On May 18, 2025, in a significant boost to the fisheries sector in the Northeast, Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh), who heads the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, as well as the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, laid the foundation stone for a state-of-the-art Integrated Aquapark in Kailashahar, Tripura. The Rs 42.4 crore project, being developed under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), aims to enhance the region’s aquaculture capacity.
The event, held in Agartala, also featured the inauguration of a Fish Festival showcasing Tripura’s aquatic biodiversity and cultural heritage. The occasion witnessed the presence of several dignitaries, including Minister of State George Kurian, Tripura’s Fisheries Minister Sudhangshu Das, and Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Tinku Roy.
In his address, Union Minister Singh highlighted the fisheries sector’s role in strengthening India’s rural economy, noting its 9.08% annual growth rate since 2014-15 — the highest among agriculture and allied sectors. Emphasizing Tripura’s untapped potential, he called for integrated farming practices, modern technology adoption, and innovation to bridge the demand-supply gap in fish production.
The Minister revealed that four of the 11 Integrated Aquaparks planned nationwide are located in the Northeast, including the one in Tripura. He set an ambitious goal for the state to achieve fish production of 2 lakh tonnes — exceeding its consumption need of 1.5 lakh tonnes — and expressed hopes of transforming Tripura into a fish-exporting and organic aquaculture hub.
Minister Singh stressed timely completion of the Aquapark project and the importance of institutional training for fish farmers. He encouraged beneficiaries to take advantage of government initiatives like the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) and PMMSY, assuring continued support through the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB). He also discussed enhancing scampi production, boosting ornamental fisheries, and improving market access and sustainability.
Minister of State George Kurian underlined the critical role of fisheries in Tripura’s food security and economy, especially given that 98% of the state’s population consumes fish. He called for productivity enhancements to meet rising demand.
Tripura’s Fisheries Minister Sudhangshu Das reaffirmed the state’s commitment to uplifting fishers through focused schemes, including the Matsya Sahayata Yojana, which provides Rs 6,000 in annual aid to identified beneficiaries. He encouraged young people to explore fisheries as a viable livelihood option.
Tinku Roy, Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, emphasized the need for collective action and collaboration to improve livelihoods through fisheries development.
Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Union Secretary, MoFAH&D, spoke about the central government's comprehensive investment in fisheries through schemes such as PMMSY, FIDF, and the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PMMKSSY), with a total budget outlay nearing Rs38,000 crore. He stated that projects worth Rs2,114 crore have already been sanctioned for the Northeast, including Rs319 crore for Tripura alone.
He advocated for the adoption of advanced technologies like Recirculatory Aquaculture Systems (RAS), Biofloc, and drone applications. Stressing livelihood security, Dr. Likhi also highlighted the importance of insurance coverage and promoted the cultivation of high-value indigenous species like Pabda and Singhi. The event was also attended by Sagar Mehra, Joint Secretary, Department of Fisheries, and Dr. Bijay Kumar Behera, CEO of NFDB, along with senior officials from both central and state departments.
