J&K Fisheries Department Supports Trout Farming

The Jammu and Kashmir Fisheries Department is generating employment by encouraging young people to practice trout fish farming in Bhadarwah in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda District, reports Karachi News.

The farming of the commercial trout can be done with a piece of land close to a water body.

At a news conference, Farida Beig, a fisheries department inspector said that the department provides turnkey assistance to entrepreneurs opting for trout farming.

"The Fisheries Department provides some schemes, which we reach out to the people and give 100 per cent subsidy. In the first instalment we give the seeds and feed free of cost. It is a source of generating jobs for the unemployed youth and their upliftment," said Ms Beig.

"We institute a business for them. They should only own a piece of land, which is close to a source of water. Everything else including the seed, feed, construction related world is made available to them," she added.

She also highlighted future prospects of fish farming in the region.

"We are only rearing fish but our future prospect will also include its breeding. Our seeds will also be prepared here. The benefit it will carry in the future is that all the private and government ponds in Bhadra (Bhaderwah), will be able to culture the fish. Hatchery and breeding of trout fish farming will be done and seeds will be made available to the farmers," said Beig.

The Department of Fisheries has started providing all facilities including motors, nets, and feed to the farmers.

Trout, both brown and the rainbow species, is a coldwater fish found aplenty in the rivers Beas, Sutlej and Ravi flowing through Jammu region from the upper reaches of Himalayan range.