Fisheries Growth in Tripura Encouraging, But Wider PMMSY Coverage and Monitoring Needed

Agartala, Jun 02, 2026, By Our Correspondent

The implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) in Tripura has emerged as a significant driver of fisheries development and rural livelihood enhancement. However, experts have emphasized that while the achievements are commendable, greater efforts are required to ensure wider beneficiary coverage, effective monitoring, and long-term sustainability of investments.According to the latest Economic Review of Tripura, nearly 19,000 beneficiaries have received support under PMMSY. The Department of Fisheries, Government of Tripura, has reported investments exceeding Rs. 8,139.77 lakh during the financial year 2024-25, benefiting 18,912 individuals across the state through various fisheries-related interventions.Experts, including Kiran Bhowmik, a PhD scholar specializing in Agricultural Economics at Tripura University, have stated that securing adequate funds under the centrally sponsored scheme remains crucial for the state's fish farmers. They observed that PMMSY has played an important role in expanding fish production, creating employment opportunities, and strengthening fisheries infrastructure.The department's achievements include the establishment of eight freshwater finfish hatcheries, support for aquaculture activities over hundreds of hectares, construction of 337 new ponds, and assistance to more than 4,100 farmers through integrated fish farming. Innovative activities such as biofloc technology, ornamental fish culture, and freshwater pearl culture have also gained momentum under the scheme.While these accomplishments reflect substantial progress, experts have pointed out that the real success of PMMSY should be measured not only by the number of assets created but also by their long-term productivity and economic viability. Several fisheries projects require continuous technical guidance, market linkage support, and regular evaluation to ensure that beneficiaries are able to generate sustainable income.Concerns have also been raised regarding the need for stronger awareness campaigns in remote and tribal areas where many eligible fish farmers may still be unaware of available schemes. Experts suggest that district-level monitoring mechanisms should be strengthened to assess whether the benefits are reaching the intended target groups and whether infrastructure such as hatcheries, ponds, biofloc units, and vending centres are operating at optimum capacity.The stocking of over 24.54 lakh fish fingerlings in the Dumboor Reservoir and support for 1,464 cage culture units have been hailed as major achievements. However, fisheries specialists have recommended periodic impact assessments to evaluate production outcomes and environmental sustainability.Furthermore, while the distribution of boats, nets, transportation vehicles, and nutritional support packages has improved the socio-economic condition of traditional fishermen, stakeholders believe that greater emphasis should be placed on skill development, entrepreneurship training, and market intelligence services.Overall, PMMSY has undoubtedly strengthened Tripura's fisheries sector and contributed to livelihood security. Nevertheless, experts maintain that improved monitoring, broader outreach, and stronger post-project support will be essential to maximize the scheme's long-term impact and ensure inclusive growth in the state's fisheries economy.