,09,341 small and micro fisheries enterprises. This support encompasses formalization processes, credit facilitation, strengthening of cooperative structures, and the provision of aquaculture insurance. The contribution of Jammu and Kashmir, with its 21,005 supported enterprises, represents approximately 1.05 per cent of the total national figure, indicating a considerable impact within the Union Territory.
Beyond individual enterprises, the scheme has also approved 3,829 primary fisheries cooperatives for strengthening. These approvals are associated with a total project cost of Rs 72.75 crore. In terms of aquaculture insurance, the initiative has covered an area of 2,294 hectares. Furthermore, 127 beneficiaries, collectively managing 321.74 hectares, have successfully availed a one-time incentive amounting to Rs 40.03 lakh.
The credit facilitation module of the PM-MKSSY has seen significant uptake, with banks sanctioning 535 loans totaling Rs 28.04 crore. Of these, 180 beneficiaries have benefited from the Success Fee component, designed to encourage loan repayment and successful project implementation.
The performance grant component of the scheme has also been actively utilized, with 84 applications receiving approval for grants totaling Rs 20.55 crore. Out of this amount, Rs 4.33 crore has already been disbursed to 21 beneficiaries who met the performance criteria.
Under the aquaculture insurance framework of PM-MKSSY, beneficiaries are eligible for a one-time incentive that covers 40 per cent of the insurance premium. This incentive is capped at Rs 25,000 per hectare or Rs 1 lakh per farmer for a maximum of four hectares. Special provisions are in place for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and women beneficiaries, who are entitled to an additional 10 per cent incentive.
To foster the development of fisheries value chains and ensure the establishment of safe fish product supply chains, microenterprises can receive performance grants. These grants can amount to up to 25 per cent of the total investment or Rs 35 lakh, whichever is lower. For microenterprises owned by SC, ST, and women entrepreneurs, the grant ceiling is set higher, at up to 35 per cent of the total investment or Rs 45 lakh, whichever is lower.
The scheme also extends performance grants to various collective bodies, including village-level organizations, federations of self-help groups, Fish Farmer Producer Organizations, and cooperatives, provided they adhere to the prescribed financial ceilings and operational guidelines.
The Chenab Times News Desk