In a significant boost to Tripura’s fisheries sector, the state government has announced a major investment of Rs 38 crore for the development of a state-of-the-art modern fish market in Agartala.

The announcement was made by Fisheries Minister Sudhangshu Das during the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Integrated Aqua Park and inauguration of the Fish Festival at Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhavan.

Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh also graced the occasion.

Highlighting the progress in the sector, Minister Das said that fish production in the state has increased by 5,000 metric tonnes (MT) over the past three years, attributing the rise to proactive government initiatives and central schemes.

 “Tripura has a high demand for fish, with around 98% of the population consuming fish regularly. While the demand currently stands at 1.17 lakh MT, our production has reached 86,000 MT, leaving a deficit of 31,000 MT, which we compensate through imports from West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and even Bangladesh,” the Minister noted.

He stressed that Tripura has the potential to produce up to 1.5 lakh MT of fish annually and urged fish farmers to think beyond self-consumption and contribute to commercial production.

 “Many farmers with ponds are only producing fish for personal consumption. I appeal to all such individuals to scale up for the state's larger needs. Our fisheries officials must train and motivate these individuals to help them realise the income-generating potential of this sector,” Das said.

Praising the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) as a historic and transformative initiative, he extended his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and urged the Union Minister to consider extending the scheme further.

To maximise fish production, the state has undertaken a series of initiatives, including the utilisation of unutilised water bodies and specific projects targeting SC community villages to engage them in aquaculture.

Among the new projects, Rs 10 crore will also be invested in Rajnagar village and Unakoti district, aimed at boosting rural fisheries infrastructure.

 “We are committed to transforming Tripura into a self-sufficient and commercially vibrant fish-producing state. The Rs 38 crore sanctioned for converting Agartala’s Gol Bazaar into a modern fish market is a big step in that direction,” Minister Das concluded.