As many as 16 welfare programmes will be implemented under the scheme at a cost of Rs 448 crore this financial year. It aims at improving financial condition of over 1 lakh fishermen in the state.

Launching the scheme through video-conference, the chief minister said more than 11,000 women SHGs and 50,000 fishermen would be roped in under the MMKY. Stating that the scheme aims at the welfare of the fishermen, he appealed to them to take advantage of it for ameliorating their economic condition.

“Our state has ample water resources which can contribute to livelihood sources for the people. The MMKY focuses on the fishermen to tape the resources to take up pisciculture and improve their earning,” he added.

Speaking on the state’s growth in fishery sector, Naveen said, “The fish cultivation has registered four-fold increase in the last 20 years. The export of marine products has reached Rs 4,500 crore. Now the state is self-dependent in production of fish hatchlings.”

Ranendra Pratap Swain, Minister of Fisheries and Animal Resources, also spoke on the occasion. Chief secretary Pradip Kumar Jena, development commissioner Anu Garg, vice-chancellor of Agriculture University Prof Prabhat Kumar Raul and other senior officers were present.