According to WealthPK, trout farming has great potential to increase the income of people in the northern regions of Pakistan and can ultimately contribute to the country’s economy.
The government and farmers need to adopt modern techniques to improve trout aquaculture, as despite the development of this industry in Gilgit-Baltistan, Chitral and Swat, production is still not at the desired level. Most people in the northern regions are trying their luck in this industry because of its financial profitability, but the government needs to take more steps to promote trout farming to strengthen the country’s economy.
Faisal Iftikhar, director of the Pakistan Fisheries Exporters Association in Karachi, told WealthPK that trout farming has great potential to increase the income of families in the northern region. “This industry is a major source of income for people who own trout farms in this region and also for fishermen from the river. The residents of the Kalam Valley, who initially fished trout from the river, have now set up their own farms and hope to expand them.”
He added that cold water resources along with ideal and diverse habitats for trout farming are a gift from nature to the northern regions of Pakistan.
Faisal Iftikhar added that trout farming should be established in areas with sufficient water, climate and suitable water and soil conditions. “The northern regions, especially Chitral, Madin, Kalam and Skardu, which have these characteristics, are considered ideal potential places for trout farming.”
He said that local consumption of trout increases throughout the summer season. Tourists from warmer parts of the country visit these areas during the summer, and trout consumption increases.
He said fish can be sold during this season as cold-weather destinations attract tourists from other places throughout the summer. “However, during winter, there is less travel, but locals are used to consuming more fish and the demand for the product remains high in cold weather. Seafood shops and restaurants in Abbottabad, Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar are among the target markets.”
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has started construction of 380 trout farms under the “KP Fisheries Development Farms” project, mostly in Malakand and Hazara districts, to boost meat production in the province, Faisal Iftikhar said. “According to the Fisheries Department, 287 trout farms are under construction under the Cold Water Fisheries Development Project.”
The fisheries industry as a whole contributes 1 percent of the country’s GDP and provides employment to 1 percent of Pakistan’s total workforce, he said. “A study was conducted to assess the profitability of commercial trout farmers, identify the problems they face and introduce policies to strengthen commercial farming,” said Faisal Iftikhar.
The study was conducted in the northern regions where commercial trout farming is taking place. “Three private farms and one government farm were selected for the study. Farmers were interviewed in all the farms.”
According to the farmers, rainbow trout is the best species to farm for two years. Faisal Iftikhar added, “An abundant source of cold, clean water is the primary requirement for trout farming. Sufficient water is needed to develop trout farming throughout the year. The water should be clear, not turbid. The amount of water required depends on the water quality, the farming system and the aquaculture techniques.”
