Commemorative Event for PM-KISAN in Kolkata Emphasizes Advancements in Fisheries and Agriculture Sector, Focus on Farmer Prosperity
On August 2, 2025, the ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CIFRI) and ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE) organised the PM-KISAN Utsav Diwas event in Kolkata. The aim was to promote the welfare and economic empowerment of fishers and fish farmers under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme.
The event, attended by Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, and Panchayati Raj, highlighted the pivotal role of fisheries in rural employment and livelihood sustainability. It featured engagement with 81 fishers and fish farmers from South 24 Parganas, scientists, and technical officers.
A key highlight was the live broadcast of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s virtual address to over 2 crore farmers nationwide. The PM reiterated the government’s commitment to farmer empowerment and the importance of the fisheries sector for rural development.
During the event, many farmers received real-time SMS confirmations of the credited amount from the PM-KISAN scheme. This marked the release of the 20th installment of the scheme, disbursing Rs 20,500 crore to benefit over 9.7 crore farmers nationwide.
The Union Minister urged farmers to take advantage of various government schemes such as the Kisan Credit Card (KCC), Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), and PM-KISAN. The Minister reaffirmed the Centre's commitment to the economic empowerment of farmers and fishers across India.
Dr. B. K. Das, Director, ICAR-CIFRI, and Dr. T. K. Ghoshal, Head, ICAR-CIFE Kolkata Centre, along with their respective teams, jointly coordinated the event. The event reflected the Government of India's vision of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas," highlighting the crucial role of scientific institutions in promoting sustainable and resilient growth in agriculture and fisheries.
The event was inaugurated with the ceremonial watering of a holy Tulsi plant by the Minister. West Bengal alone accounted for 44.78 lakh beneficiaries of the PM-KISAN scheme. The event included the participation of farmers connected via ICAR institutes, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), agricultural universities, PM Kisan Samriddhi Kendras, and Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies.
The event served as both a platform for direct interaction with fish farmers and a part of a larger scheme-wide celebration marking the disbursal of financial support to millions of farmers across India, emphasizing transparency, direct benefit transfer, and sustainable rural livelihoods within the fisheries sector.
[1] Source: Press Information Bureau, Government of India, August 2, 2025.
- Despite the focus on the farming sector, the Union Minister urged farmers to also consider the opportunities offered by the Prime Minister's Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and the Kisan Credit Card (KCC), highlighting the importance of the fisheries business for rural development.
- Amidst the celebration of the disbursal of financial support to millions of farmers across India, many fishers and fish farmers received real-time SMS confirmations of the credited amount from the PM-KISAN scheme, underscoring the crucial role of financial aid in the sustainability of rural business ventures.
