Bhubaneswar, Nov 21: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today launched 'Mukhyamantri Maschyajibi Kalyan Yojana (MMKY)' for the benefit of fish farming communities. On the occasion of World Fisheries Day, Patnaik launched the scheme for the fishermen of the state.
The government will spend Rs 448 crore for the fishing community this year.
Patnaik said “This program is meant for the development of fishermen and women Self Help Groups. Taking help from it, they can improve their lifestyle and contribute to state development.”
He also added that the state has ample water resources and our aim is to utilize these resources for the development of the state.
More than 11,000 women self-help groups, 50,000 fish farmers and more than 1 lakh fishermen will get the benefit.
The Chief Minister said that fish production has increased four times in the last 20 years. Marine fish exports have reached Rs 4500 crore. Patnaik said that Odisha is the first state in the country to bring Odisha Fisheries Policy-2015 and Odisha Reservoir Fisheries Policy-2012 to increase fish production. The State became self-reliant in the production of fish oil today, he said.
On this occasion, Fisheries and Animal Resouce Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain, and Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena were also present.
