The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), implemented by the Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, is driving inclusive growth in the fisheries sector by placing special focus on women’s participation.
Women beneficiaries under PMMSY receive enhanced financial assistance of 60% of the unit cost for various beneficiary-oriented activities. Under the Entrepreneur Model, women are eligible for up to 60% of the project cost, with a ceiling of ₹1.5 crore per project, encouraging them to take leadership roles in fisheries-based enterprises.
The scheme supports women in a wide range of activities including fish farming, hatcheries, seaweed farming, bivalve cultivation, ornamental fisheries, fish processing, and marketing. Alongside financial assistance, women are also provided training and capacity-building opportunities in entrepreneurship, skill development, livelihood generation, and start-up promotion.
Women Beneficiaries Across India
Between 2020-21 and 2024-25, development proposals worth ₹4,061.96 crore (with a Central share of ₹1,534.46 crore) have been sanctioned under PMMSY, benefitting a total of 99,018 women across States and Union Territories.
Among the leading States, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh recorded the highest numbers of women beneficiaries. For instance, Maharashtra alone reported 13,804 women beneficiaries, with projects worth ₹708.44 crore sanctioned and ₹271.87 crore released to support 2,119 women during the last five years. In Palghar district, 32 women benefitted from projects worth ₹7.35 crore, of which ₹4.48 crore has already been released.
Maharashtra’s Initiatives for Women in Fisheries
The Government of Maharashtra has actively promoted women’s participation in fisheries through a series of initiatives such as:
- Awareness and outreach programmes – workshops, exhibitions, and government-at-doorstep campaigns.
- Publicity and information dissemination – banners, flex displays, newspaper advertisements, and brochures.
- Training programmes – on various aspects of fish culture and PMMSY components.
- District-level training sessions – with 112 programmes held in the last five years, including 17 in Palghar district, focusing on women beneficiaries.
Inclusive Growth and Women Empowerment
By offering financial assistance, skill-building, and entrepreneurship support, PMMSY is enabling women to play a greater role in the fisheries sector — not just as workers, but as entrepreneurs and leaders. This initiative is strengthening rural livelihoods, promoting gender equity, and contributing to the long-term sustainability of India’s fisheries sector.
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