Soreng, Sikkim: India’s First Notified Organic Fisheries Cluster under PMMSY; Union Minister Launched Standard Operating Procedure for Organic Certification of Fisheries in the Northeastern Region

Key Highlights:

• Soreng District, Sikkim has been notified as India’s first Organic Fisheries Cluster under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
• The Union Minister launched the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Organic Certification of Fisheries specifically for the Northeastern region.
• Projects worth ₹375 lakh were inaugurated under PMMSY, focusing on critical fisheries infrastructure.
• Sikkim entered into an MoU with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) for institutional procurement of locally produced Rainbow Trout.

Detailed Insights:

• The Soreng cluster promotes ecologically healthy fish farming, avoiding harmful chemicals, antibiotics, and pesticides, with a focus on Amur carp, Indian Major Carps (IMC), and Trout.
• The newly launched SOP aims to provide a structured framework for organic production and traceability, enhancing market access for organic fish products.
• The PMMSY projects include hatcheries, feed mills, cold storage facilities, and production technologies like Biofloc and Recirculatory Aquaculture System (RAS).
• Financial assistance was provided to fish farmers through Kisan Credit Cards and cheques under the Mukhya Mantri Matsya Uthpadhan Yojana (MMMUY).
• The government has adopted a cluster-based approach for integrated development, with 34 such fisheries clusters notified nationwide under PMMSY.
• The MoU with ITBP seeks to provide a stable market for trout farmers and strengthen the value chain for high-value coldwater fish.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY): A flagship scheme to bring about Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of the fisheries sector.
• Organic Fisheries Cluster: A designated geographical area focusing on ecologically healthy fish farming without synthetic chemicals, antibiotics, or pesticides.
• Standard Operating Procedure (SOP): A set of step-by-step instructions compiled by an organization to help workers carry out routine operations.