Director Fisheries, J&K Mohammad Farooq Dar on Saturday emphasized that the fish culture activity being less labour intensive with good returns will help improve the socio-economic condition and income of farmers. He distributed first-year inputs to the beneficiaries who have constructed Trout Rearing Units under PMMSY during the year 2022-23 at Trout Farm Laribal, Srinagar.
Presently, 87 raceways have been constructed under different schemes in district Srinagar besides the land and water efficient technology for fish farming – RAS and Re circulatory Aquaculture System. About 16 beneficiaries including women were provided inputs in the form of Trout seed, feed and equipment like handle nets, covering nets etc during the occasion.
It was informed that 2.5 lakh trout fingerlings have been produced in the Trout Farm Laribal and 1.5 lakh seeds have been distributed to the private fish farmers from the farm. The Brown Trout Seed produced on the farm is stocked in the natural water bodies of Kashmir for conservation of this species and for attraction of tourists for angling purposes.
Out of the total of 1144 trout rearing units and 1222 carp units established under the private sector in UT, the department has established a total of 545 trout rearing units besides 41 carp units for providing gainful employment to the rural youth under PMMSY. On the occasion, the concerned officer apprised the director that more and more youth are coming forward to adopt fish farming as an economic enterprise.
The involvement of the youth with fisheries/ aquaculture related activities will give them ample opportunity to sustain their livelihood and ensuring nutritional security, he said. Besides, supplying quality fish seed to the fish farmers at subsidized rates, the department conducts an annual seed stocking programme in different waters viz. rivers, streams, community ponds, lakes, sars, etc, the officer said.
He said during 2022-23, the department has stocked 8.40 lakh trout and 51.30 lakh carp seed in amenable water bodies of J&K. The enhanced fish production of water bodies will help to boost the economic scenario of the area and will provide opportunities for local people to earn their livelihood with honour and integrity by associating themselves with fisheries/aquaculture-related activities, he said.
The director instructed the concerned officer to exploit the full potential of the departmental hatcheries to increase the quality of fish seed production for increasing the production and productivity of the private fish farmers. He impressed upon the officers to identify potential areas in their districts to prioritise setting up more fisheries units in the private sector for better growth of the sector and the welfare of those engaged in the trade. The director laid emphasis on generating awareness among the general masses particularly the unemployed youth to start fisheries-related businesses.