Stories
How Kashmir Trout Farming Is Getting A Technology Upgrade With Recirculating Aquaculture Systems
- •Khyber Aquaculture has invested over Rs 100 crore in an eight-acre facility beside the Sindh River in Ganderbal, utilizing Recirculating Aquaculture Systems to filter and reuse water.
- •The company currently produces around 1,000 metric tonnes of trout annually and aims to scale capacity to 7,000 metric tonnes over the next four to five years.
- •Advanced RAS technology maintains water temperatures between 10C and 14C, helping improve survival rates by 25-30 percent and reducing dependence on seasonal river conditions.
- •The initiative plans to partner with over 300 local farmers over the next five years, providing improved seeds, modern training, and broader market access.
- •The expansion seeks to cater to growing domestic demand in regions like Punjab, Haryana, and the NCR, while setting sights on international markets including the Middle East and Europe.
Key Questions Answered
Khyber Aquaculture utilizes a Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) at its facility in Ganderbal to filter, treat, and reuse water while maintaining optimal temperatures between 10°C and 14°C. This controlled environment reduces seasonal uncertainties, improves survival rates by 25-30%, and enables consistent year-round fish growth.
The company currently produces between 1,000 and 1,700 metric tonnes of trout annually and plans to scale up its capacity to 7,000 metric tonnes over the next four to five years across three phases. This expansion aims to serve growing domestic markets and eventually target international regions like the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Europe.
Khyber Aquaculture aims to work alongside more than 300 local farmers over the next five years, providing them with improved seed, better farming practices, training, and access to wider markets. The company also partners with the Jammu and Kashmir Department of Fisheries under the Trout Cluster Programme to strengthen the regional aquaculture ecosystem.
