Agartala, September 11, 2025: Tripura’s Animal Resource Development & Fisheries Minister, Sudhangshu Das on Wednesday held important meetings with the Union Minister of State and officials in New Delhi to discuss development and welfare initiatives for the state’s farmers and livestock sector.
Minister Das met Union Minister of State for Fisheries and Animal Husbandry & Dairying, George Kurian accompanied by Tripura’s ARD & Fisheries Department Secretary Deepa D. Nair. During the meeting, Das emphasized the productive discussions on departmental development, welfare programs and future opportunities aimed at benefiting the people of Tripura.
“We presented an elaborate report on proposed projects valued at over Rs 200 crore, designed to significantly aid farmers and the general population of the state,” Minister Das told Tripura Observer over phone. He added that the Union Minister expressed a highly positive stance towards extending full support from the central government to Tripura and its agricultural community.
Minister also added in his letter “Proposals were submitted to the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Hyderabad for three projects, but none have been approved yet. A proposal for Rs. 7.26 lakh was submitted on 22.08.2023 for the implementation of the project “Stocking of fingerlings in Rudrasagar Lake and awareness programme.” Another proposal for Rs. 50.00 lakh was submitted on 09.10.2024 for the “Infrastructure Development of Tripura Fisheries Development Board (TFDB).” Additionally, a proposal for an alternative project amounting to Rs. 262.46 lakh, covering the financial years 2020-21 and 2021-22 under PMSSY, was submitted on 31.05.2024 and later resubmitted to the Joint Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, on 01.10.2024. All proposals are still awaiting approval.”
“There are around 2 lakh fish farmers in Tripura, with an average productivity of less than 3000 kg/ha/year. About 20% of farmers are progressive, already achieving 3000 kg/ha/year. However, due to the State’s topography, horizontal expansion is limited. Therefore, further increasing productivity is essential to meet both the quantitative and qualitative fish demand. This requires motivating farmers to adopt improved practices by enhancing their knowledge, skills, and attitudes—especially through exposure visits to successful farmers elsewhere.”
“The Secretary and Director of ARDD, Tripura, have urgently requested 1.5 lakh doses of Classical Swine Fever (CSF) vaccine from DAHD under LHDCP, which are yet to be received. The Additional Secretary cum CEO of TLDA has submitted an action plan for FY 2025-26 worth Rs 5369.80 lakh under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) for various components, which is pending fund sanction. Additionally, a project proposal for establishing a Heifer Rearing Centre (HRC) under RGM, valued at Rs 831.60 lakh for FY 2025-26, has been submitted to provide low-cost breed solutions and improve local milk production, awaiting approval”, the minister added.
Additionally, Minister Das and Secretary Deepa D. Nair held discussions with the Union Secretary of the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, focusing on strategies to strengthen the livestock sector, explore new growth opportunities, and enhance benefits for farmers across Tripura.
