ICAR-CIFE, Mumbai Hosts Event to Mark 20th Instalment of PM-KISAN Scheme

2 August 2025, Mumbai

ICAR–Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai organized a special event to commemorate the release of the 20th instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Scheme at Versova, Mumbai today under the leadership of Dr. N.P. Sahu, Acting Director, ICAR-CIFE.

The programme was graced by Shri Ramdas Athawale, Union Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment, as the Chief Guest. The inaugural address was delivered by Dr. Debajit Sarma, Acting Director In-Charge and Head of the Aquaculture Division, who highlighted ICAR-CIFE’s pivotal role in fisheries education, research, and extension.

In his address, Shri Athawale acknowledged the significant contribution of ICAR-CIFE in strengthening the fisheries sector and appreciated its community-centric initiatives such as fish market cleanliness drives and sustainable waste utilization. He highlighted the success of PM-KISAN and the importance of schemes like Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) for modernizing capture and culture fisheries.

The Minister also released ICAR-CIFE publications and distributed Swachhta kits to fisherwomen under the ICAR-funded “Swachhta Action Plan” project, aimed at promoting sustainable practices and fish waste utilization in urban fish markets.

A key feature of the event was the interactive session “Mann ki Baat Machuaron ke Saath”, moderated by Dr. Arpita Sharma, Head, Fisheries Economics, Extension and Statistics Division.

The session enabled meaningful dialogue between the fishing community, scientists, and the Minister. Community representatives emphasized the need to extend benefits of flagship schemes like PM-KISAN, Lakhpati Didi, MSP, and others to fishers, while also requesting heritage recognition for the Koli community.

The event witnessed participation from over 60 fishers, including men and women from fishing villages like Versova, Juhu, Madh, and Manori, along with representatives from FPOs, cooperatives, scientists, students, media, and officials from PIB, Doordarshan, and NIC.

The programme concluded with the live telecast of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s national address from Varanasi, marking the release of the 20th PM-KISAN instalment.

(Source: ICAR–Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai)