Rs 56 Cr Khyber Aquaculture Showcases High-Tech Trout Farming Model at Kashmir Col Fisheries Conference | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: K2 Khyber Aquaculture on Saturday presented its technology-driven trout farming model and a Rs 56.33-crore trout cluster initiative at the National Conference on Cold Water Fisheries in Srinagar, positioning itself as a key private-sector player in the expansion of cold-water aquaculture in Jammu and Kashmir.

The conference, organised by the Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre, brought together policymakers, scientists and industry stakeholders from several states to discuss strategies for expanding cold-water fisheries in Himalayan regions.

During the event, Khyber Aquaculture outlined its roadmap for implementing a trout cluster under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), aimed at transforming the region’s trout industry into an integrated, export-oriented ecosystem. The initiative proposes investments of about Rs 56.33 crore and seeks to link advanced aquaculture technology with local farming communities.

According to the company, the cluster model is designed to integrate production, hatcheries, processing and supply chains while supporting more than 150 local farmers through modern aquaculture systems and market access.

The company highlighted its Recirculatory Aquaculture System (RAS) facility being developed at Akhal in Kangan area of Ganderbal district. The project, with an estimated cost of Rs 47.12 crore, is designed to reuse nearly 98 per cent of water, allowing year-round trout production in a climate-controlled environment.

Phase one of the facility aims to produce about 1,500 metric tonnes of trout annually. The company said the project is expected to generate around 300 direct jobs and more than 3,000 indirect employment opportunities across the fisheries supply chain, including retail, distribution and processing.

Khyber Aquaculture also highlighted its hatchery infrastructure capable of producing about 20 million fingerlings annually, aimed at ensuring a stable supply of disease-free trout seed for farms across the region.

The company said its infrastructure includes a 500-kilogram-per-hour Individual Quick Freezing (IQF) unit, oxygenated transport trucks and a dedicated microbial testing laboratory designed to meet export standards for cold-water fish products.

The conference also featured a broader discussion on expanding India’s cold-water fisheries sector. Speaking at the event, Union Fisheries Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh announced the establishment of a Rs 100-crore Integrated Aquaculture Park at Kokernag in Anantnag district to support the trout production value chain, including broodstock management, hatcheries, processing and marketing infrastructure.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said the Union Territory has the potential to emerge as a national model for integrated fisheries development and noted that trout production in the region had increased from 1,663 tonnes in 2021-22 to about 2,650 tonnes in 2024-25.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah emphasised the need for modern scientific techniques and improved infrastructure to expand cold-water fisheries while maintaining environmental sustainability.

The conference brought together representatives from Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and several northeastern states to explore collaborative pathways for strengthening cold-water fisheries and improving livelihoods in mountainous regions.

Officials said the discussions focused on developing technology-driven aquaculture systems, strengthening supply chains and enhancing value addition to support sustainable growth in the fisheries sector.