BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 14th February 2025: Fisheries Minister, Sudhangshu Das has assured the state’s unemployed youth of lucrative opportunities in fish farming citing a promising market and current production shortfalls. “A person can easily earn between Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore annually through fish farming by leveraging state and central schemes,” Das announced during the inauguration of the two-day state-level fish festival at Purbasha Complex in Agartala on Friday.
Despite the festive occasion, Minister Das expressed sorrow over the recent passing of Balai Goswami, the Sabhadipati of Paschim Tripura Zilla Parishad (PTZP) and a significant figure in the region’s fishery sector. “We are organizing this fish festival, but we have lost our dearest Balai Goswami. For the last five years, he was the chairman of Purbasha, and his contributions have been transformative. It is indeed painful for us all,” Das stated.
The minister highlighted the importance of the festival, noting that it aims to recognize and motivate fish farmers. “Last year, Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha inaugurated the fish festival. This time, we have decided to organize it at the district level to encourage fish farmers. This festival has already been completed in eight districts. It is being organized to recognize the hard work and contributions of fish farmers, motivating others in the process.”
Das emphasized Tripura’s high demand for fish, with 98% of the population being fish consumers. Despite a production of 85,000 metric tons from both culture and capture fisheries, the state requires 1,17,000 metric tons, leaving a gap of 32,000 metric tons. To meet this shortfall, fish is procured from neighboring states like West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh, as well as from Bangladesh.
The minister outlined several initiatives to boost production, including the PM Matsha Sampada Yojana, which funds the digging of water bodies, fishling distribution, and training workshops. Under the Mukhyamantri Matsha Bikash Yojana, a budget of Rs 160 crore was allocated in the last financial year. Additionally, a proposal for Rs 10 crore was sent to the North Eastern Council (NEC), with 50% of the funds already disbursed to 500 farmers.
The Fisheries Department has also sent a proposal to the Ministry of DoNER for the establishment of an Integrated Aqua Park, with an initial release of Rs 43 crore for the park in Kailashahar under Unakoti district. The park is expected to produce around 3,000 metric tons of fish annually.
The minister highlighted the concept of integrated farming in the agri-allied sector, which contributes 22% to the state’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). He credited the Modi-led government for strengthening the primary sector, enabling the provision of free rice to 80 crore people. “In this budget, farmers can become self-reliant by acquiring a benefit of Rs 5 lakh through the Kisan Credit Card (KCC),” Das added.
Fish farming entrepreneur Krishna Debbarma, who has employed over 100 people, is one of the many success stories in the state. “Unemployment is declining, and fish production will increase. In the next year, there will be incredible changes in the fisheries sector,” Das assured the gathering.
The festival saw the participation of over 50 entrepreneurs, cooperatives, and fish merchants, according to Fisheries Department Secretary Deepa D Nair. “This fish festival has been an annual event since 2019, and this year marks its third edition,” Nair noted.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including MLA Mina Rani Sarkar, ICAR Tripura Centre Principal Scientist BU Chowdhury, ARDD Director Neeraj Kumar Chanchal, Fisheries Director Santosh Das, Tripura Gramin Bank Chairman Satyendra Singh, and others.
Awards were presented to various contributors in the fisheries sector, including Krishna Debbarma of Sepahijala district for Best Job Provider, Sabuj Debnath of West Tripura for Best High Value Fish Production, Pechardhar MSS Limited of Unakoti district for Best Fisheries Cooperative, Sushanta Das of Dhalai district for Best Evergreen Fish Farmer, and Bella Mahila Dal of Gomati district for Best Value Added Fish Product Producer. Suraj Debbarma was also felicitated for his contributions to the sector.
