The Department of Fisheries, Government of India (DoF, GoI) is implementing Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) with an estimated investment of Rs. 20,050 crores during FY 2020-21 to 2024-25 in all states/Union Territories including Tamil Nadu. PMMSY aims for holistic development of fisheries sector including welfare of fishers and fish farmers, and it is designed to address critical gaps in the fisheries value chain from fish production, productivity and quality to technology, post-harvest infrastructure and marketing etc. Based on the proposals received from Government of Tamil Nadu, projects with total cost of Rs. 1158.54 crore with central share of Rs. 451.55 crore have been approved under PMMSY to Tamil Nadu during 2020-2025. As informed by Government of Tamil Nadu, out of total central share Rs. 258.46 crore have been utilized by the State for implementation of the approved projects under PMMSY.

DoF, GoI is promoting seaweed farming as one of the priority activities under PMMSY in coastal States and Union Territories including Tamil Nadu to support livelihood of coastal communities especially women beneficiaries. The subsidy is extended for purchase of rafts, monolines and seed material for Seaweed farming. From 2020-21 to 2024-25, Rs.77.31 lakh for 8595 rafts and Rs.123.84 lakh for 2580 monolines have been released under PMMSY to fishers of Tamil Nadu including the women beneficiaries. Under the schemes of Government of India, training programs for seaweed cultivation have also been imparted to 750 fisherwomen during 2018-19. The DoF, GoI on 12.12.2022 has approved a Multipurpose Seaweed Park in Tamil Nadu with project cost of Rs. 127.71 crore under PMMSY to support seaweed farming and its value chain. The seaweed park envisages to involve and engage manpower of 8,821 people in various activities to promote their livelihoods. The initiative is expected to generate employment for up to 18,000 fishermen, especially women and their self-help groups and FFPOs.

As informed by Government of Tamil Nadu, during last five years, (2020-21 to 2024-25), 1,83,264 numbers of fishermen/fish farmers including women and women self-help groups are benefited under PMMSY in Tamil Nadu. From 2020-21 to 2024-25, Rs.334.55 lakh to 6 beneficiaries for Construction of Ice plants, Rs.15.06 crore to 182 beneficiaries for insulated vehicles, Rs.1.44 crore to 10 beneficiaries for Refrigerated vehicles have been released as subsidy. Government of Tamil Nadu has also informed that under PMMSY scheme, the State Government does not evaluate gender- disaggregated benefits under each components. In this regard, the district level officers are providing regular awareness programmes on various Government schemes and programmes. Based on this, the beneficiaries (both men and women) are selected upon their willingness and got benefited under the preferred components of PMMSY scheme through concerned district subordinate office.

This information was given by Union Minister of State, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri George Kurian, in a written reply in Lok Sabha on 05th August, 2025.

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(Release ID: 2152508)