Aquaex Northeast 2026, a premier fisheries and aquaculture expo, will be held in Guwahati from June 12 to 13 to boost fish production and farmers' welfare.
Share
KOHIMA — Aquaex Northeast, the region's premier fisheries and aquaculture expo, is scheduled to be held from June 12 to 13 at the Maniram Dewan Trade Centre in Guwahati.
This was announced during a press conference held at the Directorate of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Kohima on Wednesday.
The press conference was addressed by Rongsennungba, Director of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, along with Rajnish Kumar and Anup Sarmah, Governing Board Members of the National Fisheries Development Board, and other officials.
Rongsennungba stated that Aquaex Northeast is being organised by the National Fisheries Development Board in association with Aquaex India Events, an industry body.
He noted that the event is conceived as a unified regional platform to showcase sustainable fisheries development across the northeastern states, with a focus on farmers' welfare, technological adoption, market linkages, and investment opportunities.
He added that the Aquaex Northeast Expo 2026 will bring together fish farmers, hatchery operators, feed manufacturers, equipment providers, financial institutions, and researchers from all eight northeastern states.
Rajnish Kumar said Aquaex India serves as an aggregator platform for farmers, scientists, state governments, and the National Fisheries Development Board, with the goal of boosting fish production and consumption.
He pointed out that India is no longer food-deficient but remains protein-deficient, with nearly 73% of the population lacking adequate protein intake. He added that fish is the most affordable source of protein, yet the country's per capita consumption stands at only 11 to 12 kg, about half of the global average.
Highlighting government initiatives, he said two major schemes, the Blue Revolution and the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, have significantly contributed to doubling fish production in the past decade. He noted that India is currently targeting 197 lakh tonnes of fish production, with around 75% coming from inland fisheries.
Kumar further informed that this will be the first Aquaex exhibition in the Northeast, featuring exhibitions, seminars, and an investors' meet. Over 50 exhibitors are expected, covering pre-harvest, harvest, and post-harvest sectors of aquaculture.
He pointed out the lack of large-scale feed mills, recirculating aquaculture systems, biofloc units, and capacity-building infrastructure in the region.
He added that progressive farmers, entrepreneurs, and scientists from institutions such as ICAR will share their experiences, innovations, and success stories.
Encouraging participation, he said the aquaculture sector has been growing at an average rate of 10% in recent years and offers significant potential, especially due to its ability to produce high protein yields from minimal land.
Anup Sarmah described fish as the safest and most reliable source of protein and noted that people in the Northeast, particularly in Assam, consume fish regularly. However, he pointed out that the region still imports fish worth thousands of rupees annually, indicating untapped potential.
He said that by utilising the region’s abundant water bodies for productive fisheries, the Northeast can boost its rural economy, generate employment, and ensure affordable fish supply. He added that high transportation costs currently make fish expensive in places like Kohima and Dimapur.
Sarmah also highlighted that Andhra Pradesh has emerged as a major hub for fish production, but farmers from the Northeast often lack access to such advanced knowledge and technologies.
He said the Guwahati expo aims to bridge this gap by bringing together leading companies, experts, and successful farmers under one platform.
He urged farmers from Nagaland to attend the expo to gain exposure to modern aquaculture technologies, equipment, and best practices. He emphasised the importance of collaboration and knowledge-sharing across states.
Sarmah further noted that sectoral growth depends heavily on investment and that the Northeast is increasingly attracting investors in agriculture and aquaculture. He said the expo aims to initiate a long-term process of development and that organisers plan to hold at least five such expos over the next five years.
Meanwhile, Rongsennungba urged interested farmers, entrepreneurs, researchers, and fisheries graduates from Nagaland to approach the department for registration by May 16 for nomination to attend the expo.
He described the event as an excellent platform showcasing fisheries development, with participation from experts, industrialists, and exporters from across the country. Officials from the department will also take part in the expo.
Furthermore, NFDB officials informed that around 5,000 to 6,000 entrepreneurs are expected to attend the event. While participation is free, attendees will have to bear their own travel and accommodation expenses.