Jammu:Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha on Saturday said the Centre is fully committed to improving the livelihoods and welfare of fish farmers in Jammu and Kashmir, as he expressed gratitude for the release of ₹111.66 crore for the implementation of a fisheries development project in the Union Territory.
In a post on X, Sinha thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh for sanctioning the central share, stating that the initiative would significantly strengthen the fisheries sector in the region.
He further noted that in the current financial year, an initial amount of ₹10 crore has already been released by the Ministry, with assurances of additional funding upon utilisation. “The Government of India is fully committed to improving the livelihoods and welfare of fish farmers in the Union Territory,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
The funding forms part of a broader push by the Centre to enhance fisheries infrastructure, promote sustainable aquaculture and generate employment opportunities, particularly in rural and high-altitude areas of Jammu and Kashmir.
Earlier this month, the Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying organised a first-of-its-kind National Conference on Cold Water Fisheries at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar. The conference brought together policymakers, scientists and stakeholders to explore strategies for harnessing the vast potential of cold-water fisheries in Himalayan regions.
Jammu and Kashmir, along with other hill states, possesses rich natural resources including rivers, streams, lakes and reservoirs that support more than 278 species of cold-water fish. These ecosystems offer significant scope for livelihood generation, nutritional security and biodiversity conservation.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), the Centre has sanctioned investments worth ₹2,299.56 crore for cold-water states to modernise infrastructure, expand hatcheries, improve seed and feed systems, and strengthen cold-chain and transport networks.
Officials said these interventions are aimed at building a technology-driven aquaculture ecosystem, enhancing production capacity and supporting income generation for fish farmers. Over the past decade, trout production in India has grown significantly, although the country still relies on imports of premium fish such as salmon and trout, indicating scope for further expansion.
The government’s National Vision for Cold Water Fisheries 2030 seeks to double production of key species such as trout and mahseer while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities in remote and mountainous regions.
In addition to infrastructure development, innovative measures such as the use of drone technology for fish transport are being explored to improve market access and reduce spoilage in difficult terrains.
With a comprehensive investment framework exceeding ₹39,000 crore across multiple schemes, including PMMSY and other flagship programmes, the Centre aims to transform the fisheries sector into a major driver of rural economy, particularly in regions like Jammu and Kashmir.
The latest funding and policy push are expected to provide a major boost to fish farmers in the Union Territory, enhancing productivity, strengthening supply chains and ensuring long-term economic sustainability.
