Says “End-to-end value chain, productivity key to farmer incomes”
Minister calls for value addition, cooperatives, modern aquaculture infra
Irfan Yattoo
Srinagar: Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAHD) Rajiv Ranjan Singh on Saturday called for scaling up trout production in Kashmir and strengthening value addition to tap export markets, saying cold-water fisheries can emerge as a high-value sector generating income and employment in hilly regions.
Addressing the first National Conference on Cold Water Fisheries at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) here, Singh said trout and other cold-water species have strong demand in international markets and the focus should now shift towards productivity, processing and better market access.
“There is significant export potential for trout and other cold-water fish species. We need to enhance productivity, promote value addition and strengthen the entire value chain so that farmers can benefit from domestic as well as global markets,” the Union Minister said.
Singh said the government is focusing on end-to-end value-chain development, ensuring that cold-water regions can efficiently produce, process and market trout and other species with improved access to modern infrastructure and stronger market linkages.
He also urged states and Union Territories to organise fish farmers through cooperatives and Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs) to improve access to credit, government schemes and infrastructure.
Union Minister noted that financial support available under schemes such as the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) can help farmers and entrepreneurs establish hatcheries, feed mills, processing units, and other facilities needed to scale up production.
He announced the sanction of a ₹100-crore Integrated Aqua Park project in Anantnag district, which he said would strengthen aquaculture infrastructure and help scale up cold-water fisheries development in Jammu and Kashmir.
The proposed aqua park is expected to support fish production, processing, cold storage and marketing facilities while creating employment opportunities and encouraging fisheries-based enterprises in the region.
During the conference, Singh also released the “Model Guidelines for the Development of Cold-Water Fisheries”, which provide a framework for reservoir fisheries and aquaculture management.
Officials said the guidelines cover scientific seed stocking, cage- and pen-based aquaculture, biodiversity conservation, governance mechanisms and strengthening of fisheries value chains, aimed at ensuring sustainable and technology-driven growth in the sector.
The union minister, along with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, also presented awards to progressive fish farmers, fisheries cooperatives, start-ups and beneficiaries of credit schemes in Jammu and Kashmir.
Later, they also released the Model Guidelines for Reservoir Fisheries and Aquaculture Management, aimed at promoting scientific aquaculture practices, biodiversity conservation, and stronger fisheries value chains.
