Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh Visits ICAR-CMFRI, Kochi Exhibition Stall at Puducherry

1 September 2026, Kochi

Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and Panchayati Raj, Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh, visited the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute exhibition stall at Puducherry in connection with the launch of Fisheries Infrastructure Projects under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana and the Multi-Dimensional Capacity Building Conclave for Co-operative-led Seaweed Farming under the Blue Economy.

The programme was organised jointly by the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India, and the Department of Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare, Government of Puducherry, today at Kamarajar Mani Mandapam, Puducherry. At the exhibition, ICAR-CMFRI showcased its activities and technological interventions in fisheries management, breeding and seed production of marine finfishes, seaweed farming and sea cage farming.

The stall was visited by several distinguished dignitaries, including Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel, Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and Panchayati Raj; Shri K. Kailashnathan, Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry; Thiru N. Rangasamy, Chief Minister of Puducherry; Thiru A. Anbalagan, Speaker of the Puducherry Legislative Assembly; Shri Malladi Krishna Rao, Fisheries Minister; Shri G. N. S. Rajasekaran, Agriculture Minister; Shri A. Namassivayam, Home Minister; Shri A. John Kumaradhas, Chief Minister’s Adviser; Shri V. P. Sivakolundhu, Civil Supplies Minister; Shri S. Selvaganabathy, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha); Dr Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Government of India; Dr Sharat Chauhan, Chief Secretary, Government of Puducherry; Dr Surabhi Rai, IFS, Joint Secretary (Marine Fisheries); and Dr Bijay Kumar Behera, Chief Executive, NFDB.

Among the Fisheries Infrastructure Projects inaugurated during the programme was the Advanced Centre for Innovation and Capacity Development (ACICD) in Seaweed Farming & Utilization at Karaikal, Puducherry. The centre is being implemented jointly by the Department of Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare, Government of Puducherry, and ICAR-CMFRI under PMMSY, with a project outlay of ₹1.92 crore.

Dr B. Johnson also delivered a technical presentation on the prospects of seaweed farming and utilization in Puducherry during the Multi-Dimensional Capacity Building Conclave for Co-operative-led Seaweed Farming under the Blue Economy. The presentation highlighted the potential of seaweed farming to create sustainable livelihood opportunities, strengthen the coastal blue economy and promote value addition through the utilization of seaweed resources.

(Source: ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi)