Assams Aqua Tech Park: A New Era in Sustainable Fish Farming

Sonapur, September 14 (Daily Kiran) : The landscape of fish farming in Assam is undergoing a significant transformation, moving away from traditional methods reliant on ponds and rivers. At the forefront of this change is India’s first Aqua Tech Park located in Sonapur, where technology and innovation are being harnessed to maximize fish production with minimal water and resources.

Recently, journalists from Uttar Pradesh visited the Aqua Tech Park in Bagibari, Sonapur, to explore modern fish farming techniques, training programs, and employment opportunities. The park showcases various methods, including biofloc, aquaponics, and modern fish production, while providing practical training to farmers and youth. A key focus of the Aqua Tech Park is to enhance fish farming through better resource management, rather than adhering to conventional practices.

The biofloc technique exemplifies this approach, enabling farmers to manage and recycle a limited amount of water for increased fish yield. This method is particularly beneficial in areas lacking large ponds or sufficient water resources, making it an ideal solution for small-scale farmers and aspiring entrepreneurs. The park not only demonstrates this technology but also prepares farmers to implement it under real-world conditions.

In addition to biofloc, aquaponics integrates fish farming with plant cultivation, presenting an efficient model for resource utilization. Jyotish Talukdar, project director of the organization behind the Aqua Tech Park, Kalong-Kopili, noted that since 2007, they have been working on modern, climate-resilient fish farming, natural agriculture, community development, and biodiversity conservation in Assam and the northeastern region.

To date, over 60,000 farmers have received training, while more than 100,000 youth and women have been empowered with livelihood opportunities. The initiative, which began in Assam, has expanded to Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Tripura, Meghalaya, Bihar, and Odisha. Talukdar emphasized that the park aims to be more than just a demonstration center; it seeks to become an integrated hub for training, technology, research, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

The goal is for farmers and youth to not only observe the technology but also learn, adopt, and eventually build their businesses around it. Fishery expert Ashlesha Shraboni highlighted that farmers are trained to select techniques based on local conditions, available water, resources, and community needs. This strategy aims to develop solutions tailored to specific environments, making modern fish farming more practical for small and marginal farmers.

The foundation of this model was laid by the Aquaculture Field School, which was established on July 10, 2021, as a recognized initiative by ICAR-CIFA and the Government of India. Over time, it has evolved into the Aqua Tech Park, inaugurated by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on July 12, 2025. The development of the park involved collaboration with NABARD, ICAR-CIFA, the Assam Fisheries Department, and other partner organizations.

According to Kalong-Kopili, the model, enriched by 18 years of experience, has trained over 60,000 farmers, empowered more than 100,000 youth and women, connected over 3,050 women self-help groups, and developed over 420 community resource persons (CRPs). Additionally, more than 350 aqua entrepreneurs have been trained, and four farmer producer organizations (FPOs) have been formed.

The Aqua Tech Park also emphasizes integrating fish farming with renewable energy technologies, such as solar power. This initiative aims to balance production costs, energy availability, and sustainable practices in fish farming. Given that many rural families in Assam and the northeastern region rely on agriculture and related sectors for their livelihoods, the Aqua Tech Park represents a significant step towards transforming fish farming into a technology-driven rural enterprise.

If this model reaches farmers on a large scale, it could provide a viable self-employment option for youth with limited water, land, and local resources. Thus, the Aqua Tech Park in Sonapur is not just a center for showcasing fish production techniques; it is emerging as a promising experiment that could reshape the rural economy in the northeastern region.