India’s first aqua tech park inaugurated in Assam: CM Sarma calls for blue revolution to make state atmanirbhar

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJuly 12, 2025

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday inaugurated the country’s first Aqua Tech Park at Bagibari in Sonapur, calling it a major milestone in the state’s push towards self-reliance in fisheries and aquaculture. Developed through a multi-agency collaboration involving Kolong-Kapili, NABARD, ICAR-CIFA, the state Fishery Department, and Selco Foundation, the park is the first of its kind in India.

The Aqua Tech Park will serve as a centre of excellence in water-based technologies, showcasing innovations such as aquaponics, bio floc systems, ornamental fish breeding, and modern fish production. Sarma said the park would help boost income for fish farmers by providing them access to advanced training and sustainable farming techniques.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that despite Assam’s abundant rivers, the state remains dependent on fish imports from states like Andhra Pradesh. He praised Kolong-Kapili for being a consistent source of innovation and inspiration, particularly for the youth of Assam. He said the organisation has played a transformative role in fishery training and entrepreneurship over the past 17 years.

In 2021, Kolong-Kapili, with support from ICAR and CIFA, launched an Aquaculture School that has since helped train thousands of youth in modern fish farming and integrated agriculture. Sarma said he expects the Aqua Tech Park to become a model for fisheries development in Assam and a vital tool for empowering rural entrepreneurs.

The Chief Minister noted that Assam had doubled its fish production in the last five years, reaching 4.99 lakh metric tonnes in 2024, and now ranks fourth in the country. He expressed confidence that Assam can break into the top five states in multiple sectors, including fisheries, with the support of sustained innovation and investment.

He also announced an ADB-assisted project worth Rs 800 crore under the Sustainable Wetland and Integrated Fisheries Transformation (SWIFT) initiative. A JICA-funded Rs 250 crore project is also underway to develop fisheries infrastructure across the state. Additionally, 10 fishery cluster development projects with a financial outlay of Rs 8 crore have been launched in the current fiscal year.

Sarma said that under the Mukhyamantri Atmanirbhar Asom Abhiyan, the state government is offering Rs 5 lakh to graduates of Raha Fishery College and Rs 2 lakh to individual fish farmers. Starting in September, one lakh youth in Assam will receive direct financial support under the scheme.

The Chief Minister cited examples of successful fishery entrepreneurs from across the state, including Debojit Barman from Nalbari, Hemanta Deka and Fatik Ahmed from Barpeta, and Sudipa Dey from Cachar. He urged the youth to follow in their footsteps and tap into the state’s growing fishery economy.

The inauguration event was attended by Kolong-Kapili Director Jyotish Talukdar, Fishery Minister Krishnendu Paul, Dispur MLA Atul Bora, NABARD CGM Loken Das, Vice Chairman of Assam Fisheries Development Corporation Nabarun Medhi, and Director of Fisheries Gauri Shankar Das, among other dignitaries.