Regional fisheries and aquaculture expo, seminar AquaEx Northeast 2026 to be held in Guwahati on June 12 & 13
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, April 23: Fish production in Northeast India has increased significantly over the past decade, rising from 4.03 lakh tonnes in 2014-15 to approximately 6.41 lakh tonnes in 2023-24. Despite this growth, the region faces a substantial supply deficit, requiring annual imports of 43,000 to 90,000 tonnes to meet demand
Addressing a press conference on Thursday, Rajnish Kumar, Governing Body Member of the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) and convenor of AquaEx Northeast 2026, noted that over 90 per cent of the region’s population consumes fish. In Meghalaya, current production stands at 20,000 metric tonnes against a demand of 32,000 metric tonnes, leaving a 12,000-tonne gap.
To address these challenges, AquaEx Northeast 2026—a regional fisheries and aquaculture expo and seminar—will be held on June 12 and 13 at the Maniram Dewan Trade Centre in Guwahati. The international event aims to connect the entire fisheries value chain, including farmers, hatcheries, technology providers, and policymakers.
“Fish is one of the most affordable sources of protein. This platform will help farmers adopt modern practices and improve productivity,” Kumar said. He pointed out that fish productivity in the Northeast remains below the national average, yielding about two tonnes per hectare compared to the national average of five tonnes.
Ashim Kumar Bora, Officer-in-Charge of NFDB-NERC, Guwahati, described fisheries as a high-growth industry expanding at 10 percent annually. He highlighted government initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), which focuses on infrastructure, cold-chain systems, and organic farming. In Meghalaya, these efforts include the construction of fish ponds and hatcheries.
NFDB member Anup Sarmah added that while trout farming is gaining momentum in Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, and Sikkim, marketing remains a challenge. The expo intends to bridge this gap by connecting farmers directly with buyers and investors.
Supported by the fisheries departments of all eight North Eastern states, the event is expected to draw around 5,000 stakeholders and feature over 50 exhibitors specialising in feed, medicine, and AI-driven aquaculture systems.
