The Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi inaugurated PM Kisan Samman Sammelan 2022 at ICAR – Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi today. The Prime Minister also inaugurated 600 Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samruddhi Kendras (PMKSK) under the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilisers. Furthermore, the Prime Minister also launched Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Urvarak Pariyojana – One Nation One Fertiliser. During the event, the Prime Minister also released the 12th instalment amount of Rs. 16,000 crores under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) through Direct Benefit Transfer. The Prime Minister also inaugurated the Agri Startup Conclave and Exhibition. Mr. Modi took a walkthrough of Theme Pavilion of Startup Exhibition and inspected the products on display. Mr. Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare; Mr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Chemical and Fertilisers; Union Ministers of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Ms Shobha Karandlaje and Mr. Kailash Choudhary and Mr. Bhagwanth Khuba, Union Minister of State for Chemical and Fertilisers, were those present on the occasion among others. The ICAR Institutes and Krishi Vigyan Kendras across the country arranged the webcasting of the event and various other activities. ICAR-KVK, RI-BHOI The Chief Guest, Smt. Plenty Makri, Secretary, Ri-Bhoi district Kisan Morcha and President, Umroi Constituency Kisan Morcha, briefed about the importance of Kisan Saman Sammelan and also urged all the farmers to open bank accounts and take maximum benefit from this scheme. Dr. V.K. Mishra, ICAR RC for NEH region, Umiam urged the farmers to take benefits from all the agricultural schemes and increased their income, social status and women empowerment. About 190 participants participated in the programme that includes about 164 farmers and farm women, about 16 Govt. officials and 10 members of FPOs. ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture The institute jointly with ICAR-CMFRI, Madras Research Centre organized a harvest mela-cum-farmer’s interaction programme at Kottaikadu village in Chengalpattu district of Tamil Nadu in which more than 205 aqua farmers and farm women, fishers, officials from start-ups, other stakeholders, Local Panchayat leaders, Village leaders, State Department officials have participated. Dr K P Jithendran, Director ICAR-CIBA explained in brief about the objectives of the interaction meeting and about PM programme on Agri-Start-Up Conclave Kisan Sammelan and the importance of Start-Ups in agriculture and aquaculture development in India. He also appreciated the members of the Self Help Groups of Kottaikadu village, who could realize a production of 2750 kgs of Asian Seabass through adoption of cage culture technologies scientifically and could realize a net profit of Rs.4.40 lakhs from six cages. At ICAR-CIBA, Kakdwip Research Centre, West Bengal, 125 farmers have participated, in which they briefed about the importance of PM Agri-Start Ups and Conclave of Kisan Sammelan and various societal development activities of KRC Kakdwip. The farmers interacted the scientists and clarified their technical doubts in brackishwater aquaculture. ICAR-Directorate of Cashew Research, Puttur On the side line a Skill Development training on various aspects of Cashew production for SC and ST farmers were also organised. Technical sessions were organised for the farmers on cashew nursery production techniques which included preparation of potting mixture, grafting and aftercare of cashew grafts, nutrient management and pest and disease management. A hands on training was also given to the farmers on softwood grafting in Cashew. A total of 71 farmers from Puttur, Chikkamagaluru and Kasaragod and staff of ICAR-DCR, Puttur attended the programme. ICAR – Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, Goa and ICAR – Krishi Vigyan Kendra, North Goa The Chief Guest, Mr. Vinay D. Tendulkar, Member of Parliament, Rajyasabha, was the Chief Guest and in his address highlighted the different central Agricultural Schemes like Kisan Samman Nidhi, PM Fasal Bima Yojana, etc. and also appreciated the efforts of ICAR – CCARI, Goa and ICAR – KVK, North Goa in transferring different technologies to the farmers. Mr. Kundan Fulari, Chairperson, Bicholim Municipal Council urged the farmers to take the benefit from ICAR- CCARI, Goa. Dr. Parveen Kumar, Director, ICAR – CCARI, Goa, spoke on the technologies developed by the institute for the farmers. The programme was attended by 168 farmers & farmwomen and councilors of Sanquelim and Bicholim. During the programme progressive farmers shared their experience with other farmers and farmwomen.