NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday launched the Pradhan Mantri Matsya SampadaYojana (PMMSY) and e-Gopala App, a comprehensive breed improvement marketplace and information portal for direct use of farmers, which will do away with the role of middlemen in procurement and purchase.
After inaugurating the projects in Bihar virtually the Prime Minister interacted with many farmers involved in dairy and other animal rearing work. During the ceremony Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Union Minister for Animal Husbandry Giriraj Singh were also present.
Speaking on the occasion the Prime Minister said, "India is inching towards a goal where in the village itself there will be food processing clusters and research units." He said the target in 'Blue Revolution' is to double the export of fish products and Ganga rejuvenation plan will help the people involved in the profession.
"The project has been started in 21 states and Rs 20,000 crore will be spend in the next four-five years. An amount of Rs 1,700 cr has been initiated to start the project," said the Prime Minister. As of now, the Department of Fisheries has approved Rs 1,723 crore worth of proposals for 21 states and Union Territories in phase-I under the PMMSY. Priority has been accorded for income-generating activities under the scheme.
The Prime Minister also interacted with farmers and producers involved in dairy farming and other professions, and told them that the government will arrange a tour to the Amul facility in Gujarat for the farmers to get more experience to increase production. (IANS)