Srinagar, Mar 14: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday said that focussed efforts under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi have made Jammu Kashmir the top trout producer in the country.
Addressing the National Conference on Cold Water Fisheries, organised by Central Fisheries Department, Sinha said. “Under the guidance of PM Modi, our focused efforts have made Jammu Kashmir the top trout producer among India’s cold-water states.”
The event was also graced by Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying (MoFAHD) and Panchayati Raj.
In his keynote address, the Lieutenant Governor highlighted the remarkable surge in fish production in the UT and infrastructure upgrades since 2020, reaffirming administration’s resolve to empower fish farmers and propel them toward lasting prosperity.
“Our strategic initiatives have positioned J&K as the leader in trout production across all cold-water states. Under Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), launched in 2022, Rs. 233 crore was allocated for fisheries to incentivize entrepreneurship, establish hatcheries, trout farming & value-added ventures,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
The Lieutenant Governor said that over recent years, fish production and related infrastructure have seen substantial growth.
“Trout output rose from 1,663 tons in FY 2021-22 to a record 2,650 tons in 2024-25. Private sector trout units increased from 936 to 1,649; hatcheries from 1 to 9; trout feed mills from zero to 6 by 2024; RAS units from 2 to 9; and biofloc units from 10 to 59,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor expressed gratitude to Government of India for sanctioning a Rs 100 crore Integrated Aqua Park Project to be established in District Anantnag. This project will strengthen aquaculture infrastructure, boost cold-water fisheries development, increase fish production and create employment opportunities in the region.
The Lieutenant Governor observed that Fisheries Sector faces challenges like climate change impacts, rising water temperatures, water scarcity, slow growth of native species, and fish health risks.
Model Guidelines for the Development of Cold-Water Fisheries was released on the occasion. Best FFPOs, Progressive Fish farmers, and Fisheries Start‑ups were felicitated. Sanction letters were also handed over to beneficiaries under Kisan Credit Card and other schemes.
