Kisan and Machuara Mela Organised by ICAR-CIFE, Mumbai and ICAR-IASRI, New Delhi

20-21 March, 2026, Mumbai

Kisan and Machuara Mela was organized by ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai, and ICAR-Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute under the project “Kisan Sarathi 2.0: Enhancement, Operation, Maintenance and Support” supported and funded by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), and Digital India Corporation (DIC), New Delhi.

This two-day event was held at ICAR-CIFE, Mumbai, on 20 March 2026 for ICAR-CIFE staff and students, and on 21 March 2026 for fishermen, fisherwomen, fish vendors, fish farmers, and other stakeholders. The programme was designed to ensure active participation from both institutional members and grassroots communities, thereby encouraging knowledge exchange and strengthening the link between research, technology, and field-level application.

The event commenced with a welcome address that introduced the participants and highlighted the significance of the Kisan Sarthi initiative. This was followed by an informative session detailing the objectives, features, and benefits of the Kisan Sarthi 2.0 platform. The gathering was further addressed with emphasis on the role of such digital initiatives in empowering fish farmers and fishers through access to scientific knowledge and technology.

A total of 500 participants attended the two-day programme, reflecting strong engagement. On the first day, around 300 participants, including staff, students, research personnel, academicians, and representatives from collaborating institutions and organizations, participated both physically and online, ensuring wide representation and knowledge exchange.

On the second day, 125 fishermen, fisherwomen, and fish farmers from various coastal districts of Maharashtra engaged in capture fisheries, reservoir fisheries, ornamental fish farming, fish vending, and processing took part. Additionally, 75 participants, including institutional representatives, academicians, and project teams, contributed to the discussions.

Informative materials on the Kisan Sarthi app and portal were distributed in English, Marathi, and Hindi, enabling stakeholders across academic and fishing communities to easily access and understand the platform’s benefits. The initiative underscored the importance of bridging technology with grassroots communities to enhance knowledge sharing, problem-solving, and livelihood opportunities in the fisheries sector.

Fisher representatives highlighted the role of digital platforms in improving access to timely information, strengthening institutional linkages, and supporting sustainable livelihoods. Practical challenges faced by fishers were also discussed, along with the need for such initiatives to bridge gaps between experts and the fishing community through timely advisories and digital support.

Technical sessions held on both days included interactive discussions, detailed presentations, and live demonstrations of the Kisan Sarthi portal and mobile application. Participants were guided on downloading the app, registering, and raising queries, while also gaining hands-on exposure to its features and applications. Sector-specific domains developed for fisheries were presented, and feedback was collected to further enhance the platform’s effectiveness and user experience.

The programme was conducted with multilingual engagement to ensure inclusivity and better understanding among participants. The event concluded successfully with active participation, effective knowledge dissemination, and smooth coordination by the organizing team.

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