NFDB and State Fishery Department officials during press conference on Aquaex Northeast 2026 in Kohima on April 22. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | April 22
The Governing Body of National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) today announced that Aquaex Northeast 2026 (Regional Fisheries & Aquaculture Expo & Seminar) will take place on June 12 and 13 at Guwahati, Assam.
The Aquaex Northeast 2026 is a focussed regional edition of Aquaex India, designed to serve the heartland of India’s freshwater fisheries and inland aquaculture economy. It aims at strengthening the fisheries and aquaculture sector across the Northeast region.
“This will be an excellent regional platform to showcase everything about the fishery development,” said Rongsennungba, Director, Fisheries & Aquatic Resources, Nagaland while addressing a press conference here today in the presences of NFDB officials.
The Director said that Expo is organised by NFDB in association with Aquaex India and conceived as a unified regional platform to showcase sustained fisheries development across NE states with a main focus on farmers' environment, technology adoptions, market linkages and investment opportunities
The Expo will bring together fish farmers, hatchery operators, feed manufacturers, equipment providers, financial institutions, researchers from all eight NE states, Rongsennungba said.
He informed asked the interested entrepreneurs, fish farmers, aqua business and Naga fisheries graduates to approach the department by May 16 for attending the Expo.
Expo expecting 5,000- 6,000 entrepreneurs
Meanwhile, NFDB governing body member Rajnish Kumar informed that it is inviting more than 50 exhibitors at the Expo.”
He invites the progressive farmers, entrepreneurs, scientists from ICR, from across the country to share their experiences as well as education and the success stories of the farmers.’
“This expo is the farmer centric as well as the industrial investor centric. We are expecting some 5,000 to 6,000 entrepreneurs,” Kumar said, adding that the organisers will not be charging anything from the participants.
Touching on the scope of sector, he said that aquaculture is such an avenue where one can earn around Rs 10 lakh annually from one hectare.
Aquaex is a platform which provides or work as an aggregator for the farmers, scientists, state and NFDB and target to uplift the fish production and fish consumption in the country, he added.
Stating that 73% of Indians are deficient in protein, Kumar maintained that fish is the “one of the safest protein sources.”
“Our country's per capita consumption is hardly 11 to 12 kg, which is half of the global average,” he said adding that in the past ten years, after the central government, state government, and the NFDB collaborations has resulted in two schemes - Blue Revolution and Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, boosting fish production in the country.
‘Convert water bodies into productive fisheries’
Anup Sarmah, another governing body membermaintained that the NE region has a lot of water bodies which can be converted into productive fisheries to enhance rural economy and also generate employment.
Stating that the NFDB is aiming to conduct at least five Aquaculture Expos in the next five years, he stressed on the need to create a positive environment among the fish farmers.
All the feed manufacturing companies, equipment manufacturing companies, and the best fish farmers of the country of the region will be coming 2026 event, he said.
Sarmah also invited farmers and entrepreneurs of Nagaland to join the event describing it as NE India’s “premier fisheries and aquaculture expo.”
The platform will give lot of exposure in term of technologies, equipment and interactions, he said.
Stating that any sector development depends on the investment opportunities, he noted that investors and industrialists are exploring NE now, particularly in agriculture or aquaculture sector.
About Aquaex Northeast 2026
The event brings together farmers, entrepreneurs, hatchery operators, feed manufacturers, technology providers, researchers, banks, insurance companies, researchers and government agencies on a single platform to accelerate productivity, profitability and sustainability in fisheries.
As per the organiser, the NE holds vast freshwater resources and rich aquatic biodiversity, supporting rural entrepreneurs and youth while offering strong potential for expanding scientific aquaculture and strengthening regional fish production.
The platform is designed to unlock the next phase of sustainable growth by enabling access to modern inputs, improved aquaculture practices, efficient market linkages & financial services for the Ne India, it said.
At the Expo, stakeholders from India's fisheries and aquaculture sector will gather to explore innovations, emerging technologies, new market opportunities, quality improvements and value addition, fostering meaningful dialogue for the region's sustainable growth and long term resilience.
The Expo will feature exhibitions, technical sessions, live demonstrations, buyer-seller meets and interactive discussions, focusing on modern aquaculture practices, disease management, water quality monitoring, cold chain infrastructure, value addition and export opportunities.
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