Bihar is set to strengthen its fisheries sector with the launch of major infrastructure projects aimed at modernising inland aquaculture, increasing fish production and improving the livelihoods of fish farmers across the state. Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh, along with Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, will lay the foundation stones for an Integrated Aqua Park in Bhojpur and a Regional Centre of the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) in Patna on Monday.
According to an official statement, the initiatives are designed to transform Bihar’s inland fisheries ecosystem through the adoption of advanced technologies, scientific resource management, value-added production and employment generation.
The Integrated Aqua Park, being developed with an investment exceeding ₹31 crore, will feature a range of modern facilities including carp and catfish hatcheries, brooder incubation units, biofloc-based fish farming systems, a fish feed manufacturing unit, and laboratories for water quality testing and disease diagnostics.
Officials said the project is expected to significantly improve the availability of quality fish seed, encourage the adoption of modern aquaculture practices and enhance productivity among fish farmers. The upcoming NFDB regional center in Patna is expected to serve as a key support hub for fisheries development in the region, providing technical guidance, research support and capacity-building programmes for stakeholders.
The government believes these projects will help accelerate the growth of a technology-driven, quality-focused and export-oriented fisheries industry while creating new income opportunities for rural communities.
With fisheries emerging as an important contributor to agricultural growth, the new initiatives are expected to strengthen Bihar’s position in the country’s inland fish production sector and support the broader goal of increasing farmers’ incomes through diversified livelihood opportunities.
