GUWAHATI, July 12: In a landmark development aimed at transforming the fisheries sector in the Northeast, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday inaugurated the region’s first Aqua Tech Park at Bogibari, Sonapur. The cutting-edge facility is envisioned as a hub for advanced aquaculture training and innovation, supporting Assam’s mission of self-reliance in fish production and feed.
Developed through collaboration between the Government of Assam, NABARD, ICAICIF, CELCO Foundation, and knowledge partner GIZ, the Aqua Tech Park will demonstrate modern aquaculture practices such as aquaponics, biofloc, recirculatory aquaculture systems, ornamental fisheries, and sustainable insect-based fish feed production. It aims to serve as a live training and resource centre for fish farmers from across the region.
“Despite being a riverine state with abundant water bodies, Assam has long relied on other states like Andhra Pradesh to meet its fish demand. With this Aqua Tech Park, we are taking a giant leap toward reversing that trend,” CM Sarma said during the inauguration.
He praised the contributions of local pioneers such as Kolong Kapili, a model aquaculture initiative that has trained over one lakh fish farmers in the past 17 years. Citing the programme’s national recognition by ICAR-CIFA in 2021, Sarma highlighted its role in inspiring new generations of fish entrepreneurs.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), Assam has significantly boosted its fishery infrastructure by creating new water bodies and supporting nearly 20,000 fish farmers with innovations like biofloc technology. The state’s Amrit Pukhuri scheme alone has helped establish 187 biofloc units.
