Anantnag youth find success in fish farming amid unemployment crisiss

Srinagar, Feb 13: As Jammu and Kashmir grapples with the ongoing unemployment crisis, many youths in the region have found success through innovative welfare schemes, particularly in the emerging sector of fish farming. This industry is not only transforming the lives of individuals but also contributing to the growth of the ‘blue economy’ in Anantnag.
In 2018, Abid Shah, a former medical gas operator in the Health Department at GMC Anantnag, made a life-changing decision to leave his government job and pursue his passion for fish farming. Living in Iqbal Abad, Anantnag, Abid set his sights on creating a successful trout fish farm, determined to provide jobs for others rather than seek employment for himself.
Since then, Abid’s venture has flourished, and he now employs six people year-round, with many more hired seasonally. In June 2021, he established a fish farm in his village after participating in a training program provided by the Fisheries Department.
“Many people are unaware of the opportunities available in fish farming. It’s one of the best sectors for employment, and more youth should come forward to explore it,” Abid said. He added that those with access to water sources and land should take advantage of the schemes offered by the Fisheries Department.
Abid’s farm was set up under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), a scheme that supports employment generation in the fisheries sector by providing subsidies for fish farm establishment. Abid sells the trout fish in local markets, highlighting the potential of fish farming as a sustainable business for young entrepreneurs.
He was able to set up the fish farm with the help of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojna (PMMSY) which has spurred employment by subsidizing fish farms, enabling beneficiaries to reap rewards of their hard work.
Abid’s success is not an isolated case. In 2010, Hamidullah from Verinag also took the plunge into fish farming, and today, he earns between Rs 20-25 lakhs annually from selling trout fish, with his farm producing around 24 quintals of fish every year.
Hamidullah’s journey began after attending an awareness program organized by the Fisheries Department in his area. The department provided him with financial assistance, along with a 100% subsidy on seed and feed. Initially starting alone, Hamidullah now employs four workers, including two non-local laborers who work year-round. “It’s a business that requires extra care and attention, but the market value is high, and we are very satisfied with the returns,” Hamidullah shared. Before venturing into fish farming, Hamidullah worked at a private school but struggled to meet his family’s needs. Now, his fish farm not only sustains him but also generates employment for others.
“It’s livestock and requires extra care and precautions. It has a good market value, and we are very satisfied with the business,” he said.
Before setting up the farm, he used to work in a private school and he would hardly meet his family needs. He had never thought that an idea can change his life forever and could generate employment for others.
Later, Hamidullah developed the fish farm and started hatching and breeding process there which helped him and gave him extra income.
These fish farmers over time have gained a lot of experience in rearing the trout fish and are playing a vital role in catering the demand of fish of the local population of that area.
Assistant Director, Fisheries, Anantnag, Shabir Ahmad said the Department of Fisheries J&K, encourages young entrepreneurs to establish trout fish farming units.
“There are two aspects of fisheries that is private and public sector. Earlier, it was restricted to public sector unto 2028-19. However, we had easy availability of trout feed and seed which were important to boost fisheries industry,” he said.
Earlier, under the ‘blue revolution’ they got small hatcheries and seed manufacturing units in different places of the valley.
However, the Government of India launched Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) to establish a comprehensive framework and reduce infrastructural gaps in the fisheries sector on 5 July 2019.
“Under the scheme, we have established some 300 units in the private sector. Our production is rising by 50-60 metric tons per annum besides the government sector,” he said.
The AD Fisheries said under the Holistic Agriculture Development Program (HADP) they have given 40 units and two hatchers in the private sector.
“Now the beneficiaries are self-sufficient as they have feed and seed. This year we are going to set up some state-of-the-art units,” he said.
“Earlier, we had production of 100 metric tonnes before PMMSY but today it has gone up to 400-500 metric tonnes. There is proportionate growth. We want to utilize the water resources so that unemployed youth can create employment opportunities,” he said.
The fisheries sector in India is a significant source of livelihood for millions of fishers and farmers, providing both food and employment across the country. In Kashmir, this sector is increasingly seen as a key solution to unemployment, offering sustainable opportunities for local youth to become job providers and economic contributors.