Department of Fisheries Celebrates 80th Independence Day, Reaffirms Commitment to Empowering Fishers sector and Strengthening the Blue Economy

The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, celebrated the 80th Independence Day at New Delhi on 15^th August 2026 in the presence of fishers and fish farmers from across the country. The celebration was held in consonance with the national themes of “150 Years of Vande Mataram” and “Yuva Shakti for Viksit Bharat@2047”, commemorating the legacy of the national song that inspired India’s freedom struggle and recognising the transformative role of youth in nation-building.

The fisheries and aquaculture sector plays a critical role in India’s economy, providing livelihoods to approximately 3 crore fishers and fish farmers while generating significant employment opportunities across the value chain. India is the world’s second-largest fish producer, contributing 8% to global output, ranks second in aquaculture production, leads in shrimp production and export, and is one of the largest producer in capture fisheries. Since 2015, the Government of India has made cumulative investments of ₹39,272 crore through key initiatives such as the Blue Revolution Scheme, Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), and its sub-scheme, Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PMMKSSY), to drive sustainable growth and development in the sector.

In line with the theme of “Yuva Shakti for Viksit Bharat@2047”, Youth, fishers and fish farmers are central to the future of India’s fisheries sector, bringing enterprise, innovation and dynamism across the fisheries value chain from modern aquaculture practices, digital traceability and cold-chain management to value addition, branding, marketing and exports. Their active participation is expected to further strengthen fisheries as a key pillar of India’s Blue Economy.

Following the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort, the Department organised an interaction programme with beneficiaries under PM-MKSSY and their spouses to recognise their contributions and highlight the impact of government initiatives in the fisheries sector. Five beneficiaries under PMMKSSY were invited for “At- home” reception to be hosted by the Hon’ble President of India at Rashtrapati bhavan cultural centre, New Delhi. The beneficiaries included Shri Nitul Ch Das, Assam, Shri Suresh Chandra Rout, Odisha, Shri Ekanath Rama Mukane, Maharashtra, Shri Akash Singh, Uttar Pradesh and Ms Misha Singh Bihar.

During the interaction, the beneficiaries shared their experiences and highlighted how government support under PM-MKSSY has enabled them to improve livelihoods, adopt modern practices and expand income opportunities. Their achievements reflected the growing impact of targeted interventions in empowering fishers, fish farmers and young entrepreneurs across the country.

The Department reiterated its commitment to further strengthening the fisheries sector through sustained policy support, infrastructure development, technology adoption and inclusive welfare measures. The participation of fishers, fish farmers, youth and beneficiaries in the Independence Day celebrations reflected their vital contribution to national development and reaffirmed the sector’s role in advancing the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047 through a resilient, sustainable and prosperous Blue Economy.

Background

The Union Cabinet approved the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY), a Central Sector Sub-scheme under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), on 8th February 2024 for a period of four years from FY 2023-24 to FY 2026-27. PM-MKSSY will be implemented in all the States and Union Territories with an estimated outlay of ₹6000 crore. PM-MKSSY intends to address the inherent weaknesses of the sector through identified financial and technological intervention for bringing in institutional reforms to support the transformation of the fisheries sector in the Long-term.

PM-MKSSY aims to address key structural gaps in the fisheries sector by promoting the gradual formalisation of the unorganised sector through creation of work-based digital identities under the National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP) for improved service delivery. The scheme facilitates enhanced access to institutional finance, including working capital, for fish farmers, fishers and micro and small enterprises, while also providing a one-time incentive to aquafarmers for purchasing aquaculture insurance for one crop cycle. It further incentivises fisheries and aquaculture micro and small enterprises through performance grants to improve value-chain efficiencies, strengthen fish and fishery product safety and quality assurance systems, create and maintain employment opportunities, and promote integration and consolidation of fisheries value chains.