Business

Khyber Aquaculture Turns Kashmir’s Trout Farming into a Year‑Round, Tech‑Driven Enterprise

NEWZA Editorial Team•

⚡ Key Financial Takeaways

  • The farm uses a RAS that recycles water, keeping temperatures at 10–14 °C and oxygen levels constant.
  • Khyber Aquaculture has spent more than ₹100 crore on an eight‑acre facility and expects to raise 1,000 tonnes of trout this year.
  • Future plans target 3,500 tonnes in 2–3 years and 7,000 tonnes in 4–5 years, with a focus on the HoReCa sector and export markets.
  • The company employs 110 people, mainly from local districts, and aims to add 200 direct jobs during expansion.
  • Its RAS uses about 115 litres of make‑up water per kilogram of trout, far less than the 30,000‑litre benchmark for conventional raceways.

Revolutionising Trout Farming in Kashmir

In the foothills of the Himalayas, a 40‑year veteran of the Jammu and Kashmir Fisheries Department, Mohammad Qasim Rangrez, now runs a high‑tech trout hatchery. The farm, situated beside the Sindh River in Ganderbal, relies on a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) that keeps water temperature, oxygen and chemistry stable all year round. The move marks a shift from the region’s traditional raceway farms, which depend on natural stream flow and are vulnerable to seasonal changes.

Technology Behind the RAS

Unlike conventional trout farms that use a single pass of river water, Khyber Aquaculture’s RAS filters, treats and re‑circulates water. The system maintains temperatures between 10 °C and 14 °C, supplies continuous oxygen and limits exposure to pathogens. The company claims the setup can improve fish survival by 25–30 % and reduce feed conversion ratios, though these figures are internal estimates.

The project began in 2022, with trials in 2023 and the first local sale in 2024. Equipment was sourced from Denmark, France and Sweden, while fertilised eggs came from the US and Denmark. Heat pumps and backup power are essential to keep the tanks running during Kashmir’s harsh winters.

Scaling Up and Market Ambitions

Khyber Aquaculture has invested more than ₹100 crore in its eight‑acre facility. It currently produces around 1,000 metric tonnes of trout annually, with a hatchery that can supply up to 20 million fingerlings each year. The next phase aims to lift capacity to 3,500 tonnes within two to three years and to 7,000 tonnes over the next four to five years.

The company’s expansion is driven by growing demand for premium fish in India’s hospitality and retail sectors. It estimates the domestic trout market could reach 8,000 tonnes by 2034, up from 4,700 tonnes in 2025. Khyber Aquaculture plans to target Punjab, Haryana, the National Capital Region, Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh, while also eyeing export markets in the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Europe.

Employment and Community Impact

The farm currently employs 110 people, 92 % of whom are from Ganderbal and nearby districts. Roles span hatchery work, fish health, water‑quality monitoring, RAS operation, feeding, processing, packaging, maintenance, logistics and administration. The company trains staff in‑house and expects to add 200 direct jobs as it expands, with a long‑term goal of 300 direct and over 3,000 indirect jobs across the value chain.

Rangrez, who spent four decades with the Fisheries Department, now applies his local knowledge to modern hatchery practices. He believes the shift will make trout farming a viable career for younger residents rather than a sideline for families.

Water Use and Sustainability

Khyber Aquaculture’s RAS uses roughly 115 litres of make‑up water per kilogram of trout, compared with about 30,000 litres for a conventional raceway. The company cites the Food and Agriculture Organization’s “Guide to Recirculation Aquaculture” for this benchmark. While the RAS dramatically reduces water consumption, the overall environmental footprint also depends on energy use, feed production and waste management.

The farm monitors water quality in real time, with samples tested by institutions such as SKUAST‑Kashmir and NABL‑accredited labs. It is also pursuing international certifications like Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) and Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC).

What to Watch

Khyber Aquaculture’s success will hinge on several factors: maintaining fish health at scale, securing reliable power and cold‑chain logistics, and building a distribution network that reaches distant markets. The company’s partnership with the Jammu and Kashmir Department of Fisheries under Project No. 22 may also influence how small traditional trout farmers benefit from the new model.

If the expansion proceeds as planned, Kashmir could become a significant player in India’s premium trout market and a source of skilled employment for the region.

Sources

- Publisher: Unknown Title: Khyber Aquaculture’s RAS trout farm in Ganderbal URL:

Tags

- Khyber Aquaculture - Trout farming - Recirculating Aquaculture System - Kashmir - Aquaculture technology

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