CM Samrat Choudhary inaugurated Bihar’s First Fish Brood Bank in Sitamarhi on August 8, 2026. Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui
Sitamarhi/Patna: Giving a fresh impetus to the development of Bihar’s fisheries sector, production of fish broodstock and distribution of improved fish seed has begun at the state’s first Fish Brood Bank at Raghopur Bakhri in the Dumra block of Sitamarhi district. The facility was inaugurated by Bihar Chief Minister (CM) Samrat Choudhary on Saturday(August 8, 2026).
Developed at a cost of around ₹10.92 crore, the Fish Brood Bank has been established across nearly 40 acres. Its launch will enable hatchery operators in the state to obtain healthy, high-quality and genetically improved brood fish at affordable rates locally. This is expected to boost the production of quality fish seed and reduce Bihar’s dependence on other states.
Until now, many hatchery operators in Bihar have depended on rivers, wetlands, reservoirs and other natural sources for brood fish and fish seed. Brood fish obtained from natural sources may carry genetic defects, which can adversely affect fish growth, production and survival rates.
At the Sitamarhi Fish Brood Bank, healthy, large-sized and genetically superior brooders will be developed using modern scientific techniques. These brooders will be used to produce high-quality, disease-free fish seed, improving both the quality of fish seed and productivity in the state’s fisheries sector.
Developed under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), the facility includes broodstock ponds, nursery ponds and rearing ponds spread over around 40 acres. A fish seed hatchery has also been established at the centre to ensure the availability of quality fish seed to fish farmers.
The centre is being developed as a new hub of the ‘Blue Revolution’ in Sitamarhi district. It will primarily promote Indian major carp species such as Rohu, Catla and Mrigal, along with improved varieties including Jayanti Rohu, Common Carp, Amrit Catla and Amur Carp, among other useful fish species.
The local availability of affordable and quality fish seed is expected to increase fish production in Bihar. It will help reduce production costs for fish farmers while creating greater opportunities to raise their incomes. The initiative is also expected to generate new employment opportunities in fisheries and allied sectors and strengthen the rural economy.
In the future, the production of quality fish seed could enable Bihar to supply seed to other states and promote trade and exports of fish and other fisheries products. The centre will also facilitate soil and water testing, training and technical guidance for fish farmers.
A major initiative was also launched in Sitamarhi to strengthen the dairy sector. A 30-metric-tonne-per-day (MTPD) milk powder plant was inaugurated under the state plans for 2025-26 and 2026-27. The project has a total cost of ₹76.60 crore.
During the programme, the departmental secretary of Bihar’s Dairy, Fisheries and Animal Resources Department and Comfed chairman-cum-managing director, Sirshat Kapil Ashok, gave a presentation at the site. He said the projects would provide a new direction to the livelihoods of farmers involved in dairy, animal husbandry and fisheries in Sitamarhi and neighbouring areas.
The initiatives are expected to increase farmers’ incomes while giving a broader boost to the economic development of the region.
Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, Bihar Minister for Dairy, Fisheries and Animal Resources Nand Kishore Ram, and Bihar Minister for Industries and Sports and in-charge minister for Sitamarhi Shreyasi Singh were present as distinguished guests.
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