Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Inaugurates India's First Aqua Tech Park To Boost Fish Farming And Empower Farmers

Guwahati: A first-of-its-kind water technology park in Assam, showcasing advanced technologies in aquaponics, biofloc system, modern fish production, ornamental fish breeding and other innovative areas, was inaugurated by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Set up by NGO Kolong Kopili in association with NABARD, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA), Fishery Department and Selco Foundation, the 'Aqua Tech Park' was opened at Sonapur, on the outskirts of Guwahati, on Saturday.

Speaking on the occasion, Sarma said that the Aqua Tech Park will aim at empowering fish farmers with knowledge of cutting-edge technologies that will enhance fish production and boost the income of the cultivators.

He said that though Assam has many rivers, it is dependent on states such as Andhra Pradesh for meeting its fish demands.

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Lauding it for the initiative, he said that for the last one-and-a-half decades, Kolong Kopili has been a source of inspiration to the youth across the state.

By rendering training to different stakeholders on modern techniques of fish production for the last 17 years, Kolong Kopili has impacted the lives of the entrepreneurs and fish farmers of the state positively, Sarma added.

The chief minister expressed hope that the Aqua Tech Park would prove to be a boon to the farmers and other stakeholders, and boost fish production and provide ample earning opportunities to the fish farmers.

Noting the possibility in the field of fishery, he said that between 2019 and 2024, Assam doubled its fish production to 4.99 lakh metric tonnes and became the fourth-largest fish-producing state in the country.

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Sarma said that with the synergy of the conventional agriculture system and modern technology, the state government, in the current financial year, created 10 fishery cluster development projects, with an outlay of Rs 8 crore.

He urged the youth to be involved in the fishery sector and contribute to the economy of the state.

Kolong Kopili is a non-governmental organisation involved in integrated fish farming, horticulture, health awareness and developing market linkages for rural communities and farmers.

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