Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Radha Mohan Sigh in his presidential address emphasised that the need for remembering that the Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi on his birthday and reiterated his humble beginnings and Shri Modi’s life dedicated to the service of the nation which should serve as a beacon for the all citizens of India. The representatives of the people should become more focused and service oriented with a missionary zeal. The focus of his Ministry and the ICAR is to serve the best interests of the farmers and fishers. All efforts should be oriented towards the end beneficiaries so that the policy will get developed in the right direction
Dr. Gopal Krishna, Director (Acting), ICAR-CIFE, Mumbai welcomed the Hon. Minister and the gathering and stressed on the role of CIFE in improving the lives of the fishers livelihoods through joint efforts and partnerships.
Shri M. Gaikwad, Commissioner of Fisheries, Department of Fisheries, Maharashtra spoke on the need for improved value added products from fish by sourcing the same at low coast and thus providing a wider market base for the fishers and fish farmers
Dr. Bharti Lavekar, MLA, Maharashtra requested for more support from Department of Fisheries in order to improve the lives and livelihoods of the fishers. She requested for more interactive efforts and also joint programs with the related institutions
The Union Minister also distributed value added products a d agricultural kits to the fishers and farmers respectively. Few farmers also expressed their concerns which the Minister patiently listened and gave them suggestions.