The Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying organized a ‘Northeast Region States Meet 2025’ today in Guwahati, Assam, under the chairmanship of the Hon’ble Union Minister, Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying (MoFAH&D) and Ministry of Panchayati Raj, in the gracious presence of Shri George Kurian, Hon’ble Minister of State, MoFAH&D and Ministry of Minority Affairs, and Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel, Hon’ble Minister of State, MoFAH&D and Ministry of Panchayati Raj.

The Union Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation for key projects amounting to about Rs. 50 crores under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), underscoring the Government’s commitment to advancing and targeting the self-sustained fisheries sector in the Northeastern Region. These projects were projected to generate 4,530 direct and indirect employment opportunities in the fisheries sector.

The Minister also distributed certificates to fisheries beneficiaries, including NFDP registration certificates, KCC cards, awards for the Best FFPOs and Fisheries Start-ups. 

Union Minister of MoFAH distributed certificates to fisheries beneficiaries including NFDP registrations, KCC cards and awards for Best FFPOs & Fisheries Start-ups, recognizing their vital role in the growth of the fisheries sector.@Min_FAHD @PIB_India @FisheriesGoI pic.twitter.com/M51irNPB31

— PIB in Assam (@PIB_Guwahati) January 6, 2025

To continue and sustain the sectoral growth momentum, the Department of Fisheries notified Organic Fisheries Cluster in Soreng District of Sikkim for development of organic fisheries and aquaculture in the State of Sikkim.

During his address, Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Hon’ble Union Minister, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and Ministry of Panchayati Raj highlighted the immense potential of the fisheries sector and urged states to take proactive responsibility in advancing fisheries activities and optimizing resource utilization. Emphasis was placed on species diversification, achieving a growth target of 20-25% in fish production, and bridging the production-consumption gap to ensure food security and generate employment. The Minister directed NFDB to visit Northeastern states at the district level to identify gaps and support holistic regional development and called on ICAR institutes to provide technical training to fish farmers and fishers to enhance efficiency. The states were also encouraged to make state specific plans to address region specific gaps. Key initiatives included leveraging the Fisheries and Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), fostering innovation through NFDB regional centers, formalizing the unorganized sector, developing brood banks, and training progressive farmers at CIFA and CIFRI. Adopting new technologies and transitioning from traditional practices were underscored as essential for driving sustainable growth.

Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel, Hon’ble Minister of State, MoFAH&D and Ministry of Panchayati Raj emphasized that doubling farmers' income can only be achieved through the integration of agriculture with allied sectors, particularly fisheries. Achieving self-sufficiency in the Northeastern Region (NER) was highlighted as a key priority, with a focus on adopting innovative aquaculture practices like Biofloc and Recirculatory Aquaculture Systems (RAS) to overcome land and resource limitations.

Shri George Kurian, Hon’ble Minister of State, MoFAH&D and Ministry of Minority Affairs, shed light on the traditional practices of integrated fish farming in the Northeastern Region (NER) and Kerala, including Tapioca-cum-fish farming and pig-cum-fish farming, which have been revitalized with modern techniques for improved efficiency. Emphasis was also laid on the need to focus on increasing fish production and adopting new technologies to further enhance the region's fisheries sector.

The meet was also graced by eminent dignitaries including Shri Krishnendu Paul, Hon'ble Minister of Fisheries, Government of Assam; Shri Gabriel Denwang Wangsu, Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture, Horticulture, AHVDD, Government of Arunachal Pradesh; Shri Pu Lalthansanga, Minister of Fisheries, Government of Mizoram; Shri H. Dingo Singh, Minister of Fisheries, Social Welfare, Skill, Labour, Employment and Entrepreneurship, Government of Manipur; Shri Sudhangshu Das, Minister of Fisheries, Government of Tripura; Shri Puran Kumar Gurung, Minister of Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services, Printing & Stationary and IPR Departments, Government of Sikkim; and Shri A. Pangjung Jamir, Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Government of Nagaland.

Dr. Bijay Kumar Behra, Chief Executive, NFDB, delivered the vote of thanks, effectively bringing the session to a close. Following this, the technical session on "Challenges and Way Forward in Fisheries & Aquaculture Development in NER" was led by Dr. JK Jena, DDG(Fy), ICAR. The session also included insightful discussions on "Environmental and Ecological Challenges for Fisheries Development in NER States" by Dr. Bijay Kumar Behera, Chief Executive, NFDB, and "Development of Open Water Fisheries Resources in NE States" by Dr. B. K. Bhattacharjya, Principal Scientist, CIFRI, Guwahati, which provided valuable perspectives on the sector's future in the region.

