Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh and CM Of Bihar Samrat Choudhary to Lay Foundation Stone of Integrated Aqua Park at Bhojpur and Inaugurate NFDB Regional Centre at Patna on 15 June 2026

Hon’ble Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and Panchayati Raj, Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh, along with Hon’ble Chief Minister of Bihar, Shri Samrat Choudhary, will lay the foundation stone of the Integrated Aqua Park at Bhojpur, with a total investment of ₹31.21 crore, and inaugurate the NFDB Regional Centre at Patna in Bihar on 15 June 2026.

These initiatives aim to strengthen Bihar’s inland fisheries ecosystem through modern

technologies, scientific resource management, employment generation, and value addition, while supporting the transition towards a technology-driven, quality-focused, and export-oriented fisheries sector.

Bihar is endowed with vast and diverse inland water resources, including 1.22 lakh ha of tanks and ponds, 0.64 lakh ha of reservoirs, 9.5 lakh ha of floodplain lakes (chaurs) and derelict waters, and over 21,354 km of rivers and canals. Principal species cultured include Catla, Rohu, Mrigal, Grass Carp, Common Carp, Silver Carp, Pabda, Tilapia, Pangasius, Magur (catfish), Scampi, and ornamental fish. This rich resource base gives Bihar significant potential as an inland fisheries powerhouse.

The Government of India has approved projects worth ₹902.84 crore for Bihar over the last 11 years, including ₹579.72 crore under PMMSY. These investments have created a strong infrastructure base, including brood banks, hatcheries, RAS and biofloc units, fish feed plants, cold-chain and transport facilities, and aquatic referral laboratories.

As a result, fish production in Bihar has more than doubled, propelling the State from 9th to 4th position among inland fish-producing States. Bihar now supplies around 89,600 MT of fish annually to neighbouring States, emerging as a net exporter in the region.

A Wetland Fisheries Cluster has been notified in Bihar, covering 9.5 lakh ha of floodplain lakes and derelict water bodies. The cluster aims to promote community-based fisheries management, coordinated stocking, and shared post-harvest infrastructure, thereby unlocking the productive potential of Bihar’s wetland commons.

The Integrated Aqua Park at Vanasaur Fish Seed Farm, Bhojpur has been approved at a total cost of ₹31.21 crore under PMMSY. The Aqua Park will include carp and catfish hatcheries, brooder incubation units, biofloc systems, RAS units, a fish feed mill, water quality and disease diagnostic laboratories, quarantine facilities, and a 50-bed training hostel.

Key objectives include assured quality seed supply, demonstration of modern aquaculture technologies, and structured residential skill development in convergence with NFDB. The project is expected to significantly strengthen seed availability, promote technology adoption, and enhance farmer incomes in the region.

The NFDB Regional Centre at Patna will serve as the institutional hub for Bihar and the eastern region, ensuring closer convergence of schemes, technology, and field-level implementation support. It will promote modern aquaculture systems such as RAS, biofloc, cage culture, and precision farming, while focusing on capacity building, skill development, and continuous technical handholding of fishers and entrepreneurs.

Bihar holds immense untapped potential in inland fisheries. The Government of India is promoting integrated development through PMMSY, FIDF, and PM-MKSSY, focusing on fish production, seed infrastructure, cold-chain development, value addition, technology adoption, and fisher welfare.

Together, the Integrated Aqua Park and the NFDB Regional Centre will create a production-to-institution continuum—combining infrastructure, technology, and knowledge systems to drive measurable improvements in productivity, income, and employment.