Business Incubation Centre for Fisheries and Aquaculture - BICFA

The Talent Search Contest (TSC) – Cohort 1.0 Award Ceremony on “Innovative Ideas Leading to Entrepreneurial Venture in Fisheries, Aquaculture & Allied Areas” was successfully organized by the Business Incubation Centre for Fisheries and Aquaculture (BICFA)at Guwahati Biotech Park (GBP), under PMMSY, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, AH&D, Government of India, on 27th February 2026.💐✨🎉

The program commenced with the Welcome Address and Program Briefing by Dr. Bula Choudhury, PI, BICFA & Senior Scientist, GBP. The ceremonial welcome of dignitaries and the Inaugural Green Initiative (Symbolic Plant Watering Ceremony) set a sustainable and inspiring tone for the day.🌿

An insightful Vision Talk was delivered by Shri Deba Kumar Mishra, ACS, CEO, Guwahati Biotech Park, highlighting the growing potential of fisheries and aquaculture-led entrepreneurship in the North Eastern Region.✨

We were privileged to receive valuable addresses from distinguished Guests of Honour:

· Prof. Probodh Borah, Director of Research (Veterinary), AAU

· Prof. U.S.N. Murty, Director, NIPER-Guwahati

· Shri Loken Das, CGM, NABARD

· Shri Chandan Chetry, Nodal Officer, PMMSY

The highlight of the ceremony was the Official Award Presentation and Certificate Distribution to the TSC Cohort 1.0 winners, followed by inspiring entrepreneurial experience-sharing sessions by the awardees.🏆🎉

TSC Cohort 1.0 Awardees:

Dr. Debajit Kalita from Poohar Essence Private Limited;
Dr. Debtanu Barman, Mrs. Debasmita Maity & Mr. Bapan Mondal from Barman Aqua Clinics Pvt. Ltd.;
Ms. Mampi M. Dutta from Abhamanu Vanbotech Pvt. Ltd.;
Dr. Doljit Borah; Mr. Harendra Nath Rabha from Kahibari Fishery Co-operative Society Ltd. ;
Mr. Anup Kumar Sarmah from Mahabahu Fisheries Pvt. Ltd. ;
Mr. Premjit Okram from Maiyon Agro LLP ;
Dr. Bulbuli Khanikor & Ms. Dipamani Sarma;
Mr. Meitakeisangbam Premananda Singh;
Mr. Raja Qul Islam & Ms. Farhana Tasneem from Aqua Blue Global Aquaculture Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

Each awardee shared their entrepreneurial journey and vision, inspiring aspiring innovators and stakeholders present at the ceremony.💫⭐🎊

The TSC Jury Members Prof Lalit Pandey, BSBE Department, IITG; Dr Bhaskar Saud, Assit. Prof. Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, (EDII); Dr Neel Kamal Das, Under Secretary to the Govt of Assam, STCCD, GoA; Shri Devasish Sharma, AVP-Programs, IIMCIP were felicitated for their expert evaluation and mentorship.🎉🎊

Special Address & Open Discussion Session
The program featured a highly engaging special address session by key sectoral leaders including:

· Shri Sanjay Sarma, DFDO, Kamrup

· Dr. Dhruba Jyoti Sarma, MD, Fishfed, Assam

· Dr. B.K. Bhattacharya, Principal Scientist, ICAR-CIFRI (NER)

· Dr. Ashim Kr Borah, Officer In-Charge, NFDB (NER)

The session fostered meaningful dialogue on policy support, funding avenues, technical guidance, and collaborative opportunities to strengthen fisheries and aquaculture enterprises in the region.

A major milestone of the day was the Launch of TSC Cohort 2.0, marked by the unveiling of the official flyer and brochure, along with an audio-visual presentation showcasing the milestones and achievements of BICFA, GBP. The launch briefing was delivered by Dr. Rajiv Chandra Dev Goswami, Co-PI, BICFA & RA, GBP.🌟✨🐟

The event concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Mr. Nabajyoti Das, Project Fellow, BICFA, followed by networking lunch, product display visits, and guided tours of incubation laboratories and facilities at Guwahati Biotech Park.🐳

The ceremony truly celebrated innovative ideas transforming fisheries, aquaculture, and allied sectors into sustainable entrepreneurial ventures — reinforcing BICFA’s commitment to strengthening the blue economy and startup ecosystem in the North Eastern Region.🌿🍀☘️

Happy World Fisheries Day! 🐟✨💐
Let’s protect our water resources and value those who bring food from water to plate. 🌊🐟

Plantation Drive at Biofloc & Aquaculture Facility, GBP .

A refreshing wave of green enthusiasm swept through the Biofloc and Aquaculture Facility, GBP on 18th, November, 2025, as we conducted a meaningful plantation drive. The event was graced by the presence of Shri Rakesh Kumar Thakur, ACS, Administrator, GBP; Dr. Bula Choudhury, SS, GBP; Shri Hemen Das from Innotech Intervention Pvt. Ltd; officials of GBP; and our dedicated GBP interns who brought vibrant energy to the initiative.
Adding a special touch to the day, the drive was organized in celebration of our beloved Zubeen Garg’s birthday, transforming the occasion into a tribute to nature and sustainability.
A big thank you to everyone who joined hands to make this green effort a success.
Together, we plant hope, nurture change, and grow a greener tomorrow!

📣📣Business Incubation Center in Fisheries and Aquaculture (BICFA) is organizing “Skill Development Training Programme on Aquarium Setup for Ornamental Fishkeeping” (5th edition) at Guwahati Biotech Park (GBP), Amingaon, Guwahati-781031 on 12th November, 2025 from 10 AM onwards.🐟🐬

The training programme aims to equip participants with the necessary expertise to establish and manage ornamental fish farming and start their own business in aquaculture. We cordially invite all interested participants to join the programme and help to make it a successful one.

Please Note:
• Last date of registration is 10th November, 2025.
• Link for registration form
https://tinyurl.com/AquariumTrainingBICFA2025

• Certificates will be provided after successful completion of the training programme.
• Light snacks and lunch will be provided.
• No age restriction to attend the training.
• Accommodation has to be arranged by self.
• Registration Rs. 500/- is mandatory.
Venue: Guwahati Biotech Park, Amingaon, Near SP Office, Guwahati-781031, Assam

Skill Satellite Centre, Guwahati Biotech Park extends warm greetings and best wishes to everyone on the joyous occasion of Diwali.🎉🎊💐
May this Festival of Lights bring prosperity, happiness, and new opportunities for innovation, growth, and success.
Let’s illuminate lives with knowledge, science, and sustainability.🧬🌿✨✨

We were delighted to host the enthusiastic B.Sc. Botany 3rd Semester students from North Gauhati College for an educational visit to the Business Incubation Centre for Fisheries and Aquaculture (BICFA) at Guwahati Biotech Park on 15th September 2025.

As part of their curriculum under the paper “Laboratory and Field Techniques in Plant Science,” the students explored our biofloc and aquaculture facilities, gaining hands-on insights into innovative fish farming systems, water quality management, and sustainable aquaculture practices.

Such academic–industry interactions bridge the gap between classroom knowledge and real-world applications, inspiring young learners to explore opportunities in fisheries, aquaculture, and allied life sciences.

We thank Department of Botany, North Gauhati College, along with the college’s Incubation Centre, for collaborating with us in this knowledge-sharing initiative.

Wishing the budding botanists the very best in their academic and professional journey!