New Delhi: The Centre on Thursday said it has approved fisheries projects worth ₹1,086.51 crore for Odisha under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) to strengthen marine fisheries infrastructure, improve fishermen’s livelihoods and enhance the state’s export competitiveness.
In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, Union Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh) said the approved projects carry a Central share of ₹416.84 crore and include the development of fishing harbours, fish landing centres, cold chain facilities and other marine fisheries infrastructure.
The minister said the Centre has also approved the modernisation of Paradip Fishing Harbour at a cost of ₹108.91 crore under the Central Sector component of PMMSY.
Under the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), the government has sanctioned 13 infrastructure projects in Odisha, including fishing harbours, fish landing centres, fish processing units and fish markets, at a total project cost of ₹784.32 crore. The projects are eligible for interest subvention on ₹286.39 crore of the project cost.
The government said PMMSY also provides livelihood and nutritional support to eligible Below Poverty Line (BPL) marine fisher families during the annual fishing ban period. Additional support is extended through accident insurance, assistance for fishing boats and nets, deep-sea fishing vessels, mariculture, seaweed cultivation, ornamental fisheries, artificial reefs, and training in modern and sustainable fishing practices.
The Odisha government has also been implementing the Mukhyamantri Matsyajibi Kalyan Yojana (MMKY), under which eligible marine fisherman families receive ₹15,000 during the annual turtle conservation fishing ban to compensate for loss of livelihood.
The Centre further noted that Odisha has launched a State Deep Sea Fishing Mission (2026–2036) and introduced measures to modernise fishing harbours, strengthen cold chain infrastructure, promote value addition, install vessel monitoring systems, encourage sustainable fishing practices and improve seafood exports. The state has also introduced financial assistance for seafood processing units and notified a regulatory framework for white-leg shrimp cultivation in inland saline waters to boost shrimp production and exports.
