Live Interaction with Union Agriculture Minister Highlights Farmer Welfare, Rabi Preparedness and Strengthening of Agricultural Extension: ICAR-CIFRI Participates

13 September 2026, Barrackpore

ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore, participated today in a Live Online Session chaired by the Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The session focused on key achievements, ongoing initiatives and emerging priorities in the Agriculture and Allied Sectors, with particular emphasis on farmers’ welfare, income enhancement, sustainable livelihoods and preparedness for the upcoming Rabi season. The Minister emphasized that Rabi 2026–27 preparedness will be undertaken in a participatory mode with farmers, with a focus on ensuring the timely availability of appropriate technologies, quality inputs and scientific advisories to farmers.

Addressing the participants, Shri Chouhan emphasised the importance of making Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) reliable centres for addressing farmers’ problems and ensuring that appropriate scientific advice and modern technologies are made available to farmers at the local level. He also highlighted the need for strengthening KVKs through employee-oriented reforms, time-bound recruitment against vacant positions and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with State Governments.

The programme underscored the Government’s continued commitment to strengthening agriculture and allied sectors and ensuring the effective dissemination of scientific knowledge, innovations and technologies among farming communities. The Minister reiterated that farmers’ prosperity remains the highest priority.

Following the live interaction, a discussion was held with the farmers and stakeholders present at ICAR-CIFRI on emerging opportunities in the fisheries sector, with emphasis on technology adoption, diversification, productivity enhancement, value addition and sustainable livelihood opportunities. The interaction provided a platform for understanding farmers’ needs and discussing the scope for translating fisheries research and innovations into practical, income-generating opportunities.

ICAR-CIFRI’s participation reaffirmed its commitment to promoting scientific inland fisheries, technology dissemination and farmer-centric interventions for sustainable livelihoods, enhanced fish production and nutritional security. The Institute continues to work towards translating fisheries research and innovations into practical technologies and solutions for farming communities, thereby contributing to the broader vision of a prosperous and self-reliant agriculture and allied sector.

A total of 43 stakeholders, including 32 farmers, participated in the live interaction at the ICAR-CIFRI premises, Barrackpore, under the guidance of Dr Pradip Dey, Director, ICAR-CIFRI.

(Source: ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore)