PIB Summary- 16th March, 2022 | PIB (Press Information Bureau) Summary - UPSC PDF Download

Krishi Vigyan Kendra

Why in News?

There are 38 KVKs under the control of State Governments, 66 under ICAR Institutes, 103 under NGOs, 506 under Agricultural Universities, 3 under Central Universities, 3 under Public Sector Undertakings, 7 under Deemed to be Universities and 5 under Other Educational Institutions.

Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK)

• A Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) is an agricultural extension center in India.
• Usually associated with a local agricultural university, these centers serve as the ultimate link between the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and farmers, and aim to apply agricultural research in a practical, localized setting.
• All KVKs fall under the jurisdiction of one of the 11 Agricultural Technology Application Research Institutes (ATARIs) throughout India.

Functions of KVKs

• On-Farm Testing: Each KVK operates a small farm to test new technologies, such as seed varieties or innovative farming methods, developed by ICAR institutes. This allows new technologies to be tested at the local level before being transferred to farmers.
• Front-line Demonstration: Due to the KVK’s farm and its proximity to nearby villages, it organizes programs to show the efficacy of new technologies on farmer fields.
• Capacity Building: In addition to demonstrating new technologies, the KVK also hosts capacity building exercises and workshops to discuss modern farming techniques with groups of farmers.
• Multi-sector Support: Offer support to various private and public initiatives through its local network and expertise. It is very common for government research institutes to leverage the network of KVKs when performing surveys with a wide range of farmers.
• Advisory Services: Due to the growing use of ICT, KVKs have implemented technologies to provide farmers information, such as weather advisories or market pricing, through radio and mobile phones.

Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana

Why in News?

The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying is implementing a flagship scheme namely Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) with a highest ever investment of Rs. 20,050 crore for a period of 5 years with effect from 2020-21 to 2024- 25 in all the States/Union Territories.

About Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana

• Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) was launched in 2020 to bring about Blue Revolution through the sustainable development of the fisheries sector over a period of five years (2020-2025).
• It is an umbrella scheme to develop the fisheries sector with a total outlay of Rs. 20050 crores.

It has two components

• The Central Sector Scheme (CS) component with a non-beneficiary-oriented scheme and a Beneficiary oriented scheme (Central Assistance for General Category – 40%; SC/ST/Women – 60%).
• A Central Sponsored Scheme (CSS) component also with a non-beneficiary-oriented scheme and Beneficiary oriented scheme. The different break-ups of funding are: Central Assistance for Northeastern States – 90%, Other States – 60%; and UTs – 100%.

The areas expected to be covered by the PMMSY are:

• Fish production
• Fisheries productivity
• Quality of fisheries and aquaculture sectors
• Post-harvest infrastructure and management
• Modernization of value chain
• Welfare of the fishers and fish farmers
• Fisheries management framework

The objectives of the PMMSY are:

• Develop fisheries and aquaculture sectors.
• Harness the potential of fisheries sector in a sustainable, responsible, inclusive and equitable manner.
• Efficient use of land and water resources to enhance fish production and productivity.
• Modernize value chain considering post-harvest management and quality improvement.
• Double fishers and fish farmers’ incomes.
• Generate employment in the fisheries sector.
• Enhance fisheries sector’s contribution to overall agricultural Gross Value Added (GVA) and exports.
• Provide social, economic and physical security to fish farmers and fishermen.
• Develop a robust fisheries management and regulatory framework.

River Rejuvenation Detailed Project Report

Why in News?

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has released Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) worth Rs. 19,000 crore on the restoration of 13 important rivers through forestry initiatives.

Detailed Project Report

• It is based on the work done for the river as part of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) in 2015-16, and recognises that the growing water problem is caused by the deterioration of river ecosystems.
• To achieve the wide objectives of ‘Aviral Dhara’ (uninterrupted flow), ‘Nirmal Dhara’ (clean water), and ecological rejuvenation, the project took a multi-scale, multi-stakeholder, multidisciplinary, and holistic approach.
• The 13 rivers cover a total basin area of 18,90,110 square kilometres, accounting for 57.45% of the country’s entire geographical area.
  (i) These 13 rivers : Beas, Sutlej, Yamuna, Brahmaputra, Narmada, Godavari, Mahanadi, Krishna, Cauvery, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi,  and Luni.
• Within the designated riverscapes, 13 rivers total 42,830 kilometres in length, with 202 tributaries.
• The Brahmaputra Riverscape incorporated the highest number of tributaries (30) and 1,54,456 sq km area, respectively.
• The document propose many types of river afforestation. Timber species, medicinal plants, grasses, bushes, fuel feed, and fruit trees are among them.

Interventions Planned

• Within the vast expanse of a riverscape, the DPRs recognise the value of using a holistic riverscape approach for forestry interventions in three types of landscapes: natural, agriculture, and urban, as well as conservation interventions such as soil and moisture conservation measures, riverine and riparian wildlife management, and wetland management.
• Supporting activities include policy level interventions, strategic and adaptive research, capacity building, awareness creation, project management, and participatory monitoring and evaluation.

Potential Benefits of the Proposed Interventions

• Increased Forest Coverage: A total of 7,417.36 sq km of forest cover is expected to be added throughout 13 riverscapes.
• Help with Carbon Sequestration: Proposed interventions will aid in CO₂ sequestration to the tune of 50.21 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent in 10-year-old plantations, with 74.76 million tonnes of CO₂ anticipated to be sequestered in 20-year-old plantations.
• They will aid in groundwater recharge, minimise sedimentation, and create Rs. 449.01 crore from non-timber and other forest products.
• Significant Employment opportunities: With approximately 344 million man-days of work, they are likely to make a major contribution to job creation.

Challenges

• Growing water scarcity as a result of depleted freshwater resources, particularly due to the decreasing and deterioration of river ecosystems, is a key hindrance to meeting national environmental, conservation, climate change, and sustainable development goals.
• The project’s success is dependent on a number of elements, including the proper planting procedure and climate variations.