Status of Trout Culture in Kashmir, India

Trout farming is one of the oldest forms of commercial fish production. The present production of Trout fish being carried out in public sector only and is about 100-120 tones/annum. Currently Department has about 150 raceways with the carrying capacity/rearing space of about 150 tones. The UT of Jammu & Kashmir has huge human resources in the form of educated unemployed youth who can be trained in trout farming for earning their livelihood. In spite of huge market demand, vast natural and human resources, trout culture in Kashmir is far away from realizing its potential. The health awareness among the masses has shifted the choice of people from Red Meat to White Meat. The consumption of fish has become a protein of choice to the people having obesity and heart related problems. There is enormous scope for creating additional infrastructure in the shape of hatcheries/rearing space in the private sector to further improve the trout production in the J&K.