Wednesday, 18 June 2025
Union Minister highlights Tripura’s fisheries potential, unveils Rs 42.4 Cr aquapark, eyes Organic Fish Cluster Development
In a major initiative to strengthen the fisheries sector in the Northeast, Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, who oversees the Ministries of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, and Panchayati Raj, laid the foundation stone for a modern Integrated Aquapark in Kailashahar, Tripura. The Rs 42.4 crore facility, being established under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), is set to boost aquaculture development in the region.
The ceremony, held in Agartala, also included the launch of a Fish Festival celebrating Tripura’s rich aquatic biodiversity and cultural traditions. The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Minister of State George Kurian, Tripura Fisheries Minister Sudhangshu Das, and Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Tinku Roy.
During his address, Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh emphasized the vital role of the fisheries sector in strengthening India’s rural economy, noting its impressive 9.08 per cent annual growth rate since 2014–15 — the highest among agriculture and allied sectors. He underscored Tripura’s untapped potential in fisheries and called for the adoption of integrated farming systems, modern technologies, and innovative practices to address the fish production-demand gap.
The Minister announced that four out of 11 Integrated Aquaparks planned across India will be established in the Northeast, including the one in Tripura. He set an ambitious target for the state to produce 2 lakh tonnes of fish annually — significantly surpassing its consumption need of 1.5 lakh tonnes — aiming to transform Tripura into a surplus-producing, fish-exporting, and organic aquaculture hub.
Singh highlighted the importance of timely project execution and capacity-building through institutional training for fish farmers. He urged stakeholders to leverage central schemes such as the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) and PMMSY, reaffirming the government’s commitment via continued support from the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB). He also addressed the need to enhance scampi production, promote ornamental fisheries, and improve market access while ensuring sustainability in the sector.
