- Farmers’ fortunes transformed by the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana
- Fish farming is emerging as a robust source of additional income alongside traditional agriculture
Aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of empowering villages, the poor, and farmers, the Central Government’s Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) is proving to be a boon for farmers in the Mahasamund district of Chhattisgarh. Moving beyond traditional paddy cultivation, around 150 farmers in the district are now creating new avenues for income and livelihood through modern activities such as fish farming, hatcheries, and pond liner units. Government subsidies and the development of infrastructure are rapidly generating new opportunities for self-employment and jobs at the rural level.
- Dinesh Chandrakar of Birkoni sets an example
The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) has completely transformed the economic status of thousands of farmers and fish cultivators across the country through modern techniques, financial assistance, and subsidies. Troubled by the rising costs of traditional farming, Dinesh Chandrakar, a resident of Birkoni, ventured into fish farming. Under the scheme, he had a pond excavated on one hectare of land at a cost of approximately ₹7.50 lakh and established a fish hatchery spanning 20,000 square feet at a cost of ₹14 lakh.
- Production and Earnings
Fish fry (young fish) produced in the hatchery are stocked in the pond, yielding approximately 15 tonnes of fish within 8 to 9 months. Despite a production cost of ₹70 to ₹80 per kilogram, he is earning excellent profits, as the fish sells for ₹120 to ₹150 per kilogram in the market.
- Himanshu Chandrakar of Bakma village secures a sustainable livelihood
The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana provides assistance for projects such as pond construction, biofloc units, fish seed hatcheries, cold storage facilities, and feed plants. Himanshu Chandrakar, a farmer from Bakma village, set up two pond liner units at a cost of approximately ₹28 lakh. After receiving a 60 percent subsidy from the government, they are realizing an annual net saving of ₹3 to 4 lakh after deducting all expenses.
- Boosting the Rural Economy and Supporting Laborers
Fish farming has benefited not only the unit operators but also local laborers significantly. Laborers from Birkoni state that they no longer need to travel elsewhere in search of work; instead, they secure regular employment within the village throughout the year. An income of approximately ₹9,000 per month has made sustaining their families much easier.
- Key Features and Provisions of the Scheme
To develop the necessary infrastructure, the scheme promotes the construction of new ponds and the establishment of biofloc units, hatcheries, cold storage facilities, and fish feed production units. Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, a subsidy of 60 percent is provided to beneficiaries belonging to women, Scheduled Caste (SC), and Scheduled Tribe (ST) categories, while beneficiaries from the general category receive a subsidy of up to 40 percent. For the farmers of Mahasamund—who previously relied on traditional paddy cultivation—fish farming has now emerged as a new symbol of self-reliance, prosperity, and development.