Minister for Fisheries Sudhangshu Das on Tuesday visited the cage culture project at Dumboor Lake and hailed it as a transformative step toward strengthening fish production and improving the livelihoods of local fishing communities in Tripura. During his inspection, he noted that the project—jointly implemented by the Department of Fisheries and research institutions such as ICAR–Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CIFRI)—marks a major stride toward making the state self-reliant in fish production.
He emphasized that the initiative aims to reduce Tripura’s dependence on imported fish while uplifting the socio-economic conditions of tribal families living around the lake. Supported under central schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and backed by NABARD funding, the project has seen steady expansion. More than 1,500 cages have already been sanctioned, with continued distribution of equipment and fish seed to beneficiaries through late 2025.
“The cage culture initiative will play a vital role not only in increasing fish production and meeting the state’s demand, but also in making over 1,512 fish farmers economically self-reliant,” the minister said.
Cage culture involves installing netted enclosures in reservoirs where fish are reared in controlled conditions. At Dumboor Lake, the cages—constructed using bamboo, wood, or metal frames—are currently being used to rear species such as common carp, Pabda (Tripura’s state fish), Magur, and Singhi catfish.
Minister Das underscored the extensive support being provided to beneficiaries, including free distribution of cages, supply of fingerlings, training programmes, and financial assistance such as monthly allowances during the monsoon ban period when traditional fishing is restricted.
Encouraging more people to adopt fish farming, he said that broad participation would boost livelihood opportunities and help the state achieve its target of self-sufficiency in fish production. The minister was accompanied by Fisheries Secretary Deepa D. Nair, senior officials, and local representatives.