Watch video on the Development of Fisheries & Aquaculture in North East Region States

https://www.youtube.com/live/LV5CnlH5yrQ

Excerpts from Speeches of State Ministers from NER and other senior officials

Shri Krishnendu Paul, Hon'ble Minister of Fisheries, Government of Assam, addressed the gathering and highlighted Assam's significant contribution to the Indian fisheries sector, underscoring its vast resources and pivotal role. Assam has achieved a remarkable fish production of 4.75 lakh MT and an export volume of approximately 20,000 MT, benefiting fish farmers and fishers significantly. With over 90% of the state’s population consuming fish, fisheries hold a central place in Assam's economy. Projects under PMMSY have been identified to enhance production, productivity, and water storage capacity in the hills, aiming for resource rejuvenation and sectoral growth. Furthermore, the Assam Fisheries Development and Rural Livelihood Project, supported by JICA, Japan, focuses on holistic aquaculture development and generating sustainable livelihoods for the region is progressing well on ground.

Shri Gabriel Denwang Wangsu, Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture, Horticulture, AHVDD, Government of Arunachal Pradesh underscored the immense potential of the state in fisheries development and emphasized the importance of tailored initiatives to support small and artisanal farmers under PMMSY. The Minister proposed the establishment of a dedicated Coldwater Fisheries institution in Arunachal Pradesh and advocated for a one-time grant to enhance seed production infrastructure. Highlighting opportunities for open-water fisheries and the adoption of sustainable practices, the Minister also called for a policy or scheme specifically designed to address the unique strengths of Himalayan states.

Shri Pu Lalthansanga, Minister of Fisheries, Government of Mizoram emphasized the need to expedite approvals and release of funds under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) to accelerate fisheries development in the state. The importance of including pond renovation and rejuvenation under PMMSY was highlighted, as these activities are critical for Mizoram's fisheries sector. Additionally, addressing low productivity, improving the availability of quality seed and feed, and prioritizing capacity building and training for fish farmers were identified as key areas requiring attention.

Shri H. Dingo Singh, Minister of Fisheries, Social Welfare, Skill, Labour, Employment and Entrepreneurship, Government of Manipur acknowledged the transformative impact of PMMSY on the fisheries and aquaculture sector in the state. The establishment of hatcheries, biofloc systems, ponds, cage culture installations, ornamental fish farming, fish kiosks, value-added enterprises, disease diagnostic facilities, and cold storage units has collectively enhanced infrastructure and opportunities in Manipur.

Shri Sudhangshu Das, Minister of Fisheries, Government of Tripura highlighted that the state has a fish production capacity of 2 lakh, with 38,594 hectares dedicated to fish culture. The current production stands at 85,000 MT, while the demand is 117,000 MT, with the gap being met through imports from West Bengal, Assam, and Andhra Pradesh. The minister pointed out that 98% of the population in Tripura consumes fish. He also discussed the challenges associated with Biofloc and pearl culture, mentioning the seasonality of the sector as a key issue.

Shri Puran Kumar Gurung, Minister of Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services, Printing & Stationary and IPR Depts, Government of Sikkim highlighted the state's significant benefits from PMMSY, including activities like trout raceway hatcheries, aquaculture systems, and ornamental fish rearing. He requested support for pending proposals, such as the construction of raceways and ornamental fish units and sought the establishment of a fisheries training center. Emphasizing Sikkim’s organic status, the Minister called for additional support and stressed the importance of ICAR institutes for the state’s fisheries development.

Shri A. Pangjung Jamir, Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Government of Nagaland emphasized the state's rich fisheries resources and significant potential for growth, particularly in developing new ponds and tanks. The introduction of integrated fish farming was highlighted as a key strategy to enhance productivity and further elevate the income of fish farmers. The region's promising potential for ecotourism was also recognized, and opportunities for improving fish transportation in the hilly areas were noted as an area for further development.

Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary (Fisheries), Department of Fisheries, MoFAH&D, in his keynote address expressed gratitude to the Hon'ble Minister and state ministers, highlighting over ₹2,000 crores allocated to the Northeastern Region (NER), including ₹1,700 crores under PMMSY. He emphasized three key areas: the formalization of fisheries through digitalization, urging state officials to prioritize it; promoting the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) with financial tools like interest subvention and credit guarantees; and advancing integrated farming through FFPOs and SHGs. The Secretary also called for supporting youth startups and addressing gaps to boost fish production, aiming for a target of 12 lakh tons.

Shri Sagar Mehra, Joint Secretary (Inland Fisheries), Department of Fisheries, MoFAH&D, GoI, delivered a comprehensive presentation on the achievements of the Indian fisheries sector, emphasizing key aspects such as production, productivity, income, and exports. A detailed overview was provided of the investments and programs supporting the sector, while also highlighting the abundant resources in the Northeastern Region (NER). The presentation addressed the existing challenges and gaps and outlined strategic approaches and focus areas for future growth and development.

Link for watching the entire event

https://www.youtube.com/live/LV5CnlH5yrQ

PG/SM