New Delhi, Nov. 4 -- Union Fisheries minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh launched a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for organic certification of fisheries in the northeastern region and inaugurated projects worth Rs 3.75 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) in Sikkim during his visit to Mangan district on November 2.

The projects cover critical fisheries infrastructure, including hatcheries, feed mills and cold storage facilities, besides production technologies such as Biofloc and Recirculatory Aquaculture System (RAS). They are aimed at strengthening different stages of the fisheries value chain.

During the visit, Singh reviewed fisheries development initiatives and interacted with fish farmers and members of fisheries cooperative societies at a Live Fish Vending Centre established with PMMSY support. Fish feed was distributed among 15 farmers belonging to two cooperative societies.

The minister also inspected stalls displaying fish, ornamental fish, value-added fish products, dairy and animal products, and locally grown organic vegetables.

Kisan Credit Cards were distributed to fish farmers to facilitate access to institutional credit, while cheques were handed over to five beneficiaries under the Mukhya Mantri Matsya Utpadan Yojana (MMMUY).

The visit was attended by Sikkim Fisheries Minister Puran Kumar Gurung, Union Fisheries Secretary Abhilaksh Likhi and senior officials of the state government, besides representatives of fisheries institutions, cooperatives and farmers.

The Centre has adopted a cluster-based approach to integrate fish production, processing, value addition and marketing. Under PMMSY, 34 fisheries production and processing clusters have been notified across the country, including organic fisheries clusters in Sikkim and Meghalaya.

Soreng district in Sikkim is home to India's first Organic Fisheries Cluster launched under PMMSY. It focuses on chemical-free fish farming, particularly Amur carp, Indian Major Carps and trout, building on the state's established organic farming ecosystem.

The newly launched SOP is expected to provide a structured framework for organic production and traceability, helping improve market access for organic fish products in domestic and international markets.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.