BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 10th July 2025: The College of Fisheries, CAU (Imphal), Tripura in collaboration with the North East Society for Fisheries and Aquaculture (NESFA), India, celebrated the 25thNational Fish Farmers’ Day today at its Lembucherra campus. The event commemorates the landmark achievement of Induced Breeding Technology developed on July 10, 1957, by legendary scientists Dr. Hiralal Chaudhury and Dr. K. H. Alikunhi, which revolutionized aquaculture in India.
The programme was graced by Sudhangshu Das, Minister for Welfare of Scheduled Castes, Animal Resource Development and Fisheries as chief guest. He inaugurated the Exhibition-cum-Technology Showcasing, lauded the efforts of the college and its students, and called upon fish farmers to adopt scientific and commercial approaches to boost fish production in Tripura. He paid tribute to the pioneering work of Dr. Chaudhury and Dr. Alikunhi and congratulated the College and NESFA for their leadership in organizing this important event.
In his welcome address, Prof.Arun B. Patel, Dean, College of Fisheries and Chairman of the Organizing Committee, highlighted the contributions of fish farmers in strengthening the fisheries sector and underscored the College’s role in supporting them through research, extension, and training. He also expressed gratitude for the guidance and encouragement of Dr. Anupam Mishra, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, CAU (Imphal).
Distinguished guests included Prof. Indira Sarangthem, Director of Instructions, CAU (Imphal), Anil S. Kotmire, General Manager, NABARD Tripura, Dr. S. Dam Roy, Former Director, ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair, Santosh Das, IAS, Director of Fisheries, Government of Tripura, and Debajit Barman, Progressive Fish Farmer from Assam.
As part of the celebration, progressive fish farmers from Tripura, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Assam, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh were felicitated as the “Best Fish Farmer” for their outstanding contributions to seed production, grow-out farming, and aquaculture entrepreneurship. The dignitaries also distributed fish seed and technological inputs to local fish farmers.
The event witnessed the participation of around 200 fish farmers, who engaged in fruitful interactions with scientists and experts during a Farmers-Scientists-Students Workshop on the theme “Innovative Technologies for Boosting Fish Production and Quality in NER.”
The programme was jointly supported by NABARD, NFDB and Tripura Gramin Bank. The event concluded with a formal vote of thanks by Prof. Gusheinzed Waikhom, Head, Dept. of AQC, College of Fisheries and President, NESFA, India.
