SRINAGAR: Kashmir trout production has received a major infrastructure push with the Jammu and Kashmir Government informing the Legislative Assembly that 3,017 fish production units have been sanctioned across the Union Territory under centrally sponsored and UT-funded schemes.
The Department stated that the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, along with the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme and the Jammu and Kashmir Competitiveness Improvement Project, are being implemented in a structured and time-bound manner to strengthen fisheries production, value chains and marketing systems.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, large-scale infrastructure has been created in the private sector, including 734 trout raceways and five trout hatcheries. Additionally, 23 hectares of carp ponds have been developed, while modern aquaculture systems have been promoted through 46 biofloc units and nine Recirculatory Aquaculture System units.
Parallel interventions under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme have added 750 trout units, 77 carp units, 25 biofloc units, 37 RAS units and six trout hatcheries in the private sector. Three feed mills, six refrigerated vehicles and four cold storage plants have also been established to strengthen input supply and post-harvest management.
Officials said these measures are aimed at increasing productivity, encouraging technology adoption and integrating the trout and carp value chains from production to marketing.
To address post-harvest losses and market bottlenecks, 30 Live Fish Vending Centres, seven fish kiosks and 10 fish value addition enterprises have been set up. Five refrigerated vehicles, 106 three-wheelers fitted with ice boxes and 30 motorcycles equipped with ice boxes have been deployed to ensure hygienic handling and quicker transport.
Under the Jammu and Kashmir Competitiveness Improvement Project, 2,000 ice boxes have been provisioned for fishermen, of which 630 have already been distributed, with the remaining in the process of allocation.
The department said the integrated cold chain and marketing infrastructure has reduced losses, shortened supply chains and enabled fish farmers to secure better price realisation, thereby enhancing net incomes.
Out of the 3,017 sanctioned fish production units, 2,950 are in the private sector and 67 in the government sector.
Anantnag leads with 306 units, followed by Ganderbal with 209, Baramulla with 205 and Kupwara with 204 units. Budgam has 200 units, while Jammu district also has 200 units sanctioned.
Pulwama has 169 units, Rajouri 166, Bandipora 164 and Kathua 176. Other districts including Srinagar, Kulgam, Shopian, Samba, Udhampur, Reasi, Ramban, Kishtwar, Doda and Poonch have also recorded substantial allocations.
Officials said the widespread distribution of trout and carp units across all 20 districts reflects a deliberate effort to promote fisheries as a viable livelihood sector across both divisions of the Union Territory.
The government maintained that the expansion of trout raceways, hatcheries, modern aquaculture systems and cold chain infrastructure marks a significant step towards strengthening Kashmir trout production and building a sustainable fisheries economy in Jammu and Kashmir.
