Prime Minister launches Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, e-Gopala mobile app

News: The Prime Minister has digitally launched the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana(PMMSY) and also inaugurated the e-Gopala app.

Facts:

  • Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana(PMMSY): It is a flagship scheme for focused and sustainable development of the fisheries sector in the country as a part of the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.
  • Nodal Ministry: Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries.
  • Aim:
    • Enhance fish production by an additional 70 lakh tonne and increase fisheries export earnings to Rs.1,00,000 crore by 2024-25.
    • Double the incomes of fishers and fish farmers.
    • Reduce post-harvest losses from 20-25% to about 10%.
    • Generate an additional 55 lakhs direct and indirect gainful employment opportunities in the fisheries sector and allied activities.
  • Investment and Duration: An estimated investment of Rs. 20,050 crore for a period of 5 years from financial year (FY) 2020-21 to FY 2024-25 in all States/Union Territories.
  • Components: The scheme has two components — Central Sector Scheme(CS) and Centrally Sponsored Scheme(CSS).
  • Other significant Features: 
    • The scheme Adopt ‘Cluster or Area-based Approaches’ and create fisheries clusters through backward and forward linkages.
    • It focuses especially on employment generation activities such as seaweed and ornamental fish cultivation.

Additional Facts:

  • e-Gopala App: It is a comprehensive breed improvement marketplace and information portal for direct use of farmers.
  • Features: The app will provide solutions on the aspects of:
    • Managing livestock including buying and selling of disease-free germplasm in all forms (semen, embryos, etc.).
    • Availability of quality breeding services (Artificial Insemination, veterinary first aid, vaccination, treatment, etc.).
    • Guiding farmers for animal nutrition and treatment of animals using appropriate ayurvedic medicine/ethnoveterinary medicine.
    • Providing a mechanism to send alerts and inform farmers about various government schemes and campaigns in the area.