ICAR–CIFE, Mumbai Hosts Stakeholders’ Meet and Policy Roundtable on Fisheries Entrepreneurship

11 March 2026, Mumbai

The Fisheries Economics, Extension and Statistics (FEES) Division of ICAR–Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai organised a Stakeholders’ Meet and Policy Roundtable Conference titled “Enabling Entrepreneurship Ecosystem in Fisheries (E3F)” under the Industry–Academia Collaboration Programme.

The programme was held under the patronage of Dr N.P. Sahu, Director (Acting), ICAR–CIFE, with Dr Arpita Sharma, Head, FEES Division, serving as Convenor.
In the inaugural session, Dr Arpita Sharma welcomed the Chief Guest, Dr Sujeet Kumar Shukla, Director, ICAR–Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology, Mumbai, along with Dr Debajit Sarma, Director, In-charge, ICAR–CIFE.

The speakers emphasized the transformative role of entrepreneurship in building sustainable livelihoods and strengthening the fisheries sector. Dr. Shukla highlighted the importance of innovation and urged youth to become job creators rather than job seekers.

An “Innovation Booklet” showcasing student-led initiatives was released by the Chief Guest. Exhibits developed by students included AI and ML-based advisory platforms such as Bharat Prasar and Aquagauge, mobile applications like Meen Sathi and Apna App, value-added products including FishUwish meal kits and protein-enriched fish bread, and waste-to-wealth innovations such as FishANUre® manure, CIFE-Shubh Leather, and fish-scale-based products.

Technical insights were also shared highlighting grassroots entrepreneurship, cooperative models, rural technologies, and policy frameworks driving fisheries development.

The event witnessed participation from 45 experts representing NGOs, startups, cooperatives, industry, progressive farmers, policymakers, and academia from across Maharashtra and other states including Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka.

The conference highlighted the synergy between industry, academia, and community stakeholders, reinforcing the vision of a sustainable, innovation-driven fisheries sector aligned with Viksit Bharat 2047.

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