Ishtiyaq Ahmad
Srinagar March 10 (KINS): Trout production is generating over Rs 13 crore revenue to Kashmir annually with many farmers prefer to rear this fish to get better returns than crops in the valley.
Trout is cold water fish. It survives only in running water and temperatures between 0 to 20 degree Celsius. It is rich in protein and boosts immunity. Each kilogram is sold around Rs 500.
Over the years, many farmers have started rearing this fish in their farms saying they are getting better returns than crops. However, farmers from Anantnag demand feed mill in the district.
Official figures accessed by news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS) reveal that private and government farms produce 600 tonnes of trout annually in Kashmir. These generate more than Rs 13 crore revenue annually.
There are 581 private trout fish units in Kashmir and 200 more are being established in next few months under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, a scheme to boost fish production and generate employment opportunities.
Assistant Director Fisheries Department Anantnag, Shabir Ahmad Bhat said there are 137 private fish farms in Anantnag district alone. “This sector has a huge potential and is also being introduced in other parts,” he told news agency KINS.
A farmer requires Rs 3.5 lakh for setting up a farm for which 40 percent subsidy is provided by the government under a scheme.
Known for its natural beauty, Kashmir has the distinction of having Asia’s largest trout fisheries farm in Kokernag Anantnag. The farm is supervised by Manzoor Ahmad Peer, who has well expertise in rearing trout.
Spread over 20 hectares, the farm was set up in 1985 with support from the European Economic Committee.
Besides, trout is present in all the streams and Nallahs of the valley. The important ones are Lidder, Wangath, Gurez, Hamal, Lam, Sindh, Kishenganga, Sukhnag, Doodhganga, Erin, Ferozpur(Tangmarg), Bringi, Aharbal, Hirpora, Dachigam, Kokernag, Naristan, Madhumati and Nowbugh.
Brought to Kashmir from Europe over a century ago, the trout is being introduced in various parts of the country.
The first batch of trout ova of 10,000 eggs arrived from the UK in 1899. Unfortunately the first batch perished enroute due to non existence of air transport. The 2nd shipment of trout ova arrived from Scotland on December 19, 1900 through J.S.Macdonall and were reared in the premises of a private carpet factory owner (Michel) in Baghi Dilawar Khan in Srinagar.
Now various areas across the country including Shillong, Shimla, Nagaland, Arunchal Pradesh, Uttrakhand, Sikkim and neighbouring country Nepal are rearing trout fish in their respective places that have been transported from Kashmir.
This year, Department of Fisheries J&K exported 7 lakh eyed-ova (Trout fish seeds) to various states like Uttrakhand, Arunchan Pradesh, Sikkim, and Nagaland from Fisheries Farm Kokernag. Each ova costs Rs 2. It is called eyed-ova because the two dots on the seed become the eyes of the fish.
Besides, lakhs of seeds have also been supplied to private fish farms in the valley.
Chief Project Officer of Kokernag trout farm Muzaffar Bazaaz said various states have introduced trout in their respective places because of its success.
“Government in various states purchase from us, supply to their farmers who then rear in their respective farms. This has a good success rate that is why various states are introducing it in their respective places. It has a better quality and growth rate,” he said. (KINS)
Trout production generates Rs 13 cr revenue annually in Kashmir
581 farms operational in Valley, 200 more being set up in few months
