Will the Centre's New Aquaparks Transform Fish Production in the Northeast?

Agartala, May 18 (NationPress) The Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Rajiv Ranjan Singh, announced on Sunday that the Centre has approved the establishment of 11 Integrated Aquaparks nationwide, with four designated for the northeastern states.

During a virtual ceremony to lay the foundation of Tripura's future Integrated Aquapark and to kick off the fish festival, the Minister outlined that these aquaparks will be located in Assam, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland.

“There is a significant demand for fish in Tripura and other northeastern states, which possess the potential to elevate fish production,” Singh informed the press.

He emphasized that both the Centre and state governments are collaborating to enhance fish production across the nation.

Moreover, he assured that the Centre will extend its full support to make Tripura self-reliant in fish and milk production. The Integrated Aquapark in Tripura is set to be established in Kailashahar, the headquarters of Unakoti district.

A senior official mentioned that this Integrated Aquapark is being developed with an investment of Rs 42.4 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). The facility in Kailashahar aims to modernize the state's fish production, processing, and marketing infrastructure, thereby benefiting various stakeholders.

According to an official statement, the Department of Fisheries, under the Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development, is prioritizing the establishment of Integrated Aquaparks as a key initiative under PMMSY. These aquaparks will function as integrated hubs, providing services that include hatcheries, feed mills, cold storage, processing, training, and marketing, all in one location.

These facilities will not only serve as physical structures but also act as catalysts for value chain development, innovation, and livelihood generation, especially for youth and women in the region.

The parks will operate on a hub-and-spoke model, tailored to meet regional requirements and thematic areas. This comprehensive approach ensures that all aspects of the fisheries and aquaculture value chain—from production to retail—are supported with end-to-end solutions, maximizing output and promoting sustainable growth.

Tripura has taken the lead in this initiative, boasting a high fish consumption rate of over 29 kg per capita per year. The state has made significant strides in its fisheries sector in recent years.

Under the PMMSY and the Blue Revolution, Tripura has received projects worth Rs 319 crore in the last decade aimed at expanding aquaculture, enhancing infrastructure, infusing technology, and providing welfare for fishers.

In the foundation stone laying event and fish festival inauguration, notable attendees included George Kurian, Union Minister of State, MoFAH&D, and Sudhangshu Das, Tripura’s Minister for Animal Resource Development. Certificates and sanction orders were distributed to various beneficiaries in the fisheries sector, which included the issuance of Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) to eligible fishers and fish farmers.

Outstanding cooperatives, Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs), and fisheries startups were also recognized for their contributions to the sector. Beneficiaries supported under PMMSY received certificates, showcasing the government's ongoing dedication to inclusive and sustainable development.