River Ranching Programme was recently launched in Uttar Pradesh.

=> Along with Uttar Pradesh, other 4 states namely, Orissa, Uttarakhand, Tripura and Chhattisgarh also participated in the launch of ‘nationwide River Ranching program’.

=> 3 lakhs fingerlings were ranched at 3 sites in UP, namely, Brijghat, Tigri, Meerut, Garhmukteshwar and Bijnor.

What is River Ranching?

=> River Ranching is a form of aquaculture in which a population of a fish species (such as salmon) is held in captivity for the first stage of their lives.

=> They are then released, and later harvested as adults when they return from the sea to their freshwater birthplace to spawn.

About the Programme:

River ranching programme was introduced as special activity under the ‘Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) scheme to augment and enhance fish production and productivity by expanding, intensifying, diversifying and utilizing land & water productively.

Who is the implementing agency?

National Fisheries Development Board, Hyderabad is the nodal agency under central component of the PMMSY.

What is the need of programme?

=> As the human population is growing, requirement of high-quality protein & demand of fish is increasing gradually. Thus, to promote sustainable use and conservation of fishery resources in an economical and environmentally responsible manner, River Ranching Programme was launched.

=> This programme will help in achieving sustainable fisheries, conserving biodiversity, assessing ecosystem services, reducing habitat degradation and maximizing social-economic benefits.

=> It will also ensure the upgradation of traditional fishery, trade & social protection of Inland communities and ecosystem sustainability.

About the ‘Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) scheme:

=> It is a scheme for focused and sustainable development of fisheries sector in the country.

=> 20,050 crores has been sanctioned for its implementation during a period of 5 years from FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25 in all States/Union Territories, as a part of AatmaNirbhar Bharat Package.

=> The scheme focuses on beneficiary-oriented activities in Marine, Inland fisheries and Aquaculture.

=> It seeks to adopt ‘Cluster or Area based approaches’.

Aims and targets of the scheme:

=> Enhance fish production by an additional 70 lakh tonne by 2024-25.

=> Increase fisheries export earnings to Rs.1,00,000 crore by 2024-25.

=> Double incomes of fishers and fish farmers.

=> Reduce post-harvest losses from 20-25% to about 10%.

=> Generate additional 55 lakhs direct and indirect gainful employment opportunities in fisheries sector and allied activities.