Khyber Aquaculture, in partnership with the Jammu & Kashmir Department of Fisheries, has launched a specialised training programme aimed at helping local trout farmers adopt modern and sustainable aquaculture practices.
The initiative forms part of Project No. 22, Implementation of Trout Cluster Programme, covering Ganderbal and Anantnag under the Holistic Agriculture Development Plan. The programme is designed to transition traditional trout farming towards a more scientific, efficient and resilient production model.
“Capacity building is the cornerstone of a resilient trout sector,” said Umar Tramboo, chief managing director of Khyber Aquaculture.
“By fostering collaboration between farmers, government institutions, and technical experts, we can build a sustainable cold-water aquaculture ecosystem that supports livelihoods, food security and rural enterprise development in Jammu & Kashmir.”
The training brought together progressive farmers from Ganderbal, Bandipora and Srinagar for an intensive session focused on sustainable trout aquaculture and fish health management. Technical experts provided practical guidance covering biosecurity, water-quality management, responsible farming, early disease detection and recirculating aquaculture systems.
A central theme was the shift from reactive treatment of fish diseases towards proactive prevention. Participants were encouraged to adopt routine water monitoring, reduce stress among fish and establish early warning systems to help identify potential health problems before they escalate.
The interactive programme also gave farmers an opportunity to discuss challenges encountered on their farms and examine practical approaches to improving fish survival, growth rates and overall operational efficiency.
Jammu & Kashmir’s mountain environment provides favourable conditions for cold-water trout production, giving the region potential to expand its role in India’s aquaculture sector. The initiative aims to improve farm productivity, strengthen value chains and create additional opportunities for rural communities.
Khyber Aquaculture said the programme forms part of its wider effort to advance India’s cold-water fisheries industry through innovation, stronger biosecurity and internationally aligned practices.
