Lok Sabha Question No. 1965 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-11
Subject: Re-circulatory Aquaculture System
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Dr. D. Purandeswari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1965 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 th  MARCH, 2025

## Re-Circulatory Aquaculture System

## 1965.  Dr. D. Purandeswari:

Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING be pleased to state:

- (a)     the impact of innovative technologies like Re-circulatory Aquaculture System (RAS) and biofloc  culture  units  in  enabling  greater  sustainability  and  resource  efficiency  in  aquaculture practices under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY);
- (b)   whether PMMSY led to an increase in women-led initiatives in the fisheries sector and if so, the detailed data on their contribution to aquaculture productivity;
- (c)   the details on the funds allocated on infrastructure and Post-Harvest Management under PMMSY in 2024;
- (d)   the percentage reduction in post-harvest losses has been achieved through cold chain development initiatives under PMMSY; and
- (e)    the measurable outcomes of the PMMSY in improving the livelihoods of marginalized fishing communities in 2024 in comparison to previous years?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING (SHRI GEORGE KURIAN )

(a) to (e): The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana implemented by the Department of Fisheries,  Ministry  of  Fisheries,  Animal  Husbandry  and  Dairying  inter-alia  aims  at  technology infusion along the value chain for enhancing fish production and productivity, quality and hygiene and modernization and strengthening the supply and value chain. Under this scheme, adoption of high-density  aquaculture  technologies  including  Re-circulatory  Aquaculture  System  (RAS)  and Biofloc are supported.  The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying during the last four years (2020-21 to 2023-24) and current financial year (2024-25) has approved the proposals of various State Governments and Union Territories for (i) establishment of 12000 Re-circulatory Aquaculture Systems at a total cost of Rs.902.97 crore with a central share of Rs.298.78 crore and (ii) establishment of 4205 biofloc units at a total cost of Rs.523.30 crore with central share of Rs.180.04 crore. These high density aquaculture technologies are primarily helping the fish farmers to culture of high yielding diversified species, enhance quality fish production with minimal  resources  in  terms  of  water  and  land.  Further,  the  PMMSY  envisages  inclusive development with higher financial assistance to Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribes and Women to bring them in the main stream of fisheries development and also to promote women led initiatives in fisheries sector. During the last four years (2020-21 to 2023-24) and current financial year (202425), women related fisheries development projects worth of Rs.3973.14 crore have been approved under the PMMSY.  The key infrastructure and Post-Harvest Management under activities approved under the PMMSY include; 58 fishing harbours/fish landing centres, 634 ice plants/cold storages, 21 Modern wholesale fish markets including 2 Smart Wholesale Markets, 202 retail fish markets, 6694 fish kiosks, 27189 units of fish transportation facilities, 128 value add enterprises, 5 E-platform for e-trading and e-marketing of fish and fisheries products.

The PMMSY during its implementation period has made vital contributions in overall growth of the fisheries and aquaculture especially (i) increase of annual fish production from 141.64 lakh tonne in 2019-20 to 184.02 lakh tonne in 2023-24, (ii) increase in fisheries export from Rs.46,662.85 crore in 2019-20 to Rs.6,0524.89 crore in 2023-24, (iii) enhanced per capita fish consumption from 5-6 kg to 12-13 kg and (iv) enhance aquaculture productivity from 3 tonne/hectare to 4.7 tonne per hectare.

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