Fisherwomen to Get Higher Subsidy under PMMSY: Centre
Rajiv Ranjan Singh said women-led fishing cooperative societies in Andhra Pradesh are being recognised as Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs) under the Andhra Pradesh Fishermen Cooperative Federation (AFCOF)
Nellore: The Central government has identified women as priority beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). They would be provided 60 per cent financial assistance under PMMSY, compared to 40 per cent to those under the general category, union Fisheries minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh) informed the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.
He had been responding to a question raised by Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Beeda Mastan Rao Yadav on measures taken to strengthen the livelihoods of coastal fisherwomen, women-led fishery cooperatives, and the role of women in the blue economy.
Rajiv Ranjan Singh said women-led fishing cooperative societies in Andhra Pradesh are being recognised as Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs) under the Andhra Pradesh Fishermen Cooperative Federation (AFCOF). Through the federation, infrastructure, training, and financial assistance are being extended to the FFPOs under PMMSY and PM-MKSSY schemes.
To increase their livelihoods, the government is promoting seaweed cultivation, ornamental fisheries, rice-fish farming, cage culture, and fish processing, apart from value-added products and marketing.
The union minister informed the House that 66 women fishery cooperative societies in Andhra Pradesh have been converted into FFPOs, with 10 FFPOs receiving Rs.69.11 lakh towards operational expenses and equity grants. In Nellore district, six women's cooperative societies have been converted into FFPOs, with one FFPO receiving a one-time grant of Rs.90,000.
Dr. Mastan Rao urged the centre to further strengthen women fishery cooperatives and ensure that they get greater access to central schemes for coastal women, particularly in Nellore district and across Andhra Pradesh.
