Agartala, 10th July 2026: The College of Fisheries, Central Agricultural University (Imphal), Lembucherra, in association with the North East Society for Fisheries and Aquaculture (NESFA), India, celebrated the 26th National Fish Farmers’ Day by organizing a Farmers–Scientists Workshop on the theme “Empowering Fish Farmers for a Sustainable Blue Economy in the Northeast Hill Region.”
Sponsored by the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Hyderabad, and NABARD, Tripura Regional Office, the programme attracted around 350 participants, including fish farmers, entrepreneurs, scientists, students, extension professionals, and policymakers. The event featured an Exhibition-cum-Technology Showcase, live demonstrations, release of publications, farmer felicitation, and distribution of fisheries technologies and inputs.
The programme commenced with the inauguration of the Exhibition-cum-Technology Showcase by the Chief Guest, Shri Animesh Debbarma,Minister for Forest, General Administration (Printing & Stationery), Science, Technology & Environment, Government of Tripura. Welcoming the dignitaries, Prof. Arun Bhail Patel, Dean, College of Fisheries, highlighted the significance of National Fish Farmers’ Day and the pioneering contributions of Dr. Hiralal Chaudhuri and Dr. K. H. Alikunhi to Indian aquaculture. He also highlighted the College’s achievements in teaching, research, and extension, while emphasizing Tripura’s demand–supply gap in fish production as a major opportunity for scientific aquaculture, entrepreneurship, and livelihood enhancement.
Addressing the gathering, Anjan Sen Gupta, Directorate of Biotechnology, Government of Tripura, emphasized the rich fish biodiversity of the Northeast, appreciated the College’s role in biodiversity conservation, highlighted the potential of Wolffia as an alternative fish feed, and advocated Green Governance.
Dr. Debashish Sen, Principal, College of Agriculture, Lembucherra; Dr. Burhan U. Choudhury, Principal Scientist and Head, ICAR Regional Centre, Tripura; and Dr. B. K. Mahapatra, Former Principal Scientist, ICAR-CIFE, Mumbai, also addressed the gathering. Dr. Biswajit Das was felicitated as the Best Fish Farmer of Tripura.
Several College publications were released, while technology products, quality fish seed, and fish feed were distributed among progressive fish farmers.
In his inaugural address, Animesh Debbarma applauded the College’s contributions to fisheries education, research, innovation, and extension and saluted all the fish farmers. He observed that Tripura’s high fish consumption and production deficit present immense opportunities for progressive fish farmers and entrepreneurs and emphasized stronger extension outreach in local languages by faculty and students.
The inaugural session concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Prof. Sagar Chandra Mandal, Senior Professor, who thanked the Chief Guest, Vice-Chancellor, CAU (Imphal), distinguished dignitaries, participating organizations, scientists, fish farmers, media personnel, faculty members, students, and stakeholders.
The programme continued with a Farmers–Scientists Interaction Session, promoting knowledge exchange and collaboration for sustainable fisheries development.
