Press Release
Press Release from Fisheries Department
Information & Public Relations Department
National Fish Farmers Day Celebrated at Pangthang, Gangtok District.
Gangtok, 10th July 2026: The Fisheries Department, Government of Sikkim, with the support of the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), celebrated National Fish Farmers Day 2026 at Smt. Kopila Pandey's Fish Farm, Pangthang, Gangtok District, under the theme "Honouring Farmers, Strengthening Fisheries, Nourishing the Nation."
The programme was attended by around 50 fish farmers from Rakdong and adjoining areas, along with Mrs. Roshni Rai, Secretary, Fisheries Department; Shri K. K. Shrestha, Principal Director; Dr. Karma Doma Bhutia, Additional Director; Dr. Rinchen Ongmu Bhutia, Joint Director, and other senior officers of the Department. The event recognized the contribution of fish farmers and created awareness on various government initiatives for sustainable fisheries development.
Delivering the welcome address, Shri Surendra Bhandari, Assistant Director & District Head, Gangtok District, highlighted the significance of National Fish Farmers Day and the progress achieved in the fisheries sector through various Central and State Government schemes.
Dr. Prakash Sharma, Head, KVK, Ranipool, encouraged farmers to adopt scientific aquaculture practices and emphasised the importance of value addition, effective marketing strategies, and strong market linkages for improving farmers' income. Dr. Karma Doma Bhutia, Additional Director, motivated farmers to adopt modern aquaculture technologies and highlighted the benefits of fish insurance, Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY), and other departmental initiatives.
Four progressive fish farmers and fishermen were felicitated with certificates and mementoes in recognition of their contribution to the fisheries sector. During the interaction session, Shri P. B. Karki, President, Rakdong-Tintek Fish Farmers Cooperative Society, requested the Government to provide subsidized fish feed to reduce production costs.
Addressing the gathering, Mrs. Roshni Rai, Secretary, Fisheries Department, encouraged fish farmers to avail the benefits of the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme for purchasing fish feed and other essential inputs through low-interest institutional credit. Responding to the farmers' demand, she assured that the Department would place a proposal before the Government for providing subsidised fish feed. She reiterated the Department's commitment to implementing farmer-centric policies and strengthening the fisheries sector through improved access to government schemes and institutional support.
As part of the programme, fish feed was distributed to 12 progressive fish farmers of Gangtok District. Another major highlight was the flagging-off of a Bolero Camper transport vehicle procured under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) for the Amur Carp Brood Bank, Rohtak, Soreng District, which will facilitate the transportation of broodstock, fish seed, feed, and other essential materials.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Shri Naresh Sunar, Assistant Director, Fisheries Department, expressing gratitude to all dignitaries, fish farmers, and participants for their support and commitment towards the sustainable development of the fisheries sector in Sikkim.
Gangtok, 10th July 2026: The Fisheries Department, Government of Sikkim, with the support of the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), celebrated National Fish Farmers Day 2026 at Smt. Kopila Pandey's Fish Farm, Pangthang, Gangtok District, under the theme "Honouring Farmers, Strengthening Fisheries, Nourishing the Nation."
The programme was attended by around 50 fish farmers from Rakdong and adjoining areas, along with Mrs. Roshni Rai, Secretary, Fisheries Department; Shri K. K. Shrestha, Principal Director; Dr. Karma Doma Bhutia, Additional Director; Dr. Rinchen Ongmu Bhutia, Joint Director, and other senior officers of the Department. The event recognized the contribution of fish farmers and created awareness on various government initiatives for sustainable fisheries development.
Delivering the welcome address, Shri Surendra Bhandari, Assistant Director & District Head, Gangtok District, highlighted the significance of National Fish Farmers Day and the progress achieved in the fisheries sector through various Central and State Government schemes.
Dr. Prakash Sharma, Head, KVK, Ranipool, encouraged farmers to adopt scientific aquaculture practices and emphasised the importance of value addition, effective marketing strategies, and strong market linkages for improving farmers' income. Dr. Karma Doma Bhutia, Additional Director, motivated farmers to adopt modern aquaculture technologies and highlighted the benefits of fish insurance, Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY), and other departmental initiatives.
Four progressive fish farmers and fishermen were felicitated with certificates and mementoes in recognition of their contribution to the fisheries sector. During the interaction session, Shri P. B. Karki, President, Rakdong-Tintek Fish Farmers Cooperative Society, requested the Government to provide subsidized fish feed to reduce production costs.
Addressing the gathering, Mrs. Roshni Rai, Secretary, Fisheries Department, encouraged fish farmers to avail the benefits of the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme for purchasing fish feed and other essential inputs through low-interest institutional credit. Responding to the farmers' demand, she assured that the Department would place a proposal before the Government for providing subsidised fish feed. She reiterated the Department's commitment to implementing farmer-centric policies and strengthening the fisheries sector through improved access to government schemes and institutional support.
As part of the programme, fish feed was distributed to 12 progressive fish farmers of Gangtok District. Another major highlight was the flagging-off of a Bolero Camper transport vehicle procured under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) for the Amur Carp Brood Bank, Rohtak, Soreng District, which will facilitate the transportation of broodstock, fish seed, feed, and other essential materials.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Shri Naresh Sunar, Assistant Director, Fisheries Department, expressing gratitude to all dignitaries, fish farmers, and participants for their support and commitment towards the sustainable development of the fisheries sector in Sikkim.
