Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election Departments, Javid Ahmad Dar, on Saturday inaugurated a Floating Trout Feed Manufacturing Plant at the Trout Fish Farming Project (TFFP) in Kokernag, located in the Anantnag district of south Kashmir.
The new facility has been established under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) at an estimated cost of ₹2.5 crore. The minister said that the plant, with a production capacity of 400 kilograms of feed per hour, would ensure a consistent supply of high-quality trout feed for farmers across the region. This, he noted, would help increase fish production, improve the quality of trout farming, and provide a major boost to the rural economy.
Boost to Aquaculture and Employment
Speaking at the event, Javid Ahmad Dar said that the government is committed to modernizing Jammu and Kashmir’s aquaculture infrastructure through innovation, technology, and skill development.
“The fisheries sector has immense potential for employment generation and can become a key driver of rural economic growth,” the minister said. He added that the new feed manufacturing plant would help reduce dependence on external feed sources, lower input costs for farmers, and encourage youth to take up trout farming as a viable livelihood option.
Inspection and Interaction with Farmers
The minister was accompanied by MLAs Zafar Ali Khatana, Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Mir, Reyaz Ahmad Khan, Abdul Majid Bhat, and Altaf Ahmad Wani, along with Director Fisheries, J&K, Abdul Majid Tak, and senior officials from the Agriculture Production, Mechanical Engineering, and allied departments.
After inaugurating the feed plant, Dar inspected the Kokernag Trout Fish Farm, where he reviewed ongoing breeding and cultivation operations. He interacted with fisheries officials and local fish farmers to assess progress on various government initiatives aimed at improving production, sustainability, and profitability in the sector.
Foundation Stone for New Projects
Later, the minister visited Kathsoo, Pahalgam, where he laid the foundation stone for a NABARD-assisted Trout Fish Farming Project. During his visit, he met several fish farmers and beneficiaries and sought their feedback on existing schemes and challenges faced in trout farming.
Dar assured the farmers that the government would continue to provide technical assistance, training, and financial support to strengthen the aquaculture ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir. He emphasized that such projects under HADP reflect the government’s long-term vision to achieve self-sufficiency in trout feed production and transform the region into a hub for cold-water fisheries.
The establishment of the ₹2.5 crore trout feed plant marks a significant step toward sustainable aquaculture development in Kashmir and reinforces the government’s commitment to enhancing rural livelihoods through innovation in agriculture and allied sectors.