Hon'ble MoS Prof. S P Singh Baghel visits Mandapam Regional Centre of ICAR-CMFRI
The Honourable Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel, visited the Mandapam Regional Centre of the ICAR–Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute on 29 December 2025.
During his visit, the Hon’ble Minister held detailed interactions with the scientists of CMFRI and reviewed the ongoing research, development, and extension activities of the Institute. He appreciated the significant contributions of CMFRI in advancing marine fisheries and mariculture and took keen interest in understanding region-specific research challenges and opportunities, particularly those relevant to the Gulf of Mannar region.
The Hon’ble Minister emphasised the need to strengthen sustainable fishing practices and mariculture as key drivers for improving the livelihoods of coastal fishing communities. He underscored that scientific research must translate into tangible socio-economic benefits for fishermen, especially through climate-resilient, environmentally responsible, and income-augmenting interventions.
In addition, the Hon’ble Minister held a long and detailed review meeting with the senior officials of the Department of Fisheries and the Department of Animal Husbandry in the Rameshwaram district. During the deliberations, he shared his observations from direct interactions with the fishing community, particularly during his visit to Pamban village, and discussed the practical challenges faced by fishermen at the grassroots level.
He expressed a strong desire that CMFRI should play a more proactive role in supporting coastal and island fishing communities by contributing to skill development, value addition, and livelihood diversification. The Hon’ble Minister specifically highlighted the immense potential of seaweed cultivation, ornamental fisheries, and mariculture-based enterprises and called for scaling up seaweed production through scientific support, training, and market linkage.
The Hon’ble Minister reiterated that collaborative efforts among research institutions, line departments, and local communities are essential for building a resilient and prosperous coastal economy, and encouraged CMFRI to continue serving as a knowledge and innovation partner for the sustainable development of India’s marine fisheries sector.
