The Department of Fisheries, under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), is intensifying its focus on skill development and capacity building as critical enablers for modernising India’s fisheries value chain. The initiative aims to enhance productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, strengthen marketing linkages, and build robust human and institutional capacities across the sector.
Structured National Roadmap for Training (2025–2027)
To advance the objectives of PMMSY and align with the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047 in the fisheries and aquaculture sector, the Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Panchayati Raj, Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh), released two key national calendars on National Fish Farmers Day, July 10, 2025, at ICAR–Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA), Bhubaneswar, Odisha:
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“Training & Capacity Building Programme Calendar of Fisheries Institutes of ICAR & its Regional Centres”
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“Training, Capacity Building and Exposure Visit Calendar by NFDB and ICAR”
These calendars provide a structured roadmap for 2025–2027, detailing training programmes, exposure visits, and knowledge-sharing initiatives to systematically strengthen skills across the fisheries ecosystem.
Comprehensive Curriculum Covering Entire Value Chain
The training programmes are designed to empower fishers and fish farmers by:
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Enhancing technical skills
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Promoting adoption of scientific practices
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Encouraging environmentally responsible operations
Structured training covers the full value chain across pre-production, production, and post-production, including:
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Hatchery operations
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Advanced grow-out techniques
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Integrated/composite fish culture
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Fish health management
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Feed formulation
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Seaweed cultivation
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Value-added fish processing
Special emphasis is placed on emerging and modern systems such as:
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Recirculatory Aquaculture Systems (RAS)
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Biofloc technology
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Cage culture
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Ornamental fish breeding
Livelihood-focused programmes have also been designed in areas such as:
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Ornamental fisheries
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Fish marketing linkages
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Women-focused fish value-added product enterprises
The structured exposure visits conducted across India enable farmers to directly observe advanced technologies and strengthen practical knowledge. Promotion of domestic fish and shrimp consumption is also being supported through fish festivals, melas and outreach events.
Diverse Training Formats
The capacity-building framework includes:
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Short-term and long-duration training courses
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Exposure visits
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Workshops and conferences
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Training of Trainers (ToTs) programmes
These are tailored to equip stakeholders with skills aligned to their respective occupational roles and performance needs.
Budgetary Support and Implementation
The Department of Fisheries, Government of India, has earmarked ₹2.93 crore for training and capacity-building programmes under PMMSY and PM-MKSSY, implemented through the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Hyderabad, the nodal implementing agency. The Department is bearing all training-related expenses for fishermen and fish farmers.
Training programmes are being delivered by a wide network of institutions, including:
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State and UT Fisheries Departments
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ICAR Fisheries Research Institutes and Regional Centres
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Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs)
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Agriculture Skill Council of India (ASCI)
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Central Institute of Fisheries Nautical and Engineering Training (CIFNET)
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National Institute of Fisheries Post Harvest Technology and Training (NIFPHATT)
22,921 Beneficiaries Trained in Six Months
Over the last six months:
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499 training programmes have been conducted
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22,921 participants have directly benefited
By equipping stakeholders with modern practices and technologies, PMMSY continues to empower fish farmers, entrepreneurs and allied communities, contributing to food security, nutritional well-being, and sustainable livelihood enhancement.
Future Outlook
The Department of Fisherie sustained focus on skilling and capacity building has laid a strong foundation for the future growth and resilience of the fisheries and aquaculture sector. This initiative is expected to:
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Unlock the sector’s untapped potential
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Generate employment opportunities
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Strengthen rural livelihoods
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Contribute to the broader socio-economic development of the nation
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Source: PIB
