Minister for Agriculture Production Department and Rural Development Department, Javid Ahmad Dar, today underlined the need to tap vast employment potential in the fisheries sector in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Minister stated this during his visit to the Trout Fish Farm Mammer, conducted to review its functioning and assess developments in the fisheries sector. The Minister was accompanied by MLA Kangan, Mian Mehar Ali besides others.
The Minister highlighted the huge potential of employment and economic generation in the Fisheries sector and urged the youth to take fish farming as sustainable economic activity. Emphasizing the need for technical awareness among the private fish farmers, the Minister directed the officials to conduct frequent field visits and educate the farmers on modern fish culture practices.
He also encouraged the youth to engage in fish farming, highlighting its potential as a viable employment avenue under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP). Earlier, the Minister visited Khyber Aquaculture at Akhal, Kangan, where he reviewed the infrastructure developed by the private company for raising Rainbow Trout using the advanced Recirculatory Aquaculture System (RAS).
The Minister toured the facility, appreciating its eco-friendly practices and state-of-the-art machinery aimed at sustainable trout farming. Commending the efforts of private entrepreneurs, the Minister emphasized the crucial role of the private sector in boosting the economy of the Union Territory.
He remarked that initiatives like Khyber Aquaculture will not only strengthen the regional economy but also create employment opportunities while promoting environmentally conscious aquaculture techniques.
During the visit, Director Fisheries, Abdul Majid Tak, Assistant Director Fisheries Ganderbal and other officials from the Fisheries Department briefed the Minister on the farm’s operations. It was highlighted that the Trout Fish Farm Mammer recorded a production of 7 tons of trout fish and 1.5 lakh seed production during 2024-25.
The expected seed production for the current year has been projected to reach 2 lakh. The Minister was also informed about the private sector contributions, with trout fish production reaching 50 tons and carp production at 20 tons in district Ganderbal from 140 trout and carp ponds which are operational in the private sector within the district.
Additionally, it was informed that 200 angling permits have been issued this year, further promoting the recreational fishing. The Director Fisheries informed that live feed seed from the farm is being supplied to other districts in Kashmir division, including the Union Territory of Ladakh.