Boost to modern fish farming
India’s First Aqua Tech Park Opens in Assam: India’s first Aqua Tech Park has been launched in Sonapur, near Guwahati, by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. This initiative marks a major step toward modernizing the fisheries sector in the Northeast.
Set up by NGO Kolong Kopili, the park is supported by NABARD, ICAR-CIFA, Selco Foundation, and the Assam Fishery Department. The aim is to introduce sustainable fish farming technologies to local farmers and improve production and livelihoods.
Technologies introduced
The park focuses on advanced methods such as biofloc, aquaponics, and ornamental fish breeding. These systems reduce water usage and increase productivity.
Biofloc technology improves water quality by converting waste into feed. It allows farmers to grow fish in tanks, even in small spaces.
Aquaponics is a combined system of fish farming and plant cultivation. Fish waste provides nutrients for plants, while the plants clean the water for fish, creating a self-sustaining model.
Static GK fact: Aquaponics is an eco-friendly farming technique that originated in ancient Aztec civilization and is gaining popularity in sustainable agriculture worldwide.
Assam’s fish economy on the rise
CM Sarma highlighted that despite Assam having abundant water resources, it depends on other states like Andhra Pradesh for fish supply. The Aqua Tech Park is expected to change this by increasing local capacity.
Between 2019 and 2024, Assam’s fish production doubled to 4.99 lakh metric tonnes, making it the fourth-largest fish-producing state in India.
Static GK fact: The top fish-producing states in India are Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Gujarat, and Assam.
Empowering youth and rural economy
Kolong Kopili, which has worked for over 17 years in fishery training, is spearheading the park’s operations. The facility will train local youth and farmers in new methods and connect them with market linkages.
The Assam government has launched 10 cluster development projects for fisheries, with an investment of ₹8 crore in the current financial year. These projects aim to integrate modern tools with traditional fish farming.
The park also offers training in value-added fish products, direct selling, and ornamental fish marketing, giving a full-cycle support system to the local fishery community.
Static GK Tip: Ornamental fish farming is an emerging sector in India with export potential, especially in states like Kerala, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
India’s First Aqua Tech Park Opens in Assam:
| Fact | Detail |
| Location of Aqua Tech Park | Sonapur, Assam |
| Inaugurated by | CM Himanta Biswa Sarma |
| Key Technologies | Biofloc, Aquaponics, Ornamental fish breeding |
| NGO involved | Kolong Kopili |
| Supporting institutions | NABARD, ICAR-CIFA, Selco Foundation |
| Assam fish production (2024) | 4.99 lakh metric tonnes |
| National fish production rank | 4th |
| Cluster development project investment | ₹8 crore |
| Year of park inauguration | 2025 |
| Youth training focus | Modern fish farming and marketing |
