- Lakshadweep Expansion: The Union Government approved four new ice-plant units for Lakshadweep under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) as part of a ₹62.43 crore package.
- Direct Expansion (DX) Technology: New 5-tonnes-per-day DX block ice plants were sanctioned for the Chetlat and Kiltan islands to modernize local preservation.
- Renewable Energy Integration: The government is actively exploring the use of solar power to run these ice plants to reduce dependence on diesel-based generation.
- National Infrastructure Push: In ongoing parliamentary sessions (March 2026), the government highlighted that 38 ice plants/cold storages have been approved for Odisha and similar projects are being fast-tracked in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
Key Information & Facts
- Primary Purpose: Ice plants are critical for maintaining the cold chain, as fish spoilage begins immediately after catch; ice is the most cost-effective preservation method for small-scale fishers.
- PMMSY Funding: Under the PMMSY scheme, the central government provides substantial subsidies for setting up ice plants:
- 60% subsidy for women and SC/ST beneficiaries.
- 40% subsidy for other categories.
- Types of Units:
- Block Ice Plants: Traditional units producing large blocks for long-duration storage.
- Slurry/Flake Ice: Modern machines that can be fixed onboard fishing vessels to cool fish faster without damaging the product.
- Economic Impact: Improved ice availability has helped increase fish production in regions like Lakshadweep from 500 tonnes in the 1960s to approximately 20,000 tonnes annually today.
- Strategic Goal: Part of India's target to reach 220 lakh tonnes of fish production by FY 2025–26 by minimizing the current high post-harvest wastage.
- Modernization Focus: Shift towards containerised ice plants and energy-efficient systems to make coastal fishermen villages climate-resilient.
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